$222M Yankees Legend Eyes Ambitious Political Move With Bold Announcement

Remember that 2009 Yankees squad that took home the World Series title? Well, some of its alumni ended up forming quite the unexpected clubhouse. Mariano Rivera, the legendary closer with five rings and a fastball that made hitters miserable, threw his support behind President Donald Trump. In return, Trump handed Rivera the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Johnny Damon, another All-Star from that championship roster, also swung into Trump’s corner. By 2020, both Rivera and Damon found themselves on the roster for a different kind of team: Trump’s President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. This time around, another Yankee is jumping on the bandwagon.

It’s Mark Teixeira, the switch-hitting first baseman who went fifth overall in the 2001 MLB Draft. And spent his early years with the Rangers before moving on to the Braves, Angels, and, of course, the Yankees. Well, over 14 seasons in the majors, he built quite the resume with 3x All-Star nods, 5x Gold Gloves, a 2009 World Series ring with New York, 409 career homers, and nearly 1,300 RBIs before retiring in 2016!

However, while that championship in pinstripes was probably the peak of his playing days, Teixeira’s now setting his sights on something different yet similar. The former Yankees and Rangers’ slugger has announced he’s running for Congress in Texas’s 21st District. That’s the seat currently held by Rep. Chip Roy, who’s stepping aside to pursue the Texas attorney general job. And for Teixeira, the man who earned over $220 million during his career, this could be his biggest challenge yet, away from the diamond.

“Big news: I’m ready to go! As a lifelong conservative who loves this country, I’m running for Congress to fight for the principles that make Texas and America great. It takes teamwork to win – I’m ready to help defend President Trump’s America First agenda, Texas families, and individual liberty.” Teixeira shared his political ambition over his X handle.

When launching his campaign, Teixeira pledged to team up with Trump on priorities such as tightening border security, boosting the economy, rolling back what he called “radical woke indoctrination,” pushing for American energy independence, protecting both life and gun rights, bringing an end to endless foreign wars, and reinforcing the U.S. military. “Playing for the Texas Rangers and raising my family in the Lone Star State has been one of the greatest blessings of my life,” Teixeira said in a statement. “Now I’m ready to answer the call to serve my country, my state, and the conservative principles that made Texas the envy of the nation.“

Well, Teixeira may be new to politics, and he’s never actually worked in the public sector. But he says he’s been active behind the scenes since hanging up his cleats. According to his announcement, he’s backed several conservative causes, thrown his support behind Texas Governor Greg Abbott. And he even volunteered with the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Back in November 2015, Politico also noted that he served on the hosting committee for a fundraiser supporting the then-presidential hopeful Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who now serves as secretary of state.

If you remember, Teixeira handled plenty of clutch moments at the plate during his career. And now we’ll see how he deals with the curveballs that come his way in this brand-new arena.

A look back at the Yankees legend’s journey

Yes, injuries may have slowed him down at times in pinstripes, but Mark Teixeira still gave Yankees fans plenty of unforgettable moments. Who could forget his walk-off homer in Game 2 of the 2009 ALDS? For the unversed, that’s the team’s first postseason walk-off since Aaron Boone’s legendary blast in the 2003 ALCS!

Also, the time he put himself in the same sentence as Lou Gehrig? Notably, on May 8, 2010, Teixeira crushed three home runs against the Red Sox, driving in five runs in a 14-3 rout, becoming just the second Yankee ever after Gehrig to do it in that matchup. Fast forward to July 3, 2016, and he joined the prestigious 400 home run club, becoming only the fifth switch-hitter in MLB history to reach that milestone.

Hence, it was quite a decorated career filled with clutch swings and big-stage moments. Now, Teixeira’s hoping to carry that same drive and success into this brand-new chapter off the field.