10 Baseball Players who Played for Yankees and Dodgers
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 Los Angeles Dodgers.
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.
Here are 8 players who played for both the Yankees and the Dodgers. Some are well-known all-stars and some are very good but under-the-radar (and probably ’90s) players who could score you a low rarity score.
Popular Choices
Many fans will remember these guys are both a Yankee and a Dodger – either because of the length of time they spent with each team or their impact while they played there.
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)
*Joey Gallo was the most popular pick in a previous grid (Grid 90) for the Yankees / Dodgers square.
Gary Sheffield
Gary Sheffield was a beast on the baseball field and is a beast on the Immaculate Grid. He played from 1988 to 2009, suiting up for eight different teams – Marlins, Dodgers, Brewers, Yankees, Braves, Padres, Tigers and Mets.
Sheffield helped the Marlins snag a World Series Championship in ’97. Over his career, he cranked out 509 home runs (one of 28 players who hit over 500) and had a solid .292 batting average.
Sheffield was a nine-time All-Star, but his multiple stops along his career are what makes him really stand out for this particular game.
Darryl Strawberry
Darryl Strawberry, who played from 1983 to 1999, is most recognized for his time as an outfielder with the New York Mets and the New York Yankees.
Strawberry had a powerful career, notching 1000 RBIs, 335 home runs, and a .259 career batting average. An eight-time All-Star (Mets, Dodgers), he was named the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 1983 (Mets). Strawberry’s best season might have been 1987, when he hit 39 home runs with 104 RBIs and a .284 batting average.
Despite battling personal issues off the field, Strawberry was part of three World Series-winning teams, showcasing his ability to perform at the highest level.
Rare Choices
These players are generally associated with either the Dodgers or Yankees – but not both.
David Wells
David Wells, nicknamed “Boomer”, was a major force on the baseball mound from 1987 to 2007, spending time with the Blue Jays, Yankees, Padres, and several other teams including Tigers, Red Sox, Dodgers, Reds, Orioles and White Sox.
A key player in the Yankees’ ’98 World Series win, Wells also pitched a rare perfect game that same year.
His career stats are impressive, with a total of 239 wins and over 2,200 strikeouts over the course of 21 seasons.
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)
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.
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.
Bobby Abreu
Bobby Abreu, who played from 1996 to 2014, is most recognized for his time as an outfielder with the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees.
Abreu had a productive career, collecting over 2400 hits, 288 home runs, and a .291 career batting average. He also amassed 400 stolen bases, making him one of only a few players to reach the 200-400 club in home runs and steals.
A two-time All-Star, Abreu won a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Award (all awards with the Phillies), demonstrating his balanced skill set. His best season might have been 2004, when he hit .301 with 30 home runs, 105 RBIs, and 40 stolen bases.
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
Chance for a very low rarity score here, but be prepared to defend, ‘how you knew that’.
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 Dodgers 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).
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).
