I was reading about a former Milwaukee Brewers prospect named Brent Brewer when I thought to myself, a Brewer with the Brewers—what other ballplayers have shared the name of the team they played for? And so, this list was born. The following are big leaguers with names or nicknames that are the same (or very similar to) their major league team’s moniker.
I did leave a couple names off the list, however—for example, there were a lot of “Reds,” so I left them off. “Whites” (as in “White Sox”) were omitted as well.
Ernie Banks, nicknamed “Mr. Cub,” played for the Chicago Cubs from 1953 to 1971.
Jose Cardenal played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970 and 1971.
Tyler Clippard, nicknamed “The Yankee Clippard,” played for the New York Yankees in 2007.
Joe DiMaggio, nicknamed “The Yankee Clipper,” played for the New York Yankees from 1936 to 1942 and from 1946 to 1951.
Miguel Angel Garcia played for the California Angels in 1987.
Tony Gwynn, nicknamed “Mr. Padre,” played for the San Diego Padres from 1982 to 2001.
Gil Hatfield, nicknamed “Colonel,” played for the Louisville Colonels in 1895.
Cliff Mapes, nicknamed “Tiger,” played for the Detroit Tigers in 1952.
Angel Moreno played for the California Angels in 1981 and 1982.
Rebel Oakes played for the Pittsburgh Rebels in 1914 and 1915.
Rey Ordonez played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2003.
Gene Packard played for the Kansas City Packers in 1914 and 1915.
Dave Philley played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1958 to 1960.
Johnny Podres played for the San Diego Padres in 1969.
Amos Rusie, nicknamed the “The Hoosier Thunderbolt,” played for the Indianapolis Hoosiers in 1889.
Ray Sanchez played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2004.
Did I miss anyone? Who would you add to the list?
