MLB PLAYERS LOGGING MILES, COLLECTING HATS

The days of a major league baseball player staying with one team throughout his career are long over.  Gone are the times when stars like Al Kaline, Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, Jr. wore the same uniform from their first major league game until their last.  In fact, players today are playing for multiple teams in a very short period of time.

There is a list of current players who have donned three or more uniforms since the start of the 2012 season.  In fact, heading that list are three players who have collected FOUR hats since the beginning of last year:  Cody Ransom (Arizona, Milwaukee, San Diego, and the Cubs); Chris Snyder (Houston, Washington, L.A. Angels, and Baltimore); and Casper Wells (Seattle, Toronto, Oakland and the White Sox).

More than 28 players have played for at least three clubs since Apri, 2012.  The biggest reason is free agency.  Players who sign only a one-year contract are suddenly free agents and latch on with other teams for another year.  It gets to be pretty taxing on those who have families.

Recently, Henry Blanco, a backup catcher with average skills at best, signed with the Seattle Mariners...his 11th team in the majors.  That sets a new major league record...the old record of 10 was set by the late Ken Brett and was unbroken since 1981.  At least eight current players have worn a minimum of eight uniforms.

Then, there are the Hairston brothers, Jerry and Scott.  Combined, they have played for 16 major league teams.  They are the sons of former major leaguer Jerry Hairston, Sr.  A couple of oddities on the Hairston brothers:  Neither has played for the White Sox, their father's team for 13 of his 14 years; The brothers have never played for the same team much less played together.

With the current state of free agency, it is a wonder that players like Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera have played their entire careers with the same team.  The list probably will not grow that much in the near future.