7 Baseball Players who Played for Padres and Pirates
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 Pittsburgh Pirates.
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 on both the Padres and the Pirates.
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.
*Hill was the most popular pick for this square in a previous grid (Grid 136)
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.
Jason Bay
Jason Bay, a Canadian-born outfielder, had a successful career in Major League Baseball from 2003 to 2013. Notably, Bay had successful stints with the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates, where he showed his power at the plate.
Bay kicked off his career with a bang, winning the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2004 while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was selected to the All-Star team three times (Pirates, Red Sox) and hit over 200 home runs in his career.
John Vander Wal
John Vander Wal, a journeyman outfielder and first baseman, played in the Major Leagues from 1991 to 2004 for eight different teams, most notably the Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies.
Vander Wal was renowned for his pinch-hitting skills, setting a single-season record with 28 pinch-hits for the Rockies in 1995. Over his career, he accumulated over 700 hits, 97 home runs, and a career batting average of .261.
Although he never reached superstar status, Vander Wal’s ability to consistently deliver hits off the bench made him a valuable asset for many teams throughout his career.
Al Martin
Al Martin played as an outfielder from 1992 to 2003. He spent most of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but also played for the San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Over his 11-year career, he batted .276 with 132 home runs and 485 RBIs. Martin was known for his consistent hitting and speed on the bases, stealing a career total of 173 bases.
He had a career-best year in 1996 with the Pirates, where he batted .300 with 18 home runs, 72 RBIs and 38 stolen bases.
Jeff Suppan
Jeff Suppan played for 7 different teams (Royals, Cardinals, Red Sox, Brewers, Diamondbacks, Pirates, Padres) over his 17-year career. Suppan was known for his consistent performance on the mound, amassing over 140 wins in his career.
His most successful stint came with the Cardinals, where he played a crucial role in their 2006 World Series run, earning the NLCS MVP for his stellar performance.
Despite not being a big strikeout pitcher, Suppan was a dependable arm in the rotation, providing valuable innings for his teams over a lengthy career.
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.
