6 Baseball PLayers who Played for Padres 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 San Diego Padres 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.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Padres and the Rangers.
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)
*Cruz has previously been the most popular pick for this square (Grid 97).
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 pick in a previous grid (Grid 97) for the Rangers / Padres square.
Gary Matthews jr
Gary Matthews Jr., the son of former Major League player Gary Matthews, was an outfielder with a career spanning from 1999 to 2010. Known for his agility and speed, he played for seven teams during his career including the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels.
A standout year for Matthews Jr. was 2006 with the Rangers, where he hit .313 with 19 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 102 runs, leading to his only All-Star selection. His career totals include a .257 batting average, 108 home runs, and 484 RBIs.
Matthews Jr. is perhaps best remembered for an incredible over-the-wall catch in 2006 while with the Rangers, a highlight that still plays in baseball reels today.
Adrian Gonzalez
Adrian Gonzalez, who played from 2004 to 2018, made his mark as a first baseman primarily with the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers. However, he also suited up for the Rangers, Red Sox and Mets in his 15 year career.
Gonzalez was a formidable player, notching over 2,000 hits, 317 home runs, and maintaining a .287 career batting average. He was a five-time All-Star (Padres, Red Sox, Dodgers) and won four Gold Glove Awards (Padres, Red Sox, Dodgers), solidifying his reputation as both a powerful hitter and excellent fielder.
Even though he’s probably best known as a Padre or Dodger, his best season arguably came in 2011 with the Red Sox when he hit .338 (led the majors with 213 hits) with 27 home runs and 117 RBIs.
Ken Caminiti
Ken Caminiti, who played from 1987 to 2001, is best remembered for his time as a third baseman with the Houston Astros and the San Diego Padres.
Caminiti had a significant career, with 983 RBIs, 239 home runs, and a .272 career batting average. His defining season was 1996 with the Padres, when he hit .326 with 40 home runs and 130 RBIs, earning him the National League MVP title.
Caminiti was a three-time All-Star (Astros, Padres) and a three-time Gold Glove winner (Padres), reflecting his high-level performance on both offense and defense.
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.
