Mark Teixeira

Mark Teixeira is recognized as one of the most accomplished switch-hitters in Major League Baseball history, spending 14 seasons as a first baseman with the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and New York Yankees. Before his professional career, Teixeira played college baseball at Georgia Tech, where he won the Dick Howser Trophy as the national collegiate baseball player of the year. During his three-year college career, he batted .409, hit 36 home runs, and drove in 165 runs, ranking fourth in school history in career batting average and second in slugging percentage. Teixeira is one of three Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to have his number retired on The Flats and is a member of the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Teixeira made his Major League Baseball debut with the Texas Rangers as their starting first baseman after being selected as the fifth overall pick in the MLB Draft. He earned American League Rookie of the Year votes and quickly became a cornerstone player, achieving eight consecutive seasons with at least 30 home runs and 100 runs batted in. His 144 runs batted in during one season set a Major League record for a switch-hitter. Teixeira became the third switch-hitter in MLB history to hit at least 20 home runs in each of his first three seasons, following Eddie Murray and Chipper Jones.

Teixeira joined the New York Yankees on an eight-year contract and was a member of the Yankees' 27th World Series championship team, leading the American League in home runs and runs batted in while finishing second in the Most Valuable Player Award balloting. He was a three-time All-Star, won five Gold Glove Awards and three Silver Slugger Awards, and holds the Major League record for most games with a home run from both sides of the plate, with 14. Over his career, Teixeira amassed 409 home runs, 1,298 runs batted in, and maintained a .268 batting average.

Injuries affected Teixeira's later years with the Yankees, including a calf strain, wrist surgery, a shin fracture, and neck spasms. He retired at the conclusion of his contract with the Yankees. Following his playing career, Teixeira joined ESPN as a baseball analyst, becoming a regular on "Baseball Tonight" and making appearances on other shows.

Beyond broadcasting, Teixeira has remained engaged with baseball and the broader community. He served as the hitting coach for the National League team in the All-Star Futures Game. Teixeira made a cameo appearance during the final season of the HBO TV series "Entourage" and made his Broadway debut in a one-night cameo in the jukebox musical "Rock of Ages." He is a board member of several organizations, including DREAM, Greenwich International Film Festival, and the Emerald Corridor Foundation. Teixeira's career encompasses record-setting achievements, sports broadcasting, and community involvement, establishing him as a knowledgeable figure in baseball and sports media.

In 2026, Mark Teixeira announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to represent Arizona's 5th Congressional District. The former MLB All-Star said his campaign is focused on economic growth, border security, and government accountability, bringing the leadership and teamwork he developed during his baseball career to public service.