Miguel Odalis Tejada was born on 25 May 1974, in Bani, Dominican Republic, and is a retired professional baseball player, best known from playing in Major League Baseball (MLB) with numerous teams as a shortstop. He was active in MLB from 1997 to 2013, and all of his efforts have helped put his net worth to where it is today.
How rich is Miguel Tejada? As of late-2017, sources estimate a net worth that is at $45 million, mostly earned through success in professional baseball, playing with teams such as the Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, and Kansas City Royals. As he continues his endeavors, it is expected that his wealth will also continue to increase.
Miguel Tejada Net Worth $45 million
Miguel grew up in a state of extreme poverty, and so dreamed of a career in professional baseball. Eventually, he along with other Dominican players would go to the US despite speaking little English, to pursue their dreams by playing with minor league teams.
Tejada soon grew to become one of the top prospects in the Majors, and in 1997 was signed to the Oakland Athletics. The following year, he became their starting shortstop and would steadily improve. In 1999, the team had a solid 87 win campaign and Tejada helped them get their first American League Western Division title in eight years. They would go on to face the Yankees in the post-season but were defeated. In 2002, he had his breakout year as he lead the Athletics to their second Western Division title including an American League record 20-game winning streak.
Thanks to his performance, he was named the 2002 American League MVP. However, the team still struggled at the ALDS.
In 2004, Miguel signed a six year $72 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, which increased his net worth to a high amount. The year would mark him winning the Century 21 Home Run Derby held in Houston, and he also led the league with 150 RBI in the same year. The following year, he became an All-Star, was also a starter for the AL, and would go on to become the All-star MVP.
IN 2006, he would appear in his 1,000th consecutive game, which would eventually reach 1,151 games until he broke his wrist in 2007.
Tejada was then traded to the Houston Astros in 2007, for five players. He scored his 1000th career run playing for the Astros and also participated in the All Star game. In 2010, he was given a one year deal with Baltimore which further increased his net worth, then traded to the San Diego Padres with whom he hit his 300th home run. In 2011, Tejada signed a one year contract with the San Francisco Giants, then had his third stint with Baltimore before signing a contract with the Kansas City Royals in 2013. He played his last game with the Miami Marlins before being released the following year.
For his personal life, Miguel has been married to Alejandra since 1995 and they have two children. He’s been the subject of allegations throughout his career, alleging steroid use early in his career. Later on, he would be charged for using performance enhancing drugs, including being suspended for 105 games for using amphetamines in 2013.
The family now have a chicken farm in Florida, although rumours of bankruptcy have circulated.
