Mark Teixeira, The Man, The Myth, The Legend

His Full Name Is Mark Charles Teixeira
He was born on Friday, April 11, 1980 in Annapolis, MD

>His father's name is John Teixeira
>>His father played high school baseball with Bucky Dent.
>>His father was a former Navy pilot.
>>His father lost his hearing in his left ear due to a benign brain tumor in 2002.

>His mother's name is Margy Teixeira
>>She is a breast cancer survivor.

>He has a a sister who lives in Hoboken, N.J

>His wife's name is Leigh
>His son's name is Jack Gordan Teixeira
>His daughter's name is Addison Leigh Teixeira

>His favorite player growing up was Don Mattingly
>He wore number 23 Teixeira with Texas the same number Mattingly used throughout his career with the New York Yankees.

>His uncle Pete Teixeira was a pitcher, and was selected in the 19th round (472nd overall) by the Atlanta Braves out of the University of Florida in 1979.

HIGH SCHOOL
>He went to High School at Mount St. Joseph in Baltimore (4403 Frederick Avenue | Baltimore MD 21229).
>While in High School his best friend Nick Liberatore was killed in a car accident on June 9, 1997 after finishing their junior year.

1998 DRAFT
Mark was originally drafted on June 2, 1998 in the 9th round (265th overall) of the 1998 draft by the Boston Red Sox. He was projected as a first-round draft pick after earning high school All American honors.

Mark Teixeira believes Red Sox GM Dan Duquette spread rumors about his signability, and his intent to go to Georgia Tech after he told them that the $1.5 million bonus they were offering would not be enough to sign him.

In a Baseball America interview he said "The Red Sox told everybody I wouldn’t sign and when it got to a late-enough round they said, ‘Let’s take a flier on him. They spoiled me for everyone else".

He would pass on the Red Sox offer and attend Georgia Tech, where he would go on to meet his future wife Leigh while attending a party at Georgia Tech during his freshman year.

COLLEGE (Georgia Tech)
>Teixeira played third base at Georgia Tech
>He batted .409 36 HR 165 RBI in 140 games

TEXAS RANGERS
After three years at Georgia Tech, he was Selected No. 5 overall by the Texas Rangers on June 5, 2001.
>Many believe the Twins would have drafted him #1 overall if he did not have Scott Boras as a client.
>The 4 players drafted ahead of him were Joe Mauer, Mark Prior, Dewon Brazelton, Gavin Floyd
>Mark Teixeira's childhood friend Michael Floyd is the brother of Gavin Floyd, the player chosen before him.
>He Signed for $9.5 million
>He made his MLB Debut on Tuesday, April 01, 2003 (10 days before his birthday)
>With Texas he was the team's assistant representative to the union.

ATLANTA BRAVES
>In July 31, 2007 the Texas Rangers traded Mark Teixeira to the Atlanta Braves for SS Elvis Andrus, RHP Neftali Feliz, LHP Matt Harrison, LHP Beau Jones, C Jarrod Saltalamacchia
>He reportedly turned down an 8 Year $140 Million contract from Texas before being traded.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM
>In July 29, 2008 The Atlanta Braves realizing they wouldn't be able to resign Mark Teixeira traded him to the Los Angeles Angels for First Baseman Casey Kotchman and Pitcher Stephen Marek
>While playing in Los Angeles he and his family stayed in Boras' California guest house.

NEW YORK YANKEES
>After finally reaching the Free Agent market after the 2008 season, he signed a 8 Year $180 Million contract with the New York Yankees on December 23, 2008.