Now that Troy Tulowitzki is no longer with the Rockies and Chase Utley has been traded from the Phillies after thirteen seasons, does it seem like so-called lifers are dropping left and right? Which players have the longest tenure with the teams for whom they first played?
Enterprising reddit user thedeejus did the legwork and the results are fascinating:
| Team | Since | Player(s) |
|---|---|---|
| MIN | 2004 | Joe Mauer |
| NYM | 2004 | David Wright |
| PHI | 2004 | Ryan Howard |
| STL | 2004 | Yadier Molina |
| DET | 2005 | Justin Verlander |
| SEA | 2005 | Felix Hernandez |
| SFG | 2005 | Matt Cain |
| WSN | 2005 | Ryan Zimmerman |
| LAA | 2006 | Erick Aybar, Jered Weaver |
| BOS | 2006 | Dustin Pedroia |
| LAD | 2006 | Andre Ethier |
| CIN | 2007 | Joey Votto, Homer Bailey |
| KCR | 2007 | Alex Gordon, Luke Hochevar |
| CHW | 2007 | John Danks |
| MIL | 2007 | Ryan Braun |
| NYY | 2008 | Brett Gardner |
| TBR | 2008 | Evan Longoria |
| TEX | 2009 | Elvis Andrus, Derek Holland |
| CLE | 2009 | Michael Brantley, Carlos Carrasco |
| PIT | 2009 | Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker |
| BAL | 2009 | Matt Wieters, Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman |
| TOR | 2009 | Brett Cecil |
| CHC | 2010 | Starlin Castro, |
| ATL | 2010 | Freddie Freeman |
| HOU | 2010 | Jason Castro |
| MIA | 2010 | Giancarlo Stanton |
| OAK | 2010 | Eric Sogard |
| COL | 2011 | Wilin Rosario, Charlie Blackmon, Rex Brothers |
| ARI | 2011 | Paul Goldschmidt, Josh Collmenter |
| SDP | 2012 | Nick Vincent |
Edit: Comes to my attention that several of these players were not drafted by the team but still played with them first. Edited the above intro paragraph to reflect this distinction. Apologies for MY confusion. -jbopp
Observations:
- 100% turnover for the Rockies, D-backs, and Padres since 2011 feels significant and rather telling. Each is a team in search of an identity.
- Castro
and Schlitterfor the Cubs has to hurt a little bit, considering how many of those otherwise lovely fans give Castro a hard time.
- Tigers, Mariners, Giants. Justin Verlander, Felix Hernandez, Matt Cain. This only makes me feel awful for M's fans.
- The 2009 bunch -- Rangers, Indians, Pirates, Orioles -- are all kind of interesting in how their cores are aging and how each club had success over the years.
- David Wright, everyone! Assuming he's with the team in the playoffs, how good of a story is that? Will be his first appearance (and the club's) since 2006.
- Of the names on this list, the ones I expect to actually retire with their team: Mauer, Wright, Howard, Molina, Gordon, McCutchen.
- The Reds. :: sigh ::