Richest baseball players have earned their fortunes through successful careers in Major League Baseball (MLB) and lucrative endorsement deals. This article will explore the wealthiest baseball players of all time, highlighting their achievements and sources of income.
Manny Ramirez
With an estimated net worth of $110 million, Manny Ramirez is one of the richest baseball players. The former player for the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays amassed his fortune primarily from a $160 million contract with the Red Sox in 2000. Ramirez continues to earn around $2 million annually from the Red Sox.
Joey Votto
First baseman for the Cincinnati Reds, Joey Votto, also has a net worth of $110 million. In 2012, Votto signed a 12-year contract with the Reds worth $251.5 million, which included the two years left on his existing contract. Sponsorships with Nike and Rawlings have also contributed to his wealth.
Randy Johnson
Randy Johnson, a pitcher for the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks, boasts a net worth of $115 million. His largest contract, a four-year deal signed in 1999, was worth $52.4 million. Johnson has also earned money from several endorsements, including GEICO, Nike, and Right Guard.
Ryan Howard
Former Philadelphia Phillies player Ryan Howard has a net worth of $120 million. Howard won the 2008 World Series and was selected as an All-Star three times. His five-year contract in 2010 was worth $125 million, and he has endorsed numerous brands, including Subway, Adidas, and Verizon.
Zack Greinke
Pitcher Zack Greinke, who has played for six different MLB teams, also has a net worth of $120 million. Greinke returned to the Kansas City Royals in 2022 after leaving 12 years earlier. His one-year contract with the Royals is worth $13 million and includes an additional $2 million based on performance bonuses.
Miguel Cabrera
Detroit Tigers’ first baseman Miguel Cabrera has a net worth of $125 million. In 2014, Cabrera signed an eight-year contract extension with the Tigers worth $248 million. He has also endorsed various brands, including Sony PlayStation, Oakley, and T-Mobile.
Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols, a first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, has a net worth of $170 million. Pujols is one of only four players to have over 2,000 Runs Batted In (RBI) in his career and has hit over 650 home runs. His one-year deal with the Cardinals is reportedly worth $2.5 million, and he currently earns about $700k per year from a deal with Nike.
Ichiro Suzuki
Former Japanese player Ichiro Suzuki, who played 18 seasons in the MLB, has a net worth of $180 million. Suzuki spent most of his MLB career with the Seattle Mariners and also played for the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins. His largest contract, a five-year, $90 million deal with the Mariners in 2007, contributed significantly to his wealth. Suzuki has also earned a substantial amount of money from endorsements, particularly in Japan.
Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter, a former New York Yankees player, has a net worth of $200 million. Jeter won the World Series five times during his career and is one of the most prominent names in baseball history. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020, receiving an impressive 99.7% of the vote. Jeter was the Yankees’ player of the year five times and was selected as an All-Star 14 times. His most significant contract was a 10-year, $189 million deal with the Yankees in 2001.
Jeter’s wealth also comes from endorsement deals with major companies such as Nike, Gatorade, Gillette, Ford, and VISA. Off the field, he has been a successful businessman, with ventures including his media company, The Players’ Tribune.
Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez, who has had a controversial career, is also among the richest baseball players. He spent 22 years in the MLB, playing for the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and New York Yankees, and was selected as an All-Star 14 times. He won the World Series in 2009, but his career has been marred by allegations of drug use.
Rodriguez signed two of the top 10 biggest free-agent contracts in MLB history – a 10-year, $252 million contract in 2001 and a 10-year, $275 million contract in 2008. He also founded an investment firm called A-Rod Corp in 1995, which has contributed to his wealth. In addition, Rodriguez has had many large endorsement deals throughout his career.
In conclusion, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez are two of the richest baseball players in history, having earned massive fortunes from their playing careers and off-field ventures. These athletes have not only excelled in their sport but have also capitalized on their success to build substantial wealth.