Mark Teixeira
April 11, 1980 — Annapolis, Maryland
Mark Charles Teixeira, nicknamed "Tex," was one of the most complete first basemen of his generation — a switch-hitter with power from both sides of the plate and a defensive craftsman who made difficult plays look routine. His 2009 World Series title with the New York Yankees was the signature achievement of a stellar 14-year MLB career.
Georgia Tech to the Big Leagues
Born on April 11, 1980 in Annapolis, Maryland, Teixeira starred at Georgia Tech, where he won the 2001 Dick Howser Trophy — the same award Jason Varitek had won seven years earlier from the same programme. Texas drafted him fifth overall in 2001 and moved him quickly through the system; he made his MLB debut with the Rangers in 2003 and immediately showed the combination of switch-hitting power and exceptional glovework that would define his career.
Finding a Home in New York
After stints with Texas, Atlanta, and the Anaheim Angels, Teixeira signed a record-breaking seven-year, $180 million contract with the New York Yankees before the 2009 season. He immediately delivered: 39 home runs, 122 RBI, and a Gold Glove Award, helping New York win its 27th World Series title. He would go on to win five Gold Gloves total and make three All-Star teams. His ability to lead the American League in home runs and RBI while also anchoring the infield made him among the most valuable players in baseball for half a decade.
Did You Know?
Teixeira was so naturally ambidextrous that he had to consciously decide as a child which hand to use for different tasks. He bats from both sides of the plate but throws right-handed — a coordination that allowed him to produce historically rare power numbers from both sides of the plate, something very few switch-hitters in MLB history have managed.
Life After Baseball
Teixeira retired after the 2016 season due to recurring wrist injuries; his later career was hampered by a series of fractures and strains that cut short what many believed could have been a Hall of Fame trajectory. Since retiring, he has become a prominent baseball analyst for ESPN, appearing on Baseball Tonight and College GameDay for baseball. He has also been linked to political ambitions in Maryland, where he grew up — he's said publicly that public service interests him for the future.