8 Baseball Players who Played for Nationals and Rangers
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 that have played for both the Washington Nationals (formerly Montreal Expos) and the Texas Rangers
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.
Here are players who played on both the Nationals and Rangers:
Popular Choices
Players in this tier will most likely be popular picks based on the impact they made with both clubs and/or how recently they suited up for both the Nationals and Rangers.
Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer, known for his distinctive different-colored eyes, has been a force to reckon with in baseball since he started in 2008. He’s played for several teams, including the Diamondbacks, Tigers, Nationals, Dodgers and Mets.
Scherzer’s a three-time Cy Young Award winner and played a crucial role in the Nationals’ World Series win in 2019.
Scherzer is still active (as of 2023) and has over 3,000 strikeouts with a career-high of 300 in 2018 with the Nationals. Despite moving around a bit, Max has consistently been a top-tier pitcher in the majors.
*Scherzer was the most popular player for this square in a previous grid (Grid 145)
Ivan Rodriguez
Ivan Rodriguez, also known as “Pudge”, was a beast in baseball from 1991 to 2011. He played for 6 different teams over his career including the Rangers, Tigers, Nationals, Yankees, Astros and Marlins. Rodriguez was a key player in the Marlins’ 2003 World Series win.
He chalked up over 2,800 hits, and hit over 300 home runs in his career with a single-season best 35 home runs in 1999 – his MVP year. Rodriguez made the All-Star team 14 times and won an impressive 13 Gold Gloves for his standout defensive skills.
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017, Pudge is often considered one of the best catchers the game has ever seen.
Rodriguez Key Stats
- Hall of Fame (Rangers, Tigers, Nationals, Yankees, Astros, Marlins)
- MVP (Rangers)
- All-Star (Rangers, Tigers)
- Gold Glove (Rangers, Tigers)
- Silver Slugger (Rangers, Tigers)
- World Series Champ (Marlins)
- 100+ RBI Season (Rangers)
Rare Choices
These players are generally well-remembered as being with one of the teams, but not necessarily both.
Nelson Cruz
Nelson Cruz is in his 19th season in the major leagues. He has played for 8 different teams over that span including the Rangers, Mariners, Twins, Rays, Padres, Nationals, Orioles and Brewers.
Cruz has had a ton of success throughout his career including 7 All-Star appearances (Rangers, Orioles, Mariners, Twins) and 4 Silver Slugger awards (Mariners, Twins).
He’s gone over 40 home runs twice in his career (Orioles, Mariners) and over 100 RBIs in 4 different seasons (Orioles, Mariners, Twins).
Cruz Key Stats
- All-Star (Rangers, Orioles, Mariners, Twins)
- Silver Slugger (Mariners, Twins)
- 40+ Home Run Season (Orioles, Mariners, Twins)
- 100+ RBI Season (Orioles, Mariners, Twins)
Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Guerrero was a big deal in baseball from 1996 to 2011, playing mostly for the Expos and Angels – but also with Rangers and Orioles. Known for his free-swinging style and rocket arm in right field, Guerrero earned the MVP title in 2004 while with the Angels.
Over his career, he smashed over 440 home runs, maintained a stellar .318 batting average, and stole more than 180 bases. He was also selected for the All-Star game nine times. Guerrero was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.
Andres Galarraga
Andres Galarraga, who played from 1985 to 2004, is best known for his time as a first baseman with the Expos and Rockies. However, he also played for 5 other clubs including the Giants, Braves, Rangers, Angels and Cardinals.
Galarraga was a powerhouse at the plate, amassing over 2,300 hits, 399 home runs, and a .288 career batting average. In ’93 he led the majors with a .370 batting average and in ’96 Galarraga hit 47 home runs and led the majors with 150 RBIs.
Galarraga, nicknamed “The Big Cat” for his quick reflexes at first base, was a five-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner.
Ultra Rare Choices
Players in this tier are generally not associated with either the Nationals or the Rangers. Or, they may be good, but under the radar (and usually 90s) players who were personal favorites.
Matt Stairs
Matt Stairs had a lengthy Major League career that spanned from 1992 to 2011, during which he played for 12 different teams, essentially making him an Immaculate Grid Hall-of-Famer.
Known for his power-hitting abilities, primarily as a pinch-hitter, he hit 265 home runs over his career and holds the record for the most pinch-hit home runs in MLB history with 23. Stairs had a career batting average of .262 with an OPS of .832, and recorded 899 RBIs.
Notably, in the 2008 postseason with the Philadelphia Phillies, he hit one of the most famous home runs in Phillies history, helping the team move onto the World Series that year.
Otis Nixon
Otis Nixon was a speedy outfielder whose career went from 1983 to 1999. Over those 17 seasons, Nixon played for 9 different teams – Braves, Indians (now Guardians), Montreal Expos, Blue Jays, Twins, Red Sox, Rangers, Dodgers and Yankees.
Nixon wasn’t a big hitter, but he was a whiz on the basepaths, stealing over 620 bases during his career and maintaining a respectable .270 batting average. He’s best remembered for his daring steals and spectacular catches, including an unforgettable game-saving grab in 1992 while with the Braves (video above).
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.
Immaculate Grid FAQ
Can I Use Montreal Expo players for Washington National squares?
Yes. The Montreal Expos moved to Washington in 2005 to form the Washington Nationals. Former Expo players can be played in National squares – I’ve tried it myself.
