5 Baseball Players who Played for Royals and Yankees
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 the New York Yankees.
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 the Yankees.
Popular Choices
Aroldis Chapman
Aroldis Chapman, nicknamed “The Cuban Missile,” is a pitcher known for his blazing fastball, which has been clocked as high as 105 miles per hour. Chapman made his debut with Cincinnati and was an integral part of the Reds’ bullpen, earning multiple All-Star selections during his tenure with the team.
In late 2015, he was traded to the New York Yankees, but his time in New York was initially short-lived. In mid-2016, Chapman was traded to the Chicago Cubs, where he played a key role in helping the Cubs win the World Series, their first in over 100 years.
After that season, Chapman went back to the Yankees where he continued to have major success, including three additional All-Star selections.
Chapman Key Stats
- All-Star (Reds, Yankees)
- World Series Champ (Cubs)
*Chapman has been the most popular pick for a previous grid featuring the Yankees / Royals square.
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)
Rare Choices
Most fans will generally remember these guys in either a Royals uniform or a Yankees one, but probably not both.
Chuck Knoblauch
Chuck Knoblauch was an infielder and had an accomplished career from 1991 to 2002. Known for his tenure with the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees, he was a significant contributor to four World Series-winning teams (1991 with the Twins and 1998, 1999, 2000 with the Yankees).
He achieved a .289 career batting average and amassed 1819 hits and 407 stolen bases. In addition, Knoblauch won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 1991 and was selected for the All-Star game four times.
Knoblauch Key Stats
- Rookie of the Year (Twins)
- All-Star (Twins)
- Golden Glove (Twins)
- Silver Slugger (Twins)
- 40+ Stolen Bases Season (Twins)
- .300+ Batting Average Season (Twins)
Carlos Beltran
Carlos Beltran is a 9-time all-star who played an incredible 20 years in major league baseball. Over his 20-year career, he played for 7 different teams – 2 of which were the Royals and the Mets.
Over his career, Beltran won Rookie of the Year in 1999 with the Royals and 3 Gold Gloves with the Mets (’06, ’07 and ’08)
Beltran also played for the New York Yankees, St Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants – making him an extremely versatile Immaculate Grid answer.
Beltran Key Stats
- Rookie of the Year (Royals)
- All-Star (Astros, Mets, Cardinals, Yankees)
- Gold Glove (Mets)
- Silver Slugger (Mets)
- 40+ Home Run Season (Mets)
- 100+ RBI Season (Royals, Mets)
- 40+ Stolen Base Season (Royals)
Ultra Rare
Chance for an extremely low rarity score here, but be prepared to defend yourself as to ‘how you knew that’.
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.
