8 Baseball Players who Played for Royals and Red Sox
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 Kansas City Royals and Boston Red Sox.
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 Royals and Red Sox.
Johnny Damon
Johnny Damon had a successful 18-year Major League Baseball career, most notably with the Kansas City Royals, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees. A talented outfielder and proficient leadoff hitter, he recorded a .284 career batting average with 2769 hits, 235 home runs, and 408 stolen bases.
Damon’s speed and ability to get on base were valuable assets, helping both the Red Sox in 2004 and the Yankees in 2009 secure World Series Championships.
Known for his affable personality and distinctive long hair and beard during his time with the Red Sox, Damon was a fan favorite and an influential figure in the clubhouse. He was named to the All-Star team twice, in 2002 and 2005.
Damon Key Stats
- All-Star (Red Sox)
- 40+ Stolen Base Season (Royals)
Bret Saberhagen
Bret Saberhagen, who had an exceptional career from 1984 to 2001, shone as a starting pitcher for the Royals, Mets, Red Sox and Rockies. Saberhagen was a dominant force on the mound, winning the Cy Young Award twice with the Royals in 1985 and 1989.
He was also instrumental in leading the Royals to a World Series championship in 1985, earning the Series MVP award. Over his career, Saberhagen accumulated 167 wins (career high of 23 in 1989), more than 1,700 strikeouts, and maintained a strong 3.34 career ERA.
His no-hitter in 1991 and three All-Star appearances further underscore his noteworthy career in the Major Leagues.
Eric Hosmer
Eric Hosmer is in his 13th season in the majors. He’s spent most of that time with the Royals (7 years) and Padres (5 years), but has also played for the Cubs and the Red Sox.
Hosmer is a 4-time Gold Glove award winner and was an All-Star in 2016 (all with the Royals). His best season may actually have been in 2017 though when he hit over .300 while racking up 192 hits and 25 home runs.
Because of his talent and the recency he has played for multiple different teams, Hosmer will be a popular pick for multiple grid squares.
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.
Coco Crisp
Coco Crisp was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh round of the 1999 MLB Draft and went on to play in the big leagues for 15 seasons. Crisp had memorable stops with the Indians, Red Sox, and Athletics.
In 2007, as a member of the Red Sox, he won the World Series, contributing significantly with his base running and fielding. While with Oakland, Crisp led the American League in stolen bases in 2011 with 49.
Over his career, Crisp compiled a batting average of .265, along with 130 home runs, 639 RBIs, and 309 stolen bases. Known for his energetic play and unique name, Crisp remains a fan favorite in the cities where he played.
Hideo Nomo
Hideo Nomo was a trailblazing pitcher who played from 1995 to 2008. Best known for his time with the Dodgers, he also played for one year each with the Royals, Rays, Mets, Red Sox, Tigers and Brewers.
Nomo was the first Japanese player in the MLB in the modern era and he immediately made a splash, earning the Rookie of the Year award in 1995.
Known for his distinctive “tornado” delivery, Nomo racked up over 120 wins and more than 1,900 strikeouts during his career including a National League leading 236 in his rookie season.
He also threw two no-hitters, one of them in the notoriously hitter-friendly Coors Field.
Jonny Gomes
Jonny Gomes, who played from 2003 to 2015, is best known for his time as an outfielder with the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox.
In his 13-year career, Gomes accumulated over 800 hits, hit 162 home runs, and maintained a .242 career batting average. A key figure in the clubhouse, he was part of the 2013 World Series-winning Red Sox team and is remembered for his pivotal home run in Game 4 of the series.
His best season came in 2005 with the Rays when he hit .282 with 21 home runs and 54 RBIs.
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.
