Robin Ventura Net Worth

What is Robin Ventura's Net Worth?

Robin Ventura is an American former professional baseball player and manager who has a net worth of $25 million. He played 16 seasons in MLB from 1989 to 2004, the majority with the Chicago White Sox, and won six career Gold Glove Awards. Following his playing career, Ventura managed the White Sox from 2012 to 2016.

Contracts, Salary & Career Earnings

Robin Ventura earned over $67 million during his 16-year MLB career, primarily with the Chicago White Sox, New York Mets, Yankees, and Dodgers. His peak salary was $8.25 million with the Yankees in 2002. In 1996, he ranked among MLB's top earners at $6 million.

Early Life and High School

Robin Ventura was born on July 14, 1967 in Santa Maria, California to Darlene and John. He has Italian and Portuguese ancestry. As a teenager, Ventura went to Righetti High School.

Collegiate Career

For college, Ventura attended Oklahoma State University, where he was a star player on the Cowboys baseball team. As a freshman in 1986, he led the nation in runs (107), RBI (96), and total bases (204). Ventura led the nation in RBI again in 1987, a year that also saw him set a new NCAA Division I record with his 58-game hitting streak. The Cowboys reached the 1987 College World Series, but lost to the Stanford Cardinal. That summer, Ventura played in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Hyannis Mets. Although he left OSU during his studies, Ventura returned in early 2020 to complete his degree, and earned his bachelor's degree in 2022. He also served as a student assistant coach for the Cowboys during this time.

Amateur Career

Representing the United States, Ventura played in the 1987 Intercontinental Cup in Havana, Cuba, and won a silver medal. He helped the US win another silver in the 1988 Baseball World Cup in Rome. Not long after that, Ventura and the US team won gold at the Summer Olympics in Seoul. For his year in 1988, Ventura was honored with the Golden Spikes Award as the best amateur baseball player in the country.

Chicago White Sox

In the 1988 MLB draft, Ventura was chosen by the Chicago White Sox. He spent most of his first season in 1989 with the Double-A Birmingham Barons before making his debut for the White Sox in September. In his first full MLB season in 1990, Ventura recorded 123 hits in 150 games, but also made 25 errors. His breakout season came in 1991, when he set a team record for RBI at third base and won his first of six Gold Glove Awards. Ventura continued his success in 1992 and 1993, in the latter year recording his 500th career hit and claiming his third consecutive Gold Glove. His 1993 season was also marked by a bench-clearing brawl between him and Texas Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan that occurred after he was hit by Ryan's pitch. The White Sox ended up winning the AL West in 1993, ultimately making it to the ALCS. There, they lost to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Ventura had a remarkable season in 1995, becoming just the eighth player in MLB history to hit two grand slams in a single game, which he did in early September. He finished the season with a career-high .295 batting average. Ventura was equally impressive in 1996, achieving new career highs in home runs, RBI, and fielding percentage and winning his fourth Gold Glove. His 1997 season was far less productive, as an ankle injury during spring training kept him on the sidelines until late July. However, in his first game back, he made the game-winning hit, and the following night, he hit a grand slam. Ventura spent one more season with the White Sox in 1998, and won his fifth Gold Glove. Despite consistently solid home run and RBI totals, the White Sox repeatedly tried to trade him, as team owner Jerry Reinsdorf alleged that his performance was deteriorating.

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New York Mets

In late 1998, Ventura signed a four-year contract with the New York Mets. Despite a knee injury in August, he had a terrific first season with the team in 1999, hitting .301 with 32 home runs and 120 RBI. The Mets advanced to the postseason, reaching the NLCS against the Atlanta Braves. In Game 5 of the series, Ventura made a game-winning hit that would have normally been ruled a grand slam, but because of on-field celebration that prevented him from rounding all the bases, it was deemed a single. This play became known as the "Grand Slam Single." The Mets went on to lose the NLCS to the Braves in six games. Ventura finished the season by winning his sixth and final Gold Glove, and his only in the National League.

Still recovering from off-season surgery in 2000, Ventura batted .232 with 24 home runs and 84 RBI. The Mets made it back to the postseason, this time advancing all the way to the World Series. Ventura made his only World Series home run in 2000, but it wasn't enough to overcome the dominant New York Yankees, who won the series in five games. In his final season with the Mets in 2001, Ventura batted .237 with 21 home runs and 61 RBI.

New York Yankees

After the 2001 season, Ventura was traded to the New York Yankees. With the team in 2002, he hit .247 with 27 homers and 93 RBI. The Yankees reached the ALDS, but lost to the Anaheim Angels. As a free agent, Ventura re-signed with the team on a one-year contract for the 2003 season. However, he struggled mightily that season, and made 23 errors before he was traded at the end of July.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Ventura was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the end of July in 2003, but spent the majority of the season on the bench. He ended up serving as a backup infielder and pinch hitter in the 2004 season, and made his pitching debut in a blowout loss to the Angels. On a more positive note, Ventura recorded his 17th and 18th career grand slams. The Dodgers made it to the NLDS, but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in four games. After the season, Ventura retired from playing due to arthritis in his ankle.

Managerial Career

In 2011, after briefly serving as special advisor to the director of player development for the White Sox, Ventura became the team's new manager. In his first season as manager in 2012, the team compiled an 85-77 record. That would be the peak of his managing career, as the White Sox recorded four consecutive losing seasons after that. As a result, Ventura stepped down as manager following the 2016 season.

Personal Life

In 1990, Ventura married his high school sweetheart Stephanie. They have four children together: Rachel, Madison, Grace, and Jack.

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