Mark Teixeira facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mark Teixeira
Teixeira with the New York Yankees in 2011
First baseman
Born: (1980-04-11) April 11, 1980 (age 45) Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
Batted: Switch Threw: Right
debut
April 1, 2003, for the Texas Rangers
Last appearance
October 2, 2016, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
Batting average	.268
Home runs	409
Runs batted in	1,298
Teams
Texas Rangers (2003–2007) Atlanta Braves (2007–2008) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2008) New York Yankees (2009–2016)
Career highlights and awards
3× All-Star (2005, 2009, 2015) World Series champion (2009) 5× Gold Glove Award (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012) 3× Silver Slugger Award (2004, 2005, 2009) AL home run leader (2009) AL RBI leader (2009) Dick Howser Trophy (2000)

Mark Charles Teixeira (pronounced tay-SHAIR-uh), often called "Tex", is a former professional baseball player. He was a first baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 14 seasons. Mark played for the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and New York Yankees.

Before becoming a pro, he played college baseball at Georgia Tech. In 2000, he won the Dick Howser Trophy as the best college baseball player in the country. Mark was known as a great switch-hitter, meaning he could bat well from both the left and right sides of the plate. He helped the Yankees win their 27th World Series championship in 2009. That year, he led the American League (AL) in home runs and runs batted in (RBI). He also finished second in the voting for the Most Valuable Player Award (MVP).

Teixeira was chosen for the All-Star Game three times. He won five Gold Glove Awards for his excellent fielding. He also won three Silver Slugger Awards for his hitting. Mark holds the MLB record for hitting a home run from both sides of the plate in the same game, doing it 14 times. He was also the fifth switch-hitter in MLB history to hit 400 career home runs.

The Texas Rangers picked Teixeira fifth overall in the 2001 MLB draft. He started his MLB career on Opening Day in 2003. As a rookie, he hit 26 home runs. In 2005, he had his best year with 43 home runs and 144 RBI. Teixeira was traded twice, first to the Braves in 2007, then to the Angels in 2008. In 2008, he signed a big contract with the Yankees. His first year with them was his most successful. Injuries affected his play in later years. He retired after the 2016 season. From 2004 to 2011, Mark hit at least 30 home runs and had 100 RBI every season.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Mark Charles Teixeira grew up in Severna Park, Maryland. His parents are Margaret "Margy" Canterna and John Teixeira. He went to Mount Saint Joseph High School in Baltimore. There, he played on the school's baseball team with Gavin Floyd. Mark's grandfather came from Guyana in South America. His family background includes English and Portuguese roots from his father's side. His mother's family was of Italian descent.

College Baseball Career

The Boston Red Sox drafted Teixeira in 1998. But Mark decided not to sign with them. Instead, he chose to go to the Georgia Institute of Technology. He wanted to play college baseball for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. He felt the Red Sox had not treated him well.

In the summer of 1999, he played for the Orleans Cardinals. This was a team in the Cape Cod Baseball League. He won an award there for being an "Outstanding Pro Prospect." In 2000, playing for the Yellow Jackets, he had a great batting average of .427. He also won the Dick Howser Trophy as the best college baseball player in the nation.

Professional Baseball Journey

Drafted by the Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers selected Mark Teixeira in the first round of the 2001 MLB draft. He was the fifth player chosen overall. The Rangers signed him to a contract worth $9.5 million over four years.

Mark started the 2002 season in the minor leagues. He played for the Charlotte Rangers and then the Tulsa Drillers. He performed very well at both levels.

Playing for the Texas Rangers

Teixeira joined the Rangers' main team on Opening Day in 2003. As a rookie, he hit .259 with 26 home runs and 84 runs batted in (RBIs).

Teixeira as a member of the Rangers.

In 2004, Mark hit .281 with 38 home runs and 112 RBIs. On August 17, 2004, he achieved a rare feat: he hit for the cycle. This means he hit a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game.

In 2005, he won the Silver Slugger Award for being the best-hitting first baseman. He also won the Gold Glove for being the best defensive first baseman. Fans voted him to start at first base in his first All-Star Game. During the game, he hit a home run from the right side of the plate. He had not done that in the first half of the season. He finished 2005 with a .301 batting average, 43 home runs, and 144 RBI.

