5 Baseball Players who Played for the Pirates and Orioles
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 Baltimore Orioles.
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 Orioles.
Bobby Bonilla
Bobby Bonilla was a big-hitter whose career spanned from 1986 to 2001, playing for 8 different teams over that time. You may know him as a Pirate, Met or Marlin but he also played for the Orioles, Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers and White Sox.
Bonilla helped the Marlins grab a World Series ring in ’97. He hit over 280 home runs and 400 doubles during his career. He was a six-time All-Star.
But what he’s most famous for is his contract with the Mets, who still pay him over a million bucks every July 1 (known as “Bobby Bonilla Day”) due to a deferred payment deal. So even though there were some bumps, Bonilla definitely made a mark in baseball, both on and off the field.
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).
Doug Drabek
Doug Drabek pitched in the MLB from 1986 to 1998. He is most recognized for his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros.
With a record of 155-134 over 398 starts, he accumulated over 1500 strikeouts and a career 3.73 ERA. A highlight of his career was earning the Cy Young Award in 1990, winning 22 games with the Pirates.
He also made an All-Star appearance in 1994 with the Astros and recorded 53 complete games and 21 shutouts, demonstrating his endurance and dominance on the mound.
Steve Pearce
Steve Pearce is a player who made a name for himself as a utility player capable of performing at various positions, most notably at first base and in the outfield.
Pearce played for several teams during his MLB career, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, and Boston Red Sox. However, it was with the Red Sox that he had the defining moment of his career.
After joining the Red Sox mid-season in 2018, Pearce played a crucial role in their postseason run. He was named the World Series Most Valuable Player as the Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pearce had several key hits throughout the Series, including three home runs and eight RBIs.
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.
