Net Worth Ranker
What Is Orel Hershiser’s Net Worth?
Orel Hershiser, a former professional baseball pitcher, has accumulated a net worth of $14 million throughout his career. This sum reflects his earnings from an 18-season tenure in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily with the Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as subsequent roles as a pitching coach and broadcast color analyst.
Orel Hershiser’s Career Earnings and Contract Details
During his MLB career, Orel Hershiser earned a total of $37,582,001 in salary. A significant moment in his financial trajectory occurred in 1989 when he secured a three-year, $7.9 million contract extension with the Dodgers. This contract made him the first $3 million player in MLB history, marking a notable milestone in baseball salaries. In 1987, Hershiser demonstrated confidence in his abilities by accepting a 20% pay cut during arbitration. Later, in 1998, he signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants for $3.45 million.
Early Life and Education
Born on September 16, 1958, in Buffalo, New York, Orel Hershiser IV is the son of Mildred and Orel Hershiser III. His early life involved several relocations, including a move to Detroit, Michigan, at the age of six and then to Toronto, Canada, when he was 12. During his time in Canada, he played ice hockey in addition to Little League Baseball. The family later moved to Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where Hershiser attended Cherry Hill High School East. There, he established his baseball prowess by setting a new school record with 15 strikeouts in a single game against Deptford. He continued his baseball career at Bowling Green State University, where he played one full season.
Minor League Career
Hershiser’s professional baseball journey began in 1979 when the Los Angeles Dodgers selected him in the 17th round of the MLB draft. He was initially assigned to the Class A Clinton Dodgers, where he played 15 games. Over the next two seasons, he played with the Class AA San Antonio Dodgers. In 1982, he earned a promotion to the Triple-A Albuquerque Dukes, posting a 3.71 ERA in 47 games. He remained with the Dukes in 1983, recording a 4.09 ERA in 49 games.
Los Angeles Dodgers (1983-1994)
Orel Hershiser’s MLB career commenced in September 1983 when he was called up to the Los Angeles Dodgers. During his eight appearances that month, he recorded a 3.38 ERA. By the following season, Hershiser had secured a position as a full-fledged starter in the Dodgers’ rotation, pitching four complete-game shutouts in a single month. He concluded the season with a 2.66 ERA across 45 games. In 1985, Hershiser led the National League (NL) in winning percentage, boasting a 19-3 record and a 2.03 ERA. The Dodgers advanced to the NL Championship Series (NLCS), where they were defeated by the St. Louis Cardinals. Hershiser’s performance in 1986 was less remarkable, with a 14-14 record and a 3.85 ERA. The subsequent season saw him achieve a 16-16 record with a 3.06 ERA, earning him his first All-Star Game selection.
Hershiser experienced the pinnacle of his career in 1988. He led the league in wins, innings pitched, shutouts, and complete games. Notably, he established a new MLB record by pitching 59 consecutive scoreless innings. His exceptional performance earned him both the NL Cy Young Award and the Gold Glove Award. His success continued into the postseason, as the Dodgers went on to win the World Series against the Oakland Athletics. Hershiser was recognized as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of both the NLCS and the World Series.
Following his stellar 1988 season, Hershiser maintained a solid performance in 1989, posting a 15-15 record with a 2.31 ERA. In 1990, he made only four starts before being sidelined due to a torn labrum, which required reconstructive surgery. Hershiser returned to the Dodgers near the end of May in 1991 and soon after recorded his 100th career win. He concluded the season with a 7-2 record and a 3.46 ERA, earning the UPI Comeback Player of the Year Award. In 1992, Hershiser recorded a 10-15 record with a 3.67 ERA across 33 games. He pitched 33 games again in 1993, achieving a 12-14 record with a 3.59 ERA. During the same season, Hershiser batted .356 in 83 plate appearances, earning him a Silver Slugger Award. He remained with the Dodgers through the 1994 season but departed amidst the 1994-95 MLB strike, which ended the season on August 11th.
Cleveland Indians (1995-1997)
In the spring of 1995, Hershiser signed a three-year contract with the Cleveland Indians. That season, he posted a 16-6 record with a 3.87 ERA, helping lead the team to its first postseason appearance in over 40 years. The Indians won the American League Championship Series (ALCS), with Hershiser being named the MVP. In the World Series, the team was defeated by the Atlanta Braves in six games. Hershiser pitched for two more seasons with the Indians, and in his final season in 1997, he helped the team reach the World Series again. However, they were defeated by the Florida Marlins in seven games.
Final Playing Years (1998-2000)
In late 1997, Hershiser signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants. He pitched one season for the team in 1998, going 11-10 with a 4.41 ERA. In early 1999, Hershiser signed a minor league contract with the Indians but was released during spring training. He then signed with the New York Mets, going 13-12 with a 4.58 ERA in the 1999 season. He helped the Mets reach the NLCS, where they were defeated by the Braves. Hershiser concluded his professional playing career with his original team, the Dodgers, in 2000. However, he posted a 13.14 ERA and was released in June.
