Homes of MLB Players
As baseball players are traded, bought, or signed as free agents, they leave behind homes and need new ones. Consequently, real estate markets from Boston to San Diego are awash each spring in high-end homes for sale belonging to departing and arriving Yankees, Dodgers, and Braves.
Not all players’ homes are mansions and penthouses—the following properties owned by 300-300 club members, Hall of Famers, and a 12-time All-Star and a 21-season veteran include at least one ranch house. All but one, however, appeared on TopTenRealEstateDeals.com’s annual list of Luxurious MLB Homes, starting off with a timely addition from one of New York’s most prominent longtime Yankees.
By Colleen KanePosted 23 April 2012
Derek Jeter
Price: $17.95 million
Location: New York
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 5 full, 1 half
Square footage: 5,425
Derek Jeter is selling his Midtown East apartment in Trump World Tower at UN Plaza, according to the New York Post. The apartment was once home to another heavy hitter: Jeter bought it for $12.72 million in 2001 from Donald Trump.
The 16-foot ceilings and south-facing, 77-foot wall of windows allow panoramic Manhattan views. The bachelor Jeter’s pad includes ultra-suede wallpaper, a pool table, poker table, dining for 14, and a tabletop Pac-Man machine. The Post reports that Jeter is downsizing to a smaller pied-à-terre. But he still has room to spread out at his recently completed 30,000 square-foot spring training home in Tampa, Fla.
Walt Weiss
Price: $3.999 million
Location: Castle Rock, Colo.
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 8
Square footage: 10,668
Walt Weiss, the 1988 American League Rookie of the Year, played 13 seasons for the Oakland A's, Florida Marlins, Colorado Rockies, and Atlanta Braves before retiring in 2000.
With a batting cage inside the house and a full-size baseball diamond anchoring its 73 acres, its owner’s profession is immediately obvious to potential buyers who come for a tour.
Barry Larkin
Price: $10.9 million
Location: Orlando, Fla.
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 10 full, 3 half
Square footage: 14,477
The former shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds and newest member of the Hall of Fame is selling his Orlando party palace located on 2.8 acres in the Isle of Osprey / Bay Hill Community on Lake Chase.
The home has two separate docks, one accommodating up to four boats and the other three Jet-Skis. Other features include a lighted tennis court, outdoor basketball court, and full kitchen with theater and fireplace. Inside is a nearly 1,000 square-foot master bedroom, a disco lounge, gym, spa, bar, and a performance room with a stage.
Adrian Beltre
Price: $19.5 million
Location: Bradbury, Calif.
Bedrooms: 7
Bathrooms: 16
Square footage: 16,600
Texas Rangers third-baseman Adrian Beltre is selling his Mediterranean-style mansion in the gated Bradbury Estates, near Los Angeles.
The estate’s 4.16 acres feature an Infinity pool, cabana, 2,500 square-foot guest house, a golf course, basketball and tennis courts. Inside, visitors are greeted with a grand dual-staircase entry and treated to a banquet hall, a movie theater seating 24, and a wine and cigar room.
Jonathan Papelbon
Price: $3.1 million
Location: Boston
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Square footage: 2,500
After seven seasons with the Red Sox, Papelbon signed a four-year contract with the Phillies over the winter and has put his Beacon Street condo up for sale.
The penthouse has coffered ceilings, custom cabinetry, and two rooftop decks—one with a hot tub with a view of downtown and the other overlooking the Charles River. The highlight for baseball fans, though, is the two Fenway Park seats in the nursery.
Matt Cain
Price: $1.8 million
Location: San Francisco
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Square footage: 2,815
In March, the prominent Giants pitcher sold his Diamond Heights San Francisco house for $1.8 million—and according to Top Ten Real Estate Deals and “several Bay area agents,” that sum was $5,000 more than the asking price.
Built in 1968, the updated and light-filled home has a modern kitchen and a solarium, as well as views of the city and Bay.
John Smoltz
Price: $7.2 million
Location: Milton, Georgia
Bedrooms: 10
Bathrooms: 14
Square footage: 18,625
John Smoltz played all but one of his 21 seasons for the Atlanta Braves before retiring in 2009. His mansion in Milton, Georgia is now for sale.
Built in 2002 on 22 acres, it has six fireplaces inside and a long list of outdoor athletic amenities outside, including an 18-hole golf course, a baseball diamond, a fishing pond, jogging trail, football field, and tennis and basketball courts.
Jamie Moyer
Price: $5.35 million
Location: Seattle
Bedrooms: 7
Bathrooms: 5
Square footage: 7,100
At 49, Jamie Moyer is one of the most well-traveled players, having played for eight teams. He recently became the oldest pitcher to ever win a major-league game.
Moyer’s house, built in 1933, is also one of the older houses in this collection, with charming details like the basement door under the stairs. Two features that are probably not original to the house are the batting cage and the outdoor pizza oven. The property also has a saltwater pool, bath house and croquet court.
Nomar Garciaparra
Price: $595,000
Location: Whittier, Calif.
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Square footage: 2,786
Nomar Garciaparra played nine seasons at shortstop for the Boston Red Sox before moving on to the Oakland A's, the L.A. Dodgers, and the Chicago Cubs. He apparently likes being home, evidenced by the fact that he is the only MLB player to ever hit two grand slams in one game at his home stadium.
Garciaparra is now selling the Spanish-style ranch that was his childhood home. It was built in 1949 but has been completely remodeled. The guest house also has an updated floor and amenities.
Reggie Sanders
Price: $2.195 million
Location: Scottsdale, Ariz.
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 7
Square footage: 7,905
Reggie Sanders played most of his career as an outfielder with the Cincinnati Reds, but he also played for seven other teams. He’s one of just six members of the exclusive 300-300 club, meaning he has hit 300 home runs and has stolen 300 bases.
Sanders’ Spanish-style house, built in 1999, sits on nearly an acre in a gated community. The house has a master chef kitchen and a wet bar, and a den with cherry wood built-ins. The backyard has a spa, waterfall and pool.
Mark Teixiera
Price: $3.995 million
Location: Westlake, Texas
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 8
Square footage: 8,554
The New York Yankees’ first-baseman Mark Teixiera’s 2005 estate has been on and off the market (currently on) since his departure from the Texas Rangers after the 2007 season. Its wood-paneled grand entryway, exposed beam ceilings, and stone fireplace add rustic touches to the house. The outdoor space includes a roomy private patio with kitchen and fire pit, and a pool.