7 Baseball Players who Played for Pirates and Phillies
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 Philadelphia Phillies.
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 the Phillies.
Pirates and Phillies
Here’s a mix of well-known All-stars and some under-the-radar gems you may have forgotten about.
Andrew McCutchen
Andrew McCutchen is widely recognized for his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he established himself as one of the league’s premier players. Making his MLB debut in 2009 with the Pirates, McCutchen quickly became the face of the franchise and was known for his blend of power, speed, and defensive prowess in center field.
During his tenure in Pittsburgh, he amassed several accolades, including being named an All-Star five times and winning the National League MVP award in 2013. His leadership and on-field excellence were pivotal in leading the Pirates to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2013 to 2015, breaking a long postseason drought for the team.
After Pittsburgh, McCutchen went on to play for teams like the Giants, Yankees, Phillies and Brewers. Throughout his career, McCutchen’s energetic play, charismatic personality, and community involvement have endeared him to fans and peers alike.
McCutchen Key Stats
- MVP (Pirates)
- Gold Glove (Pirates)
- Silver Slugger (Pirates)
- .300 Batting Average Season (Pirates)
Andy Van Slyke
Andy Van Slyke played from 1983 to 1995 and is best known for his time as a center fielder with the Pirates. However, he played for 3 other teams in his career including the Cardinals, Phillies and Orioles.
Van Slyke was an excellent all-around player, earning five Gold Glove Awards for his exceptional defensive skills and making three All-Star appearances.
Over his career, he compiled over 1,500 hits, 164 home runs, and nearly 250 stolen bases. His best season was probably in 1988 with the Pirates when he batted .288 with 25 home runs, 100 RBIs and led the majors with 15 triples (He finished 4th in the MVP voting that year).
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.
Josh Harrison
Josh Harrison is well-known for his versatility on the field. He has played as a utility player, filling in at multiple positions including second base, third base, and in the outfield throughout his MLB career.
Harrison started his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011, and his ability to excel in multiple positions soon made him a key asset for the team. He was named to the MLB All-Star team twice while with the Pirates, in 2014 and 2017.
His best season (so far) came in 2014 when he posted a .315 batting average with 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases, earning him a 9th-place finish in National League MVP voting.
Charlie Morton
Charlie Morton is in his 16th year in the majors and is currently pitching for the Atlanta Braves. He has played for 5 different teams over his long career thus far including the Pirates, Rays, Astros and Phillies.
Morton has been a solid player throughout his career, racking up 125 wins, over 1800 strikeouts and a 4.00 ERA (as of this writing). He’s also made two All-Star appearances (Astros, Rays) and two World Series rings – Astros in 2017 and Braves in 2021.
Fun Fact: Morton has the interesting distinction of having led the league four different times in ‘Hits by Pitch’.
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.
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.