Post-Retirement Career
Following his retirement from playing, Hershiser transitioned into broadcasting, becoming a color analyst for the Little League World Series on ABC and ESPN. He also appeared on ESPN’s “Wednesday Night Baseball” in 2001. Later that year, Hershiser joined the Texas Rangers as a special assistant, and in mid-2002, he was appointed the team’s pitching coach. He departed from his position after the 2005 season to become an executive director for the Rangers but resigned from that role in early 2006. Subsequently, Hershiser returned to ESPN as a baseball analyst. In 2014, he left ESPN to become a television analyst for the Dodgers on SportsNet LA.
Beyond baseball, Hershiser has pursued a career as a competitive poker player, starting in 2006. After moving to Summerlin, Nevada, he befriended a poker instructor and became a regular in Red Rock Resort’s poker room. He eventually signed with Poker Royalty. In 2008, Hershiser was invited to play in the NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship, where he reached the quarterfinals. He has participated in other poker events, including the 2008 World Series of Poker, the 2008 World Championship of Online Poker, and the 2009 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.
Personal Life and Real Estate
From his first marriage to Jamie Byars, Hershiser has two sons named Quinton and Jordan. With his second wife, Dana Deaver, he has two stepchildren. The couple resides in Las Vegas. During his time playing in Los Angeles, Hershiser lived in a 12,000-square-foot mansion in Pasadena. He sold this home in 1995 for an undisclosed amount. The subsequent buyers sold the home in 2021 for $13 million. In 2009, Hershiser purchased a home in the Las Vegas suburb of Summerlin for $985,000. He sold this home in 2019 for slightly over $1 million.
Further Details on Orel Hershiser’s Net Worth
While the primary source indicates a net worth of $14 million for Orel Hershiser, it’s essential to consider the multifaceted nature of calculating an individual’s net worth. This figure typically includes not only the previously mentioned career earnings of $37,582,001 but also incorporates various other factors. These factors can include investment portfolios consisting of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, real estate holdings beyond the Summerlin property mentioned, and any business ventures or endorsements Hershiser may have engaged in during and after his baseball career.
Furthermore, it is important to account for potential liabilities, such as outstanding loans, mortgages on properties (if any exist), and tax obligations. Given that net worth is a fluid figure that fluctuates with market conditions and investment performance, the $14 million estimate provides a general snapshot of Hershiser’s financial standing. Without access to Hershiser’s specific financial records, a precise calculation of his current net worth remains an approximation based on publicly available information and common estimation methods.
The real estate transactions mentioned, such as the Pasadena mansion and the Summerlin home, offer insights into Hershiser’s asset management strategies. The Pasadena mansion, sold in 1995, suggests a significant capital gain, considering it was later sold for $13 million in 2021. Similarly, the Summerlin home, purchased for $985,000 and sold for over $1 million, indicates a modest profit. These real estate dealings, combined with his career earnings and potential investment income, contribute to the overall assessment of his financial health and net worth. To further refine this estimate, one would need detailed information on his investment strategies, philanthropic activities, and other financial engagements, which are typically private and not disclosed publicly.
In addition to real estate investments, Orel Hershiser’s post-retirement career as a broadcaster and analyst for ESPN and SportsNet LA likely provides a steady stream of income, further contributing to his net worth. The specifics of these contracts, including salary and duration, are not publicly available, but such roles typically command substantial compensation, especially for individuals with Hershiser’s profile and experience. Similarly, his involvement in professional poker, including appearances at the World Series of Poker and other tournaments, represents another potential income stream, although the profitability of this endeavor would depend on his success and winnings in these events.
Moreover, any endorsements or promotional deals Hershiser may have secured during his baseball career or subsequently could also contribute to his net worth. Endorsement income can vary significantly depending on the brand, the scope of the endorsement, and the athlete’s profile. Without specific details on these endorsements, it is challenging to quantify their impact on his overall financial standing, but they could represent a notable addition to his net worth.
It is also worth considering the impact of taxes on Hershiser’s earnings and investments. High-income earners in the United States are subject to significant federal and state income taxes, which can substantially reduce net earnings. Effective tax planning and wealth management strategies can help mitigate the impact of taxes on net worth, but taxes remain a significant consideration in assessing an individual’s overall financial health.
Therefore, while the $14 million estimate provides a valuable benchmark, a more accurate calculation of Orel Hershiser’s net worth would necessitate a comprehensive analysis of his assets, liabilities, income streams, investment performance, and tax obligations. Given the private nature of much of this information, the $14 million figure serves as a reasonable approximation based on available public data.
Orel Hershiser’s Key Milestones
Several key milestones mark Orel Hershiser’s career trajectory. In 1988, he pitched 59 consecutive scoreless innings, setting a new MLB record. In 1989, he became the first $3 million player in MLB history with a three-year, $7.9 million contract extension with the Dodgers. In 1995, he was named the ALCS MVP with the Cleveland Indians.