Mark became only the third switch-hitter to hit at least 20 home runs in his first three seasons. His 144 RBI in 2005 set a Major League record for a switch-hitter. In 2006, Teixeira signed a new contract to avoid arbitration. On June 9, 2007, his streak of 507 straight games played ended. He hurt his quadriceps muscle and went on the disabled list.

Time with the Atlanta Braves

Teixeira with the Braves in 2008.

On July 31, 2007, the Rangers traded Teixeira to the Atlanta Braves. He joined the team during a game against the Houston Astros. Fans gave him a big cheer when he appeared on the video board.

In his first game with the Braves on August 1, 2007, Teixeira hit a 3-run homer. He also drove in 4 runs. He hit a home run in his next two games too. This made him only the second Brave to homer in his first three games.

On August 19, 2007, he hit two home runs in one game. The next day, he did it again, hitting two three-run homers. He hit his homers from both sides of the plate. He was named the National League Player of the Month for August. In 54 games with Atlanta in 2007, he batted .317 with 17 home runs and 56 RBI.

Playing for the Los Angeles Angels

Teixeira playing for the Angels in 2008.

On July 29, 2008, Teixeira was traded again, this time to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He batted third in the Angels' lineup. After the trade, he hit .358 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs. He helped the Angels win 100 games that season.

Teixeira played well in his first postseason. He had a .467 batting average. However, the Angels lost to the Boston Red Sox in the first round. After the season, Teixeira became a free agent.

Joining the New York Yankees

Teixeira, pictured in 2009.

In December 2008, Teixeira agreed to an eight-year contract with the New York Yankees. The deal was worth $180 million. He officially joined the Yankees on January 6, 2009. He chose the Yankees over other teams like the Angels and Red Sox. He reunited with his former Texas Rangers teammate, Alex Rodriguez. Teixeira wore number 25 because his favorite number, 23, was retired for Don Mattingly. Mattingly was Mark's childhood hero.

2009: World Series Champion

In 2009, Teixeira led the AL in home runs (39) and RBI (122). The Yankees won the 2009 World Series. Mark received a World Series ring. He struggled a bit with his hitting in the playoffs. But some of his hits were very important. He hit a walk-off home run in Game 2 of the ALDS. He also hit a game-tying home run in Game 2 of the World Series. He also made many great defensive plays.

Teixeira in 2009

For the 2009 season, Teixeira won both the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. He finished second in the AL MVP voting.

2010: Another Strong Season

Teixeira on first base in 2011

On May 8, 2010, Teixeira became the second Yankee to hit three home runs in one game against the Boston Red Sox. The first was Lou Gehrig in 1927. On June 20, he hit a grand slam against the New York Mets. This was the only offense in a 4–0 Yankees win.

Teixeira won the 2010 Gold Glove Award again. In 2010, he batted .256 with 33 home runs and 108 RBI. He also led the American League with 113 runs scored. He injured his hamstring in the 2010 ALCS. The Yankees lost the series to the Rangers.

2011: Breaking Records

On June 30, 2011, Teixeira hit his 300th career home run. On August 2, 2011, he hit a home run from both sides of the plate for the 12th time. This broke the record for most such games.

Teixeira on August 28, 2011

In August 2011, Teixeira and Curtis Granderson became the first Yankees teammates since 1961 to both have 30 home runs by game 115. Mark had a .996 career fielding percentage at first base. In 2011, he batted .248 with 39 home runs and 111 RBI. His postseason struggles continued as the Yankees lost to the Detroit Tigers.

2012: Injuries Begin

Teixeira in 2012

In 2012, Teixeira dealt with several health issues. These included a cough, wrist pain, and a calf strain. He spent time on the disabled list. He finished the 2012 season with a .251 batting average, 24 home runs, and 84 RBI. The Yankees made the playoffs but lost to the Tigers. After the season, Teixeira won the 2012 Gold Glove Award. He also won a Fielding Bible Award for his defense.

2013: Wrist Surgery

On March 6, 2013, Teixeira hurt his wrist while playing for Team USA. He started the 2013 season on the disabled list. He returned in May but re-injured his wrist in June. He played only 15 games in 2013. He had a .151 average, 3 home runs, and 12 RBI. On July 1, 2013, Teixeira had wrist surgery. This ended his season.

