7 Baseball Players who Played for Yankees and Rays
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 New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.
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 Yankees and the Rays. Here is a mix of all-time greats along with some hidden gems that you may have forgotten about.
Wade Boggs
Wade Boggs, known for his exceptional hitting prowess, spent his 18-year MLB career, primarily with the Boston Red Sox from 1982-1992, as well as stints with the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
A Hall of Famer, Boggs boasted a lifetime batting average of .328, accumulating 3010 hits and earning five batting titles. His keen eye and patience at the plate translated into a remarkable .415 on-base percentage.
An equally adept defender, he received two Gold Glove Awards at third base. Boggs’ career highlight was a World Series victory with the Yankees in 1996. His number ’26’ has been retired by the Red Sox and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.
*Boggs was previously the most popular pick for this square (Grid 113)
Boggs Key Stats
- Hall of Fame (Red Sox, Yankees, Rays)
- All-Star (Red Sox, Yankees)
- Gold Glove (Yankees)
- Silver Slugger (Red Sox, Yankees)
- 3000+ Career Hits
- .300 Career Batting Average
- 200+ Hits in a Season (Red Sox)
Hideki Matsui
Hideki Matsui, known affectionately as “Godzilla,” was a prolific player in Major League Baseball from 2003 to 2012, following a successful career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.
Most known for his time with the New York Yankees, Matsui made an immediate impact with his power hitting. He ended his MLB career with a .282 batting average, 175 home runs, and over 760 RBIs.
He was named to two All-Star teams (Yankees) and is perhaps most celebrated for his performance in the 2009 World Series, where he was named Most Valuable Player after hitting .615 with three home runs and eight RBIs in six games.
Corey Kluber
Corey Kluber was drafted in the 4th round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres and later made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Indians in 2011. Kluber was one of the most dominant pitchers in the league for a span of about five years.
He won the Cy Young Award twice, first in 2014 and then again in 2017, both times with the Indians. Kluber has been named to three All-Star teams and has thrown a no-hitter, which came in 2021 as a member of the New York Yankees.
Kluber played his first 9 seasons in Cleveland but has bounced around more recently in his career with stops at the Rays, Red Sox, Rangers and Yankees.
Kluber Key Stats
- Cy Young (Indians)
- All-Star (Indians)
- 20+ Win Season (Indians)
- 200+ Strikeout Season (Indians)
Tino Martinez
Tino Martinez, a two-time All-Star first baseman, was a vital component of the New York Yankees dynasty in the late 1990s. Known for his power and run-producing ability, Martinez had an impressive career from 1990 to 2005 with the Mariners, Yankees, Cardinals, and Rays.
He amassed 339 home runs and drove in 1271 runs during his career, while maintaining a .271 lifetime batting average. Martinez had a knack for the dramatic, including his grand slam in Game 1 of the 1998 World Series. Martinez was a key component of the 4 World Series titles that the Yankees won in ’96, ’98, ’99 and 2000.
Martinez Key Stats
- All-Star (Mariners, Yankees)
- Silver Slugger (Yankees)
- 40+ Home Run Season (Yankees)
- 100+ RBI Season (Mariners, Yankees)
Johnny Damon
Johnny Damon had a successful 18-year Major League Baseball career, most notably with the Kansas City Royals, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees. A talented outfielder and proficient leadoff hitter, he recorded a .284 career batting average with 2769 hits, 235 home runs, and 408 stolen bases.
Damon’s speed and ability to get on base were valuable assets, helping both the Red Sox in 2004 and the Yankees in 2009 secure World Series Championships.
Known for his affable personality and distinctive long hair and beard during his time with the Red Sox, Damon was a fan favorite and an influential figure in the clubhouse. He was named to the All-Star team twice, in 2002 and 2005.
Damon Key Stats
- All-Star (Red Sox)
- 40+ Stolen Base Season (Royals)
Travis Lee
Travis Lee, a versatile first baseman and outfielder, had an 8-year career in the MLB from 1998 to 2006 with the Diamondbacks, Phillies, Rays, and Yankees.
With a solid glove and left-handed bat, Lee accumulated 115 home runs and 488 RBIs over his career, maintaining a .256 batting average. Lee’s steady defense was a key part of his game, finishing his career with a .997 fielding percentage at first base.
His best season might have been with the Phillies in 2001 when hit .258 with 20 home runs and 90 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.
