6 Baseball Players who Played for Pirates and Dodgers
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 Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers.
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 Pirates and Dodgers.
Kirk Gibson
Kirk Gibson, an outfielder best known for his time with the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers, played in the Major Leagues from 1979 to 1995.
Over his career, he racked up over 1500 hits, 255 home runs, and a .268 batting average. But, Gibson may be most remembered for his postseason heroics, including his dramatic, limping walk-off home run for the Dodgers in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
He also won the National League MVP (and a Silver Slugger) in 1988 with the Dodgers.
Al Oliver
Al Oliver, an outstanding outfielder and first baseman, was a dominant force in Major League Baseball from 1968 to 1985. He played for several teams but is best remembered for his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Oliver collected more than 2700 hits in his career, with a remarkable .303 lifetime batting average. He was a seven-time All-Star (Pirates, Rangers, Expos), won three Silver Slugger awards (Rangers, Expos), and helped the Pirates capture the World Series title in 1971.
Despite his impressive stats, Oliver is often overlooked in discussions of the greatest hitters of his era, but his consistent excellence at the plate secured his legacy in the sport.
Bobby Bonilla
Bobby Bonilla was a big-hitter whose career spanned from 1986 to 2001, playing for 8 different teams over that time. You may know him as a Pirate, Met or Marlin but he also played for the Orioles, Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers and White Sox.
Bonilla helped the Marlins grab a World Series ring in ’97. He hit over 280 home runs and 400 doubles during his career. He was a six-time All-Star.
But what he’s most famous for is his contract with the Mets, who still pay him over a million bucks every July 1 (known as “Bobby Bonilla Day”) due to a deferred payment deal. So even though there were some bumps, Bonilla definitely made a mark in baseball, both on and off the field.
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David Freese
David Freese played college baseball at the University of South Alabama before being drafted by the San Diego Padres in the ninth round of the 2006 MLB Draft. He was later traded to the Cardinals, where he made his major league debut in 2009.
The pinnacle of Freese’s career came during the 2011 postseason. In Game 6 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers, he hit a game-tying triple in the ninth inning and a walk-off home run in the 11th inning, forcing a Game 7, which the Cardinals won.
Freese was named the World Series MVP and the NLCS MVP that year, solidifying his place in baseball lore.
Freese Key Stats
- All-Star (Cardinals)
- World Series Champ (Cardinals)
- .300 Batting Average Season (Cardinals, Dodgers)
Jason Schmidt
Jason Schmidt had an impressive career in Major League Baseball, pitching for various teams like the Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1995 until 2009.
Over the course of his career, Schmidt compiled a 130-96 record with a 3.96 ERA and a total of 1758 strikeouts.
Schmidt was a three-time All-Star (Giants) and finished runner-up in the NL Cy Young Award race in 2003, a season where he posted a 17-5 record with a 2.34 ERA and 208 strikeouts. He also threw a no-hitter on July 18, 2002, for the Pirates against the San Diego Padres.
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.
