Guide Note:

Mark Teixeira is a Major League first baseman who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Fast Facts:

1. Born: April 11, 1980 in Annapolis, Maryland
2. College: Georgia Tech
3. Bats: Switch hitter
4. 2006 All-Star Game MVP
5. Won consecutive Gold Gloves at first base in 2005 and 2006

A native of the Baltimore area, Teixeira was chosen by the Boston Red Sox in the 1998 draft, but the promising slugger decided to attend Georgia Tech instead, where he won the Dick Howser Trophy for being the top collegiate baseball player of the year. In the 2001 draft, Teixeira was chosen by the Texas Rangers and he made his debut with the team in 2003, after spending only one year in the minors. By 2005, Teixeira had established himself as one of the best hitters in the game, clubbing 43 home runs, and driving in 144 RBIs, all the while compiling a .301 batting average. For his achievements in 2004 and 2005, the young first baseman received the Silver Slugger Award.

Teixeira's numbers cooled off slightly in 2006, although he still hit over 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, and batted .282. As his contract with the Rangers neared an end in 2007, Teixeira turned down an eight year, $140,000,000 contract offer from the team, and was traded to the Atlanta Braves.

In 2008, Teixeira was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for first baseman Casey Kotchman and Stephen Marek. ¹