5 Baseball Players who Played for Orioles 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 that have played for both the Baltimore Orioles 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 Orioles and the Twins.
Rick Dempsey
Rick Dempsey, a notable catcher in Major League Baseball, had a long-lasting career from 1969 to 1992, playing for several teams but most prominently with the Baltimore Orioles.
Dempsey was known for his solid defensive skills behind the plate, catching more than 1500 games in his career. His career highlight came in the 1983 World Series when he was named the Most Valuable Player after hitting .385 with a home run and four doubles, leading the Orioles to the championship.
Although his career batting average was .233, his knack for clutch hitting, leadership, and defensive prowess made him a valuable asset to his teams.
J.J. Hardy
J.J. Hardy is known for his time as a shortstop in Major League Baseball. Originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the second round of the 2001 draft, Hardy also played with the Minnesota Twins and the Baltimore Orioles during his career.
Across his 13-year career, Hardy maintained a batting average of .256, hit 188 home runs, and drove in 688 runs.
He was also recognized for his defensive skills, winning three Gold Glove Awards (Orioles) in 2012, 2013, and 2014. In addition, Hardy was selected to the All-Star game twice (Brewers, Orioles), in 2007 and 2013 and a Silver Slugger winner once (Orioles).
Jorge Lopez
Jorge López initially came up with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2015 and later made his impact with the Royals, Orioles and now Twins.
As of the end of the 2022 season, López has maintained an ERA hovering a little over 5.00, while showing some flashes of brilliance, including a near-perfect game in 2018 against the Minnesota Twins while with the Royals.
In 2022, while splitting time with the Orioles and Twins, Lopez had arguably his best season with an ERA of 2.54 and 72 strikeouts – earning him his only spot in the All-Star game.
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.
