New York — A former New York Yankees World Series champion is under heavy fire online after celebrating a political endorsement that many fans say exposed an awkward disconnect between praise and playing history.
Mark Teixeira, a central figure on the Yankees’ 2009 championship team, sparked a storm this week after highlighting President Donald Trump’s endorsement of his congressional campaign. What followed was not applause from Yankees supporters. It was mockery, anger and viral disbelief.
For Yankees fans who remember Teixeira’s power stroke in the Bronx, the backlash did not begin with politics. It began with baseball.
Yankees slugger steps into Texas political race
Teixeira is running as a Republican candidate in Texas’ 21st Congressional District. The seat is open after Rep. Chip Roy chose to run for Texas attorney general. Ken Paxton is vacating that office in his bid to challenge Sen. John Cornyn.
Trump publicly endorsed the former Yankees first baseman on Truth Social.
“I know Mark well, and he is a TOTAL WINNER, on and off the field! An MLB All-Star, Mark’s career was ‘loaded up’ with Accolades and WINS, including five Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, and a World Series Championship,” Trump wrote.
He added that Teixeira “has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Representative from Texas’ 21st Congressional District – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
Teixeira shared the praise on X.
“Grateful to have President Trump as a supporter — and a fan,” he wrote. “Thank you, Mr. President! Democrats, we’ll see you on the baseball field next year.”
Within minutes, Yankees fans and MLB followers began dissecting the moment.
Yankees fans seize on viral clip
At a Texas event, Trump struggled with Teixeira’s name and praised him for “throwing that ball.” That phrasing lit up social media.
Yankees fans immediately pointed out the obvious. Teixeira was not a pitcher. He was a first baseman throughout his 14-year MLB career. He played for the Yankees, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels. He retired in 2016 with 409 home runs, 1,298 RBIs and a .268 career average.
His arm strength was not what defined his Yankees legacy.
“Throw that ball?” one person replied. “Trump thinks you were a pitcher. He has no clue who you are.”
“Lmao first basemen really known for ‘throwing that ball,’” another wrote.
“He doesn’t even know who you are Mark talkin about throwing the ball,” another replied.
“Holy (expletive) he’s never heard of you before LMAO,” another wrote.
“Could barely pronounce your name and his biggest praise was ‘he could throw that ball,’” another wrote. “Sick dude!”
The clip spread quickly across Yankees fan accounts and baseball forums. The reaction focused less on policy and more on whether the endorsement sounded informed.
For Yankees supporters who watched Teixeira anchor first base during the franchise’s last World Series title, the moment felt jarring.
Yankees resume under microscope
Teixeira’s Yankees tenure remains one of the most productive stretches of his career. In 2009, he led the American League in home runs and helped power the Bronx Bombers to a 103-59 regular-season record. The Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games to capture the franchise’s 27th championship.
He earned five Gold Gloves and three Silver Slugger awards during his career. He was a three-time All-Star. Defense and power defined him. Pitching never did.
That is why the comment about “throwing that ball” became a punchline among Yankees fans.
Some reactions turned sharper.
“That fat (expletive) does not know (expletive) about your playing career lol,” one user wrote.
“Piggy thought you were a pitcher,” another added.
The ridicule centered on the perception that the endorsement lacked basic knowledge of Teixeira’s Yankees role.
Criticism turns personal
The backlash was not limited to baseball accuracy. Some fans criticized Teixeira directly for aligning himself with Trump.
“(Mark Teixeira) I can’t stress this enough,” one person wrote. “You have truly become a huge disappointment. The fact that you align yourself with a lying, cheating, racist, corrupt individual tells a lot about YOU. (Expletive) YOU.”
Others referenced allegations surrounding Trump while questioning Teixeira’s embrace of the endorsement.
At the same time, some supporters applauded the former Yankees star for entering politics. They praised him for stepping into public life beyond baseball.
Teixeira described an “excellent phone call” with Trump after the endorsement.
“Thank you, Mr. President. I’m truly honored by your support, and excited to be part of the team. I’ll fight hard to make sure we keep America safe and prosperous,” he wrote. “Our mission is clear and I’m ready to get to work.”
Yankees identity collides with political spotlight
For Yankees fans, this episode underscores how quickly a celebrated baseball legacy can intersect with modern political battles. Teixeira’s Yankees resume is secure. His postseason moments remain part of franchise lore. But social media does not separate past performance from present statements.
The Yankees brand carries national weight. Former New York champions often remain visible long after retirement. In today’s digital environment, that visibility can magnify every endorsement and every misstep.
In this case, the online reaction did not revolve around campaign promises. It revolved around whether a president praising a Bronx star appeared to know what position he played.
That detail fueled the ridicule.
For many Yankees followers, the irony was unmistakable. A first baseman who built his career on power hitting and Gold Glove defense was suddenly praised for a skill he never claimed.
The result was a viral storm that blended Yankees history, political endorsement and internet humor into one headline-grabbing moment.
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