2014: More Injuries

Teixeira left a game on April 4, 2014, with a hamstring injury. He was placed on the disabled list. He returned later that month. On May 17, 2014, he hit his 350th career home run. He also dealt with his wrist injury again. He was hit in the toe by a pitch in June. In 2014, Teixeira batted .216 with 22 home runs and 62 RBI in 123 games.

2015: All-Star Return, Then Injury

Teixeira had a strong season in 2015. He was named to his third All-Star team. He hit his most home runs since 2011. On August 17, 2015, he fouled a ball off his leg. This caused a deep bone bruise. He missed almost two weeks. On September 11, an MRI showed a fracture in his shin. This injury ended his 2015 season. He batted .255 with 31 home runs and 79 RBI in 111 games.

2016: Retirement Season

Teixeira struggled at the start of 2016. He had neck spasms and torn cartilage in his knee. He tried to avoid surgery. On July 3, he hit two home runs, including his 400th career home run. He became the fifth switch-hitter to reach 400 homers.

On August 5, Teixeira announced he would retire at the end of the season. He mentioned his family and injuries as reasons. On September 28, he hit the final home run of his career. It was a walk-off grand slam against the Boston Red Sox. This was his first game-ending home run in a regular season game.

On September 30, the band Twisted Sister honored him. They gave him a guitar because their song "I Wanna Rock" was his walk-up song. October 2, 2016, was his final game. He finished 0 for 3. In his last season, he batted .204 with 15 home runs and 44 RBI in 116 games.

Coaching Career

In 2024, Teixeira was the hitting coach for the National League team. This was during the All-Star Futures Game.

Awards and Achievements

• Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Player of the Year (2000)
• Baseball America College Player of the Year Award (2000)
• College Baseball All-America Team (2000)
• Dick Howser Trophy (2000)
• Fielding Bible Award at first base (2012)
• 3× Major League Baseball All-Star (2005, 2009, 2015)
• 2× Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award (July 2004, August 2007)
• 6× Major League Baseball Player of the Week Award (July 4, 2004; May 22, 2005; September 4, 2005; August 26, 2007; September 5, 2010; April 26, 2015)
• 5× Rawlings Gold Glove Award (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012)
• 3× Silver Slugger Award (2004, 2005, 2009)
• USA Today All-USA high school baseball team (1998)
• World Series champion (2009)
• Included on the ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2022

Life Outside Baseball

Public Life

Mark Teixeira supported a political candidate named Marco Rubio in 2016.

In Entertainment

In August 2011, Teixeira appeared briefly in the TV show Entourage. His teammate Alex Rodriguez was also in the scene. Teixeira also made a one-night appearance on Broadway in the musical Rock of Ages in 2013. He played a bartender.

Mark loves movies and is on the board of the Greenwich International Film Festival. In 2014, he filmed Foul Territory, a funny interview show for the YES Network. He came up with the idea to help new Yankees players feel welcome. The show was nominated for a New York Emmy Award.

In 2017, Teixeira joined ESPN as a baseball analyst. He left ESPN in early 2021.

Other Projects

Teixeira is a board member for several groups. These include DREAM (which helps kids through baseball) and the Emerald Corridor Foundation. In 2018, he announced plans for a new building project in Atlanta called Quarry Yards.

Personal Life

CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira (right) during the 2009 World Series parade.

After signing his first major league contract, Teixeira started a scholarship at his high school. It was in honor of a friend who died in a car accident.

Teixeira and his family live in Greenwich, Connecticut. In 2006, Mark and his wife, Leigh Williams, started the Mark Teixeira Charitable Fund. This fund supported scholarships at three high schools. They have three children: sons Jack Gordan and William Charles, and daughter Addison Leigh.

Mark's mother, Margaret, passed away in 2015. In 2017, his father, John, married Sherry McCann. She is the mother of Mark's former teammate, Brian McCann.

Mark enjoys hunting, golfing, reading, and fishing. He also likes Broadway theatre and says Les Misérables is his favorite show. Teixeira is a devoted Catholic. He believes his father's guidance and a friend's death in high school helped him a lot. He even has a video on YouTube where he talks about his faith.

Teixeira finished his business administration degree from Georgia Tech in 2022.

See also

In Spanish: Mark Teixeira para niños