Players Who Spent Time With Both 2020 Stalwarts, the Twins and the Cubs

In a season that has already been quite unusual, the end of the opening two weeks marked yet another first in baseball history. Boasting records of 10-2, the Chicago Cubs and the Minnesota Twins were both on top of their respective leagues at the same time.

Their success in not terribly surprising, since each team has been projected to reach the postseason. Few prognosticators, however, would have Minnesota winning at a better clip than the Yankees, nor would many have the Cubs well ahead of the Dodgers.

Other than a history with many more losing seasons than winning seasons, the Cubs and Twins until their exact success this year have had little in common. Well, they both ended up losing game thirteen, but in completely dissimilar ways.

Minnesota jumped out to an early three run lead, only to have the Pittsburgh Pirates battle back to a walk off 6-5 win. The Cubs, on the other hand, got clobbered 13-2 by the Kansas City Royals.

What the two clubs have shared in their histories is an impressive list of players, including several All-Stars, who have been Twins as well as Cubs. Left hander Rich Hill is a current example, having become a member of the Minnesota rotation a decade after pitching for the Cubs.

Here is a roster of guys who have played for both the Twins and the Cubs, a squad that would boast a very talented pitching staff.

Catcher, Alex Avila
In 2020 the former Cub is making his debut in Minnesota, serving as the backup to Mitch Garver.

First Base, Ron Coomer
"Cooms" was beloved in both cities, and he has recently been part of the broadcast crew of the Twins.

Second Base, Todd Walker
He was a highly-touted rookie for the Twins and, after stops in a few other places, Walker made a home in Wrigley Field.

Shortstop, Jason Maxwell
Debuting with the Northsiders in 1998, the versatile infielder played regularly with the Twins in 2001-02.

Third Base, Gary Gaetti
Gaetti was a force in the heart of the Minnesota order, moving to the Cubs in 1998-99.

Left Field, Jaques Jones
After idolizing Tony Gwynn as a kid growing up in San Diego, Jones enjoyed a lot of success in Minnesota before his career took a downturn as a Cub in 2006-07.

Center Field, Matt Lawton
A key component for strong Twins clubs in the early part of this century, the left handed slugger moved to Chicago in 2005.

Right Field, Rondell White
He played for the Cubs in 2001-2, joining the Twins for the 2007 season.

Starting Pitcher, Willie Banks
A right handed complement for Frank Viola, Banks was part of a rotation that led Minnesota to a championship.

Starting Pitcher, Pat Mahomes
Greater fame would come to the name when his son led the Kansas City Chiefs to the Super Bowl Championship last winter, but Dad had a very good career as a Twin as well as a Cub.

Starting Pitcher, Bob Tewkesbury
After serving as an ace for the Twins, the work horse headed to the Windy City in 2002.

Starting Pitcher, LaTroy Hawkins
After being both a starter and a closer in Minnesota, he pitched solely out of the bullpen for the 2004-5 Cubs.

Relief Pitcher, Ron Davis
He was a Closer for both clubs but, because of the next name on this list, Davis here would be relegated as a top of the line set up man.

Closer, Rick Aguilera
Many recall him as a reliever for the New York Mets, even though his tenure in Minnesota was longer.