10 Baseball Players who Played for Padres and Cubs
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 San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs.
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 Padres and the Cubs.
Joe Carter
When I hear Joe Carter I still picture him in a Toronto Blue Jays uniform running the bases after hitting a walk-off home run to win the World Series in 1993.
In addition to the Blue Jays, Joe Carter played for 5 other teams over his 16-year career – the Indians (now Guardians), Padres, Cubs, Giants and Orioles.
The five-time All-Star (all with the Blue Jays) led the league in RBIs with 121 in 1986 while playing with the Cleveland Indians.
Yu Darvish
Yu Darvish is in his 11th year in the majors. He has played for 4 different clubs during that span including the Rangers, Padres, Cubs and Dodgers.
Darvish has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the game since entering the league in 2012. He’s been a 5x All-Star (Rangers, Padres) and has been the Cy Young runner-up twice (’13 & ’20).
Darvish’s dominance combined with how recently he’s played for multiple teams will make him a popular pick for a few grid squares.
*Darvish was the most popular player for this square in a previous grid (Grid 130)
Greg Maddux
Greg Maddux, who pitched from 1986 to 2008, is renowned for his time with the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves. Known as “The Professor” for his strategic approach to the game, Maddux compiled 355 wins, a 3.16 ERA, and struck out 3,371 batters over his career.
He was an eight-time All-Star (Cubs, Braves) and won an unprecedented four consecutive Cy Young Awards from 1992 to 1995. In addition, he won a remarkable 18 Gold Gloves (Cubs, Braves, Padres), demonstrating his excellent fielding abilities as a pitcher. Maddux was a key part of the Braves’ 1995 World Series win.
His consistent excellence, control, and tactical approach to pitching earned him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.
Benito Santiago
As a young catcher growing up, I remember seeing Benito Santiago throwing players out from his knees and thought it was the coolest thing ever and something I remember imitating in Little League games.
But, that’s not what matters here. What matters is that 5 time All-Star Benito Santiago played for 9 different teams throughout this 20 year career which makes him an absolute force on the Immaculate Grid.
Santiago played for Padres, Giants, Reds, (Florida) Marlins, Blue Jays, Royals, Pirates, Phillies and Cubs.
Jim Edmonds
Jim Edmonds was a superstar in baseball from 1993 to 2010, mostly known for his time with the Angels and Cardinals, but also played for the Padres, Reds, Cubs and Brewers. Edmonds was a serious threat at the plate and a wizard in the outfield, helping the Cardinals snag a World Series ring in 2006.
He hit over 390 home runs and kept a solid .284 batting average throughout his career. Edmonds was selected for the All-Star game four times and earned eight Gold Gloves for his spectacular defensive plays.
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.
RONDELL WHITE
Rondell White, who played from 1993 to 2007, is best known for his time as an outfielder with the Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres.
Over his 15-year career, White notched over 1500 hits, 198 home runs, and maintained a .284 career batting average. He was named an All-Star in 2003 (Padres) and consistently displayed solid offensive production.
White’s most productive season arguably came in 1997 with the Expos when he batted .270 with 28 home runs and 82 RBIs.
Heathcliff Slocumb
You may remember Heathcliff Slocumb as a relief pitcher with the Phillies and Red Sox in the 90s, but he was a bit of a journeyman playing for 8 teams over the course of 10 years. (Cubs, Phillies, Cardinals, Red Sox, Mariners, Padres, Indians (now Guardians), Orioles)
He was a solid reliever with some good seasons and even an all-star appearance while with the Phillies in 1995.
However, he might be best known in baseball lore for being traded from the Red Sox to the Mariners in 1997 for Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek, a deal that later appeared very lopsided in Boston’s favor.
Fred McGriff
Fred McGriff was a powerhouse over his 19-year career in majors. Over that time he played for 6 different teams including the Rays, Braves, Blue Jays, Padres, Cubs and Dodgers.
Earning the nickname “Crime Dog” from Chris Berman, McGriff smashed over 490 home runs (career high of 36 in 1989 with the Blue Jays) and 1500 RBIs.
He was a key player in the Braves’ 1995 World Series win and made the All-Star team five times. McGriff was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023.
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.
