10 Baseball Players Who Played for the A’s 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 Oakland A’s 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 on both the A’s and the Yankees.
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson was one of my favorite baseball players growing up. In fact, somewhere in a closet, I have a baseball card binder with over 150 Rickey Henderson baseball cards.
Most of us probably remember Henderson as an Oakland A, back in the late 80s playing on the same A’s teams as the Bash Brothers.
But, he played for an incredible 25 years in the majors and played on 9 different teams during that span.
Rickey played 14 years with the A’s, but he also played for the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, LA Dodgers, Anaheim Angels, Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays.
So, not only is he an acceptable answer for a player who played for both the A’s and the Yankees, but Rickey Henderson is a very versatile Immaculate Grid answer that you can use quite often.
In fact, he also had over 1400 career stolen bases, over 2200 runs and over 3000 hits (all of which could appear as possible categories).
Hideki Matsui
Hideki Matsui, known affectionately as “Godzilla,” was a prolific player in Major League Baseball from 2003 to 2012, following a successful career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.
Most known for his time with the New York Yankees, Matsui made an immediate impact with his power hitting. He ended his MLB career with a .282 batting average, 175 home runs, and over 760 RBIs.
He was named to two All-Star teams (Yankees) and is perhaps most celebrated for his performance in the 2009 World Series, where he was named Most Valuable Player after hitting .615 with three home runs and eight RBIs in six games.
Ruben Sierra
Ruben Sierra, a switch-hitting outfielder and designated hitter, played in Major League Baseball from 1986 to 2006, most notably for the Texas Rangers. Over his two-decade career, Sierra racked up over 2100 hits, 306 home runs, and a batting average of .268.
He made four All-Star teams (Rangers, A’s), won the Silver Slugger Award in 1989 (A’s), and finished second in the AL MVP voting that same year. A key highlight was his 1991 season with the Rangers, where he posted 25 homers and a career-high 116 RBIs.
Eric Chavez
Eric Chavez, a standout third baseman, had a strong career in Major League Baseball from 1998 to 2014. Chavez made his mark primarily with the Oakland Athletics, where he won six consecutive Gold Glove Awards for his exceptional defensive abilities.
He was also a solid offensive player, hitting over 250 home runs and maintaining a career batting average of .268. He even won a Silver Slugger award with the A’s in 2002.
Despite dealing with numerous injuries that hindered his performance in the later part of his career, Chavez’s combination of stellar defense and power at the plate left a lasting impact, and he remains one of the more notable third basemen of his era.
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)
Josh Donaldson
Josh Donaldson is in his 13th season in the majors and is currently playing third base for the Yankees. Prior to landing with the Yankees, Donaldson played for the Blue Jays, A’s, Twins, Guardians and Braves.
Donaldson is a 3x All-Star (A’s, Blue Jays) and a 2x Silver Slugger award winner (Blue Jays). In 2015, Donaldson led the league with 123 RBIs while hitting 41 home runs en route to winning the AL MVP with the Blue Jays.
Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday was a big-time player in baseball from 2004 to 2018. He started with the Rockies, had a nice run with the Cardinals, but also had brief stints with the A’s and Yankees.
Holliday was a beast at the plate and played a huge role in the Cardinals’ World Series win in 2011.
He hit over 300 home runs and maintained a strong .299 batting average throughout his career. He made the All-Star team seven times.
Bartolo Colon
Bartolo Colon, affectionately known as “Big Sexy”, was a fixture on the mound in baseball from 1997 until 2018. He played for a whole bunch of teams (11), which makes him an extremely versatile player for the Immaculate Grid.
Colon’s career stops included the Indians (now Guardians), Dodgers, Mets, Athletics, White Sox, Twins, Braves, Red Sox, Rangers, Montreal Expos and Yankees.
Colon was a 4-time All-Star and even bagged a Cy Young Award in 2005. He had over 240 wins and more than 2,500 strikeouts.
Ted Lilly
Ted Lilly pitched for 6 different clubs in his 15-year career, including the Dodgers, Cubs, Yankees, Blue Jays, A’s and Expos.
Lilly was a consistent performer on the mound, racking up over 130 wins and more than 1,600 strikeouts in his career. His ability to mix pitches and locations made him a tough matchup for hitters.
He was a two-time All-Star and his reliability made him a mainstay in Major League rotations for over a decade and possibly one of the greatest #2 pitchers of all time.
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.
