5 Baseball Players who Played for Royals and Tigers
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 Detroit Tigers.
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 Tigers.
Omar Infante
Omar Infante made his MLB debut in 2002 with the Detroit Tigers, where he spent the early part of his career. Over the years, he played for various teams including the Atlanta Braves, Florida/Miami Marlins, Detroit Tigers (in a second stint), and Kansas City Royals.
One of the highlights of Infante’s career came while he was with the Kansas City Royals. He was a member of the Royals team that won the World Series in 2015, securing the championship by defeating the New York Mets.
Throughout his career, Infante was known for his solid defense, his ability to make contact at the plate, and his overall consistency. Outside of MLB, he also represented Venezuela in international competitions, including the World Baseball Classic.
*Infante was the most popular pick for this square in a previous grid (Grid 133)
Infante Key Stats
- All-Star (Braves)
- World Series Championship (Royals)
- .300 Batting Average Season (Tigers, Braves)
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.
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.
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)
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.
Hal Morris
Hal Morris was a steady first baseman in baseball from 1988 to 2000, best known for his time with the Reds. Morris was part of the Reds’ World Series-winning team in 1990 and was known for his consistent hitting, maintaining a solid .304 career batting average.
You probably remember him, like I do, in a Reds uniform where he played for 10 years, but he also had stops with the Yankees, Royals and Tigers.
