9 Baseball Players who Played for Twins and Rangers
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 Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers.
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 Twins and the Rangers.
Popular Choices
These guys are highly likely to be remembered with both the Rangers and the Twins.
Joey Gallo
Joey Gallo is a baseball player known for his exceptional power at the plate. Playing primarily as a third baseman and outfielder, Gallo is one of the top home run hitters in the league.
Gallo began his professional career with the Texas Rangers after being selected in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft. He made his Major League debut in 2015, and quickly gained a reputation for his impressive home runs.
In 2019, Gallo was named to his first All-Star team and won his first Gold Glove a year later. Despite a career marked by high strikeout totals, his power, plate discipline, and defensive versatility make him a valuable asset.
Gallo Key Stats
- All-Star (Rangers)
- Gold Glove (Rangers, Yankees)
- 40+ Home Run Season (Rangers)
Nelson Cruz
Nelson Cruz is in his 19th season in the major leagues. He has played for 8 different teams over that span including the Rangers, Mariners, Twins, Rays, Padres, Nationals, Orioles and Brewers.
Cruz has had a ton of success throughout his career including 7 All-Star appearances (Rangers, Orioles, Mariners, Twins) and 4 Silver Slugger awards (Mariners, Twins).
He’s gone over 40 home runs twice in his career (Orioles, Mariners) and over 100 RBIs in 4 different seasons (Orioles, Mariners, Twins).
Cruz Key Stats
- All-Star (Rangers, Orioles, Mariners, Twins)
- Silver Slugger (Mariners, Twins)
- 40+ Home Run Season (Orioles, Mariners, Twins)
- 100+ RBI Season (Orioles, Mariners, Twins)
Joe Nathan
Joe Nathan, one of the premier closers of his generation, played in the major leagues from 1999 to 2016. During his 16-season career, Nathan pitched primarily for the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers, but also had stints with the Giants, Tigers, and Cubs.
He finished his career with 377 saves, ranking him 8th on the all-time list. Nathan boasted an impressive career ERA of 2.87 and WHIP of 1.12, striking out 976 batters over 923.1 innings.
A 6-time All-Star (Twins, Rangers), Nathan twice led the American League in saves, in 2004 and 2009. He also won the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award twice, in those same years.
Rare Choices
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.
Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven, who pitched from 1970 to 1992, is best known for his time with the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians (now Guardians). Blyleven had a terrific career, amassing 287 wins, a 3.31 ERA, and striking out 3,701 batters.
He was a two-time All-Star (Twins, Guardians) and won two World Series titles, one with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979 and another with the Twins in 1987. His best season arguably came in 1973, when he posted a 20-17 record with a 2.52 ERA and led the league with 9 shutouts.
Known for his devastating curveball, Blyleven’s impressive career was recognized with his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.
Lance Lynn
Lance Lynn was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut in 2011 and quickly became a key part of the Cardinals’ rotation. During his time in St. Louis, he helped the team win a World Series championship in 2011.
After leaving the Cardinals, Lynn had stints with the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees, continuing to demonstrate his ability as a solid starting pitcher. In 2019, he joined the Texas Rangers, where he had one of his best seasons, leading the American League in starts and finishing fifth in Cy Young Award voting.
Lance Lynn later joined the White Sox and now the Dodgers, where he continues to be a valuable asset to the team’s pitching staff. His consistent performances, strong work ethic, and ability to pitch deep into games have made him a sought-after pitcher and a leader on the mound.
Lynn Key Stats
- All-Star (Cardinals, White Sox)
- World Series Champ (Cardinals)
- 200+ Strikeout Season (Rangers)
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.
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).
A.J. Pierzynski
A.J. Pierzynski, a left-handed hitter and catcher played from 1998 to 2016. He played for several teams including the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Atlanta Braves.
Pierzynski ended his career with a batting average of .280, hitting 188 home runs and driving in 909 runs. His notable achievements include being a 2-time All-Star and winning the World Series with the White Sox in 2005.
Pierzynski Key Stats
- All-Star (Twins, White Sox)
- Silver Slugger (White Sox)
- .300+ Batting Average Season (Twins, White Sox)
