Spending your MLB career with one team showcases a player's loyalty, dedication, and passion for their clubhouse and the game.
Let's explore nine players who will take us down memory lane that chose to don just one uniform for their entire careers.
9 legends who spent their entire MLB career with one team
Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates
From 1955 to 1972, Roberto Clemente spent 18 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a monumental figure. He won 12 Gold Glove awards, the NL MVP in 1966, four batting titles, and was a 15-time All-Star. His 12 Gold Glove awards are the most in Pirates history.
Across Clemente's triumphant career, he belted 240 home runs and racked up 3,000 hits. He was also a key contributor to the Pirates winning two World Series titles.
In honor of his death in 1972, the Roberto Clemente Award was created in memory of him, his dedication to the community, and his larger-than-life impact on the game. One year after his death, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973, becoming the only player in baseball history to bypass the five-year rule.
Craig Biggio, Houston Astros
Craig Biggio, father of MLB player Cavan Biggio, spent 20 seasons with the Houston Astros from 1988 to 2007. He was a versatile player who played catcher, second base, and center field.
He was a seven-time All-Star, a four-time Gold Glove winner, a five-time Silver Slugger, and a winner of the Roberto Clemente Award in 2007. Biggio made Astros history in 2015 by becoming the first player to wear an Astros cap following their induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Derek Jeter, New York Yankees,
When you think of the New York Yankees, Derek Jeter is one of the first names that comes to mind. He was one of the most respected Yankees players of all time, spending 20 seasons with the team (1995-2014).
Jeter was so popular among athletes that he featured in perhaps the most star-studded commercial ever in 2014. The commercial, titled "RE2PECT", has several figures, including Michael Jordan, tipping their caps off to Jeter in the ad. This was done to honor Jeter's stellar career with the Yankees and his forthcoming retirement.
He was a 14-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion who was the face of the Yankees at the turn of the millennium. Jeter's leadership on and off the field and his contributions earned him the nickname "Captain Clutch."
Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves
In 1990, Chipper Jones was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the first round. He then ventured off to play 19 meaningful seasons with the Braves. He was an eight-time All-Star, won the 1995 World Series, a two-time Silver Slugger, and was named MVP in 1999.
But there's a defying stat that Jones has recorded that sets him apart. He is the only switch-hitter in MLB history to uphold a career batting average over .300 (.303) while also hitting at least 300 home runs.
Following his superb performance with the Braves, he earned his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers
The legendary Jackie Robinson spent his whole MLB career with the Brooklyn Dodgers. On April 15, 1947, Robinson made his debut with the team and changed the game by challenging segregation and prejudice as the first black player to ever play in Major League Baseball.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 23, 1962. He was a seven-time All-Star, a 1955 World Series champion, a batting title winner, MVP in 1949, and Rookie of the Year in 1947. He was known for his base-stealing abilities and stole 200 bases in his career, though even his prodigious stats hardly account for the man Robinson was.
Tony Gwynn, San Diego Padres
From 1982 to 2001, the one and only Tony Gwynn played 20 noteworthy seasons with the San Diego Padres. He earned himself the monicker "Mr. Padre" for his lengthy and successful stint in San Diego.
"Mr. Padre" won his fair share of achievements, including five Gold Gloves, seven Silver Slugger awards, 15 All-Star appearances, the Roberto Clemente Award in 1999, and a whopping eight batting titles.
One of the best pure contact hitters ever, Gwynn walked nearly twice as often as he struck out. That prolific ability earned him a Baseball Hall of Fame induction on January 9th, 2007.
Carl Yastrzemski, Boston Red Sox
Carl Yastrzemski, famously nicknamed "Yaz" by fans, played 23 seasons from 1961-1983 with the Boston Red Sox.
Yastrzemski shares the record for the longest career with a single team with Brooks Robinson. Yastrzemski won the AL Triple Crown in 1967. He was an 18-time All-Star and a seven-time Gold Glove Award winner.
Yastrzemski is also the Red Sox's all-time leader in career RBIs, runs, hits, singles, doubles, total bases, and games played.
Identified as arguably the best player in the history of Red Sox, there's no surprise that he earned a Hall of Fame induction in 1989.
Cal Ripken Jr., Balimore Orioles
From 1981 to 2001, Cal Ripken Jr. played 21 eventful seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. Amongst all the grand achievements he recorded, there is one in particular that he's recognized for.
He did the deed of breaking Lou Gehrig's record for most successive games played in MLB (2,130). This great accomplishment earned him the nickname "Iron Man".
The name of the game with Ripken Jr. was his reliability, as he played 2,632 consecutive games. He also collected 3,184 hits, 431 home runs, and 1,695 RBIs during his stint with the Orioles. His defensive talent at shortstop earned him two Gold Gloves as well.
He also won AL MVP twice (1983, 1991) and AL ROY in 1982, along with eight Silver Slugger Awards. Following his successful tenure with the Orioles, he earned his Hall of Fame induction in 2007.
Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia Phillies
From 1972 to 1989, Mike Schmidt spent 18 victorious seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, arguably earning the distinction as the greatest third baseman ever.
During his MLB career, the infielder displayed top-notch defense, earning the Gold Glove award 10 times, including nine straight from 1976-1984.
He also hit 548 bombs, drove in 1595 runs, and led the NL in home runs eight times and RBIs four times. In 1995, he earned his induction into the Hall of Fame.