6 Baseball Players who Played for Mets and Twins
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players who have played for both the New York Mets and Minnesota Twins.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Mets and the Twins.
Frank Viola
Frank Viola, also known by his nickname “Sweet Music”, had a 15-year career in Major League Baseball, primarily as a starting pitcher. He began his career with the Minnesota Twins in 1982, and played with them until 1989. He then played for the Mets, Red Sox, Reds, and Blue Jays.
During his career, Viola recorded a win-loss record of 176-150, an earned run average (ERA) of 3.73, and struck out 1844 batters.
One of the highlights of his career came in 1987 when he led the Twins to a World Series victory and was named the World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP). He also won the Cy Young Award in 1988.
Viola Key Stats
- Cy Young (Twins)
- All-Star (Twins, Mets)
- 20+ Win Season (Twins, Mets)
Rick Aguilera
Rick Aguilera had a solid 16 year career, best known for his time as a relief pitcher with the Twins. In addition to the Twins, Aguilera also played for the Mets, Cubs and Red Sox.
Transitioning from a starting role to the bullpen, Aguilera amassed over 300 saves in his career including two seasons (’91 and ’92) with over 40. He was a three-time All-Star and consistently among the best closers in the game during his peak.
Luis Castillo
Luis Castillo carved a distinguished career in Major League Baseball primarily as a second baseman. Making his MLB debut in 1996, for the Florida Marlins, Castillo quickly became known for his agility, speed, and consistency, both at bat and in the field.
He played a significant part of his career with the Marlins (where he won a World Series ring in 2003), later joining the New York Mets and the Minnesota Twins, with his career spanning from 1996 to 2010.
He maintained a .290 career batting average and accumulated 1889 hits and 370 stolen bases, highlighting his speed and skill on the base paths. Defensively, he was exceptional, earning three consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 2003 to 2005. His accolades also include three MLB All-Star Game appearances.
Castillo Key Stats
- World Series Champ (Marlins)
- All-Star (Marlins)
- Gold Glove (Marlins)
- .300+ Batting Avg Season (Marlins, Twins, Mets)
- 30+ Stolen Base Season (Marlins)
Bartolo Colon
Bartolo Colon, affectionately known as “Big Sexy”, was a fixture on the mound in baseball from 1997 until 2018. He played for a whole bunch of teams (11), which makes him an extremely versatile player for the Immaculate Grid.
Colon’s career stops included the Indians (now Guardians), Dodgers, Mets, Athletics, White Sox, Twins, Braves, Red Sox, Rangers, Montreal Expos and Yankees.
Colon was a 4-time All-Star and even bagged a Cy Young Award in 2005. He had over 240 wins and more than 2,500 strikeouts.
Colon Key Stats
- Cy Young (Angels)
- All-Star (Indians, Angels, Athletics, Mets)
- 20+ Win Season (Angels)
LaTroy Hawkins
LaTroy Hawkins had a lengthy career in Major League Baseball as a reliable relief pitcher. Over his 21-year career from 1995 to 2015, he played for 11 different teams, including the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, and Colorado Rockies.
Throughout his career, Hawkins made 1042 appearances, mostly from the bullpen, and recorded 127 saves. He accumulated a win-loss record of 75-94 with a respectable ERA of 4.31, and struck out 983 batters.
Even though he was never named an All-Star, his consistent performance and durability in a high-pressure role were valued highly by the teams he played for.
Rich Hill
Rich Hill is an Immaculate Grid beast. The left-handed pitcher has played for 13 different clubs over his incredible 19-year career – one that is still ongoing as I’m writing this (he’s currently pitching with the Padres).
Hill’s MLB journey began when he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2002. After making his major league debut in 2005, he had initial success with the Cubs, particularly in 2007 when he had a standout season. However, injuries, inconsistency, and command issues led to him bouncing around the minors and various MLB teams for several years.
After refining his pitching approach and mechanics, he experienced a career resurgence starting in 2015. At an age when many players see diminished returns, Hill became one of the most effective starters in baseball. This late-career renaissance led to stints with the Red Sox, Athletics, Dodgers, Twins, and Rays.
