Former Rangers' Gold Glove first baseman enters the political realm

Nearly a decade after appearing in his final Major League Baseball game, a former Rangers' first-round pick and Gold Glover Mark "Tex" Teixeira has entered into a new career path: politics.

The 2001 fifth overall pick announced on Thursday his campaign for Congress in Texas' 21st District. Since his retirement in 2016, he's spend time in various ventures and entered the poltiical space in 2021.

Former Rangers' first-round draft pick is stepping into new political career

The 45-year-old will run on the Republican ticket for the eleciton that will be held November 2026. The 21st congressional district in Texas serves the area north of Antonio, including a portion of Austin, Boenrne, Fredicksburg, Ingram, Kerrville, Kyle, New Braunfels and San Marcos.

Teixeira spent 14 seasons in Major League Baseball, including his first five seasons with the Rangers. During his time in Texas, the first baseman was an All-Star in 2005, a two-time Silver Slugger and two-time Gold Glove winner.

After he turned down a massive eight-year contract extension from Texas in July 2007, the team traded him, Ron Mahay and Jarrod Saltalamacchia to Atlanta in exchange for Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison, Neftali Feliz and Beau Jones.

He eventually got his big contract from the New York Yankees prior to the 2009 season, which was for eight-years, $180 million.

For his career, he was a three time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger, five-time Gold Glover, lead the American League in home runs (39) and RBIs (122) and won the World Series in 2009 with the New York Yankees.

Despite an accomplished career, Teixeira only spend one year on the ballot of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022, receiving just 1.5% of the vote and was one of 11 players to be elimnated from the ballot that year.

Although he was born in Maryland, Teixeria has settled in Central Texas with his wife and three children. His step into public service is not an unusual turn for professional or collegiate athletes as countless former athletes have ran for or held political seats.