What Is Will Clark’s Net Worth?
Will Clark, the celebrated former American professional baseball player, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $22 million. This figure reflects his successful career, primarily as a first baseman, and subsequent ventures. His financial standing is a testament to his performance on the field and strategic career decisions.
Will Clark’s Baseball Career Earnings
During his time in Major League Baseball (MLB), Will Clark amassed a total of $54.2 million in salary. Adjusting for inflation, this amount is equivalent to approximately $90 million in today’s dollars. His earnings peaked in his final year with the Baltimore Orioles in 2000, where he earned $6 million, which equates to roughly $9 million today. However, when adjusted for inflation, the $5.6 million he earned in 1995 with the Texas Rangers is equivalent to around $9.66 million today, representing the highest inflation-adjusted value of his annual salaries.
Clark began his MLB career after being drafted by the San Francisco Giants as the second overall pick in the 1985 MLB Draft. His performance quickly garnered attention, earning him six MLB All-Star honors between 1988 and 1992, and again in 1994. He was named the MVP of the 1989 National League Championship Series (NLCS) and won the Gold Glove Award in 1991. Additionally, he received the Silver Slugger Award twice, in 1989 and 1991. In 1988, he led the National League in runs batted in (RBI). His contributions to the Giants were further recognized when the team retired his number 22, and he was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame and enshrined on the San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame.
Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Born William Nuschler Clark Jr. on March 13, 1964, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Will Clark’s journey to professional baseball began at Jesuit High School. He later played college baseball at Mississippi State University, where he formed a formidable duo with Rafael Palmeiro, known as “Thunder and Lightning.” In 1983, he played for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League and earned All-Star recognition. He also represented the United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, winning a silver medal and leading the team with a .429 batting average, nine hits, eight RBIs, and tying for the team lead with three home runs. In 1985, “The Sporting News” named Clark an All-American, and he received the Golden Spikes Award. While a fan of the Kansas City Royals growing up, he was drafted by them in the fourth round of the 1982 draft but chose not to sign.
Post-Playing Career and Hall of Fame Inductions
After retiring from professional baseball, Will Clark remained active in the sport, working in the front offices of the Arizona Diamondbacks and as a Special Assistant for the San Francisco Giants. His contributions to baseball have been widely recognized, leading to his induction into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
Personal Life and Real Estate Investments
In 1994, Will Clark married Lise White. Together, they have a son named Trey, born in 1996, who was diagnosed with autism at two years old, and a daughter named Ella. Will Clark is actively involved as a spokesman for Autism Speaks and Anova. In 1999, Lise underwent open-heart surgery to correct a hole that had been undiagnosed since birth. In 2007, Will Clark purchased a one-acre undeveloped property in a gated community in Prairieville, Louisiana. On this land, he constructed a substantial 9,000-square-foot mansion, the cost of which remains undisclosed.
Throughout his career, Will Clark maintained a .303 batting average, hit 284 home runs, and recorded 1,205 runs batted in. These statistics reflect his skill and impact on the game. His highest single-season salary was $6 million earned in 2000, which is around $9 million today after adjusting for inflation. The $5.6 million salary he earned in 1995 from the Texas Rangers is worth around $9.66 million today after adjusting for inflation.