BARRANQUILLA, Colombia — Former New York Yankees fan favorite Gio Urshela returned to his home in Colombia expecting a quiet holiday weekend. What he found instead was an empty safe and missing jewelry worth $1 million. The thieves knew exactly where to look.
The 34-year-old third baseman announced the break-in through social media on Saturday. Criminals entered his Barranquilla residence while he and his family were away. They went straight to the master bedroom where Urshela sleeps with his wife and daughter.
But it was not the financial loss that troubled him most. It was the suspicion that someone close to him may have helped plan the heist.
The thieves knew too much
According to police reports and Urshela’s own account, the burglars showed precise knowledge of the home’s layout. They bypassed other rooms and headed directly to where valuables were stored. The stolen items included high-end jewelry, luxury watches, and personal collectibles accumulated during a decade-long MLB career.
Urshela posted a message on Instagram that hinted at betrayal.
“It was my turn today in the city of Barranquilla, where criminals targeted my house. Fortunately, we were outside, but the thieves took advantage of the situation to enter and go directly to the bedroom where I sleep with my wife and daughter, stealing jewelry and valuables. It’s a large sum of money, which is really the least of it, and that, given the circumstances, it happened this way and not any other way. Material things can be replaced, and I want to take this opportunity to tell you to always be aware of everything and everyone around you, because the person closest to you is the one who could be harming you. We are already working to recover what was stolen.”
The Metropolitan Police of Barranquilla are investigating whether an insider provided information about the athlete’s schedule and the location of his valuables. Authorities arrived at the scene to collect fingerprints and review security footage from both the property and surrounding areas.
A Yankees success story turned free agent
Yankees fans remember Urshela fondly. The Colombian infielder arrived in the Bronx as an afterthought in August 2018. The Blue Jays traded him for cash considerations. Nobody expected much from a player who had batted .225 across parts of four seasons.
Then something clicked. Working with hitting coaches in Scranton, Urshela rebuilt his swing. When Miguel Andujar tore his labrum in April 2019, the Yankees called up Urshela. He seized the opportunity and never let go.
In 132 games that season, Urshela hit .314 with 21 home runs. He made spectacular plays at third base. Yankees fans treated him like a homegrown star. The following year, he batted .298 with a .490 slugging percentage. He led all qualifying third basemen with a .992 fielding percentage.
The highlight came in the 2020 playoffs. Facing his former team Cleveland, Urshela crushed a go-ahead grand slam in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series. He became the first Yankees third baseman to hit a postseason grand slam in franchise history.
Urshela’s career took a different turn after trade
The Yankees traded Urshela and catcher Gary Sanchez to Minnesota in March 2022. The deal brought Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa to New York. Urshela continued playing well, batting .285 with the Twins that season.
His career took a harsh turn in 2023. Playing for the Angels, Urshela suffered a left pelvis fracture in June. The injury sidelined him for the final three months of that season. He has struggled to regain his form since.
The 2024 season saw Urshela bounce between Detroit and Atlanta. He signed with Oakland for 2025 but was designated for assignment in mid-August after hitting just .238 with no home runs. The Athletics released him on August 17.
Over 10 MLB seasons, Urshela accumulated a .270 career average with 73 home runs and 352 RBIs across 851 games. He played for eight different franchises. His time with the Yankees remains the peak of his career, both statistically and in fan appreciation.
Winter ball season interrupted
Urshela spent part of this offseason playing in the Dominican Republic for Leones del Escogido. He batted .340 with a .420 on-base percentage in 14 games before leaving to attend to personal matters in late November.
The robbery occurred during what should have been a peaceful holiday break in his hometown. Barranquilla has experienced a spike in high-profile crimes during December. Local officials face mounting pressure to address security concerns.
Urshela expressed gratitude that his family was not home during the break-in. “Fortunately we were outside the house,” he noted. The player confirmed he is cooperating with police and working to recover the stolen items.
Athletes remain targets for criminals
Urshela joins a growing list of professional athletes targeted by sophisticated burglary rings. Earlier this year, federal authorities charged seven Chilean men in connection with robberies at homes belonging to NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow. The so-called crime tourism operations specifically target wealthy athletes.
Police have not indicated whether Urshela’s robbery connects to any larger criminal organization. The investigation remains active. Authorities said they have identified important clues that could lead to the suspects.
For now, Urshela remains a free agent on the baseball field. His MLB future remains uncertain. The robbery adds another difficult chapter to a challenging stretch since leaving the Yankees organization three years ago.
Yankees fans across social media expressed support for their former third baseman. Many recalled his clutch performances and steady defense during his Bronx tenure. The player thanked supporters for their messages while urging everyone to stay vigilant about those they trust.
The warning in his Instagram post lingers. Sometimes the threat comes not from strangers but from those closest to you. For Urshela, the stolen jewelry represents more than financial loss. It represents a broken sense of security in his own home.
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