7 Baseball Players who Played for Twins and Red Sox
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 Boston Red Sox.
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 Red Sox.
Popular Choices
David Ortiz
David Ortiz, who played from 1997 to 2016, is most celebrated for his time as a designated hitter with the Boston Red Sox. Ortiz was a force at the plate, amassing over 2,400 hits and 541 home runs, and maintaining a .286 career batting average.
Big Papi, as he was affectionately known, was a 10-time All-Star and won three World Series titles with the Red Sox. Perhaps most notably, he was named the World Series MVP in 2013 after helping Boston clinch the championship with his powerful hitting.
Ortiz’s charisma, clutch hitting, and major role in breaking the Red Sox’s 86-year championship drought made him a legendary figure in Boston sports history, leading to his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022.
Rare Choices
Frank Viola
Frank Viola, also known by his nickname “Sweet Music”, had a 15-year career in Major League Baseball, primarily as a starting pitcher. He began his career with the Minnesota Twins in 1982, and played with them until 1989. He then played for the Mets, Red Sox, Reds, and Blue Jays.
During his career, Viola recorded a win-loss record of 176-150, an earned run average (ERA) of 3.73, and struck out 1844 batters.
One of the highlights of his career came in 1987 when he led the Twins to a World Series victory and was named the World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP). He also won the Cy Young Award in 1988.
Viola Key Stats
- Cy Young (Twins)
- All-Star (Twins, Mets)
- 20+ Win Season (Twins, Mets)
Rick Aguilera
Rick Aguilera had a solid 16 year career, best known for his time as a relief pitcher with the Twins. In addition to the Twins, Aguilera also played for the Mets, Cubs and Red Sox.
Transitioning from a starting role to the bullpen, Aguilera amassed over 300 saves in his career including two seasons (’91 and ’92) with over 40. He was a three-time All-Star and consistently among the best closers in the game during his peak.
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.
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.
Ultra Rare Choices
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)
