Net Worth Ranker
What Is Miguel Tejada’s Net Worth?
Miguel Tejada, a former professional baseball player from the Dominican Republic, has a reported net worth of $40,000. This is despite earning nearly $100 million in MLB salaries alone during his sixteen-year career. Unfortunately, financial difficulties led to a reported personal bankruptcy filing in 2015.
Miguel Tejada’s Baseball Career and Earnings
Tejada, nicknamed “La Guagua,” distinguished himself as a premier shortstop known for his ability to drive in runs. He played for six different MLB teams, most notably the Oakland Athletics and the Baltimore Orioles. His baseball journey began with the Oakland Athletics, signing on and being assigned to their minor league system. He quickly developed into a top-notch prospect, demonstrating early signs of power. He joined the Athletics major league club in 1997. In 1998, he secured the starting shortstop position.
Tejada’s significant rise in the league occurred during his time with the Oakland Athletics. In 2002, Tejada hit .308 with 34 home runs. He played with Oakland until 2004, when he joined the Baltimore Orioles as one of the game’s top players. He also played with the Orioles until 2007 and again in 2010 and 2012, the Houston Astros from 2008 to 2009, the San Diego Padres in 2010, the San Francisco Giants in 2011, and the Kansas City Royals in 2013.
Throughout his MLB career, Miguel Tejada was a six-time All-Star (2002, 2004-2006, 2008, 2009). He was a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2004, 2005). In 2002, he won the AL MVP award and was the MLB RBI leader for 2004. His career statistics include a .285 batting average, 2,407 hits, 307 home runs, and 1,302 runs batted in.
Financial details of Tejada’s contracts offer further insight into his earnings. In 2000, he signed a four-year, $11.3 million contract with the Oakland Athletics. In December 2003, he secured a six-year, $72 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles. Later in his career, he played on one-year contracts with the Orioles, Giants, and Royals, earning $6 million, $6.5 million, and $1.1 million, respectively. Overall, Miguel Tejada earned over $96 million in salary alone, supplemented by millions more from endorsements.
Legal and Personal Financial Issues
Despite his substantial MLB earnings, Miguel Tejada faced significant financial difficulties. In 2015, it was reported that he filed for personal bankruptcy. Further legal troubles arose in November 2022 when he was reportedly arrested in the Dominican Republic for allegedly passing bad checks.
In 2006, Miguel Tejada purchased a 6,500-square-foot waterfront mansion in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for $3.5 million. He initially listed the property for sale in September 2013 for $5.5 million, later raising the price to $6 million. The house was eventually sold in December 2017 for $2.33 million. Prior to the sale, the property was burglarized, vandalized, and $500,000 worth of valuables were stolen.
Miguel Tejada’s story underscores how substantial income does not always guarantee long-term financial security. His current estimated net worth reflects the consequences of financial mismanagement, resulting in a stark contrast to his once considerable earnings.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Miguel Odalis Tejada was born on May 25, 1974, in Bani, a city approximately 40 miles southwest of Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. Growing up in conditions of extreme poverty, he idolized Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken, Jr., which motivated him to enhance his baseball skills. His performance caught the attention of minor league scouts in the mid-1990s, leading to his initial contract with the Oakland Athletics.
