Former Texas Rangers and New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira announced on Thursday that he is running for Congress in Texas. With that, he is leaving behind his long-standing ties to New York to start his new career in politics.

Teixeira is 45 years old and declared his candidacy for Texas’s 21st Congressional District. The Central Texas seat will be open, given that Rep. Chip Roy announced that he would run for attorney general instead of seeking reelection. Teixeira filed the paperwork on Thursday morning and launched his campaign with a statement and a video on social media.

Teixeira mentioned, “As a lifelong conservative who loves this country, I’m ready to fight for the principles that make Texas strong and America exceptional.” He also mentioned that he is here to help President Trump’s America First agenda, Texas families, and individual liberty. Now the district covers part of San Antonio and Bexar County and has been held by the Republicans since Roy won the seat back in 2019.

Teixeira’s announcement, though, marks a major shift in his career space because he earned much of his fame and fortune in New York. He played for 14 MLB seasons, five of it was with the Texas Rangers and eight seasons with the New York Yankees.  Teixerira even won a World Series title in 2009 and over his career hit 409 home runs, drove in 1,298 runs, and earned three All-Star selections. He even won five Gold Glove awards and retired after the 2016 season.

Mark Teixeira was actually drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2001; however, he spent more time and grew his public profile in New York. His $180 million contract with the Yankees made him one of the highest-paid players of his era. And much of his career earnings were tied to his years in pinstripes and then his stint in Texas. Since his retirement, he has worked with the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank. For now, the former Yankee star is swapping his bat and glove for a campaign!

Texas Rangers Hall of Famer immortalized in bronze at Globe Life Field

While one Texas Ranger is stepping into politics, another is getting immortalized in Bronze! Friday afternoon, the Rangers unveiled Hall of Famer Adrian Beltré’s statue at Globe Life Field. Fans couldn’t help but shout, “Beltre!” The moment just screamed the same energy he inspired during his playing days and the way he cemented his legacy as being the franchise’s most beloved figure.

The bronze figure, designed by sculptor Mike Tabor, showcases Beltre in his trademark kneeling follow-through swing. It now stands outside the Northeast Plaza entrance alongside the other Rangers icons, like Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez and Nolan Ryan. In over 21 MLB seasons, Beltre has built a resume worthy of such an honor. He has several accolades, including five Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers, and four All-Star appearances, and is also in the exclusive 3,000-hit club.

However, despite this, he is as humble as one can be. In his speech, he said, “I don’t know if I’m worthy of this…One thing is for sure: I know I’m grateful, and I’m glad to always be a Ranger.” Ray Davis, meanwhile, the managing partner of the team, gave Beltre his flowers, calling him a superstar and a leader both. “Adrian was a tremendous ballplayer, but on top of that, he was a tremendous leader. Today I see Ian [Kinsler] and Elvis [Andrus] here, but I used to call it the Beltré stare. Beltré was a leader because all he had to do was look at somebody if they messed up, and they knew they messed up, and they changed.” For the Texas Rangers fans, this statue is more than a tribute; in fact, Arlington native Colton Benge said that this statue represents the joy that Beltré brought to the city.