7 Baseball Players who Played for Toronto and Cleveland
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 Toronto Blue Jays and the Cleveland Guardians (previously the Indians).
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 in both Toronto and Cleveland.
Roberto Alomar
Roberto Alomar is the quintessential Immaculate Grid player. Not only did he play for 7 different teams (Blue Jays, Padres, Indians (now Guardians), Orioles, Mets, White Sox and Diamondbacks) he played in All-Star games for 4 of them!
Alomar was an exceptional all-around player, earning 12 All-Star selections, 10 Gold Glove Awards, and 4 Silver Slugger Awards. He amassed over 2,700 hits, scored over 1500 runs and stole over 450 bases.
Alomar was also instrumental in the Blue Jays’ back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.
*Alomar was previously the most popular pick for this square (Grid 114)
Joe Carter
When I hear Joe Carter I still picture him in a Toronto Blue Jays uniform running the bases after hitting a walk-off home run to win the World Series in 1993.
In addition to the Blue Jays, Joe Carter played for 5 other teams over his 16-year career – the Indians (now Guardians), Padres, Cubs, Giants and Orioles.
The five-time All-Star (all with the Blue Jays) led the league in RBIs with 121 in 1986 while playing with the Cleveland Indians.
Dave Winfield
When you have an amazing 22-year career, you usually find your way onto multiple teams over the course of that time.
Dave Winfield played for 6 different teams over the course of his Hall of Fame career – the Yankees, Padres, Twins, Angels (California Angels at the time), Indians (now Guardians) and Blue Jays.
Winfield led the league in RBIs with 118 in 1979 with the Padres (finished 3rd in MVP voting that year). He finished with over 1800 RBIs over his career.
Edwin Encarnacion
Edwin Encarnación, a Dominican player who debuted in 2005, is best recognized for his time as a designated hitter and first baseman with the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians.
Over his impressive career, Encarnación amassed over 1800 hits, belted more than 400 home runs, and maintained a batting average close to .260. He was a three-time All-Star (Blue Jays) and the AL RBI leader, once driving in 127 runs in a season.
His most productive season came in 2012 with the Blue Jays when he hit .280 with 42 home runs and 110 RBIs.
Otis Nixon
Otis Nixon was a speedy outfielder whose career went from 1983 to 1999. Over those 17 seasons, Nixon played for 9 different teams – Braves, Indians (now Guardians), Montreal Expos, Blue Jays, Twins, Red Sox, Rangers, Dodgers and Yankees.
Nixon wasn’t a big hitter, but he was a whiz on the basepaths, stealing over 620 bases during his career and maintaining a respectable .270 batting average. He’s best remembered for his daring steals and spectacular catches, including an unforgettable game-saving grab in 1992 while with the Braves (video above).
Brad Hand
Brad Hand was selected by the Florida Marlins in the second round of the 2008 MLB Draft. He is a relief pitcher known for his quality fastball-slider combination.
Throughout his career, Hand has received several honors, including three All-Star selections in 2017, 2018, and 2019. He has also been among the league leaders in saves multiple times.
Hand has played for 9 different teams in his 13-year career (6 just in the last three seasons) including the Marlins, Padres, Indians, Nationals, Mets, Blue Jays, Phillies, Rockies and Braves.
Hand Key Stats
- All-Star (Padres, Indians)
Jeff Kent
Jeff Kent was a powerhouse from 1992 to 2008. Like me, most of you probably think of him as a San Francisco Giant, but Kent also played for the Mets, Dodgers, Astros, Indians (now Guardians) and Blue Jays.
A second baseman with serious pop in his bat, Kent earned the MVP title in 2000 with the Giants. He had 33 home runs that year with 125 RBIs.
Over his career, he hit over 370 home runs, racked up more than 1,500 RBIs, and had an impressive 560 doubles. Kent was selected for the All-Star game five times.
RARITY SCORE ALERT: Kent only played 1 season each for Cleveland and Toronto – 39 games for Cleveland in 1996 and 65 games for Toronto in his rookie season. This makes Kent a very obscure choice for a Cleveland / Toronto block.
