Tex says goodbye, will ‘always be a Yankee’

NEW YORK — Mark Teixeira’s baseball life started in a Maryland backyard, where his father, John, taught him how to switch-hit by raking Wiffle balls across the lawn. It ended on Sunday in the Bronx, where the slugger said he will always consider himself a Yankee.

Teixeira played his last Major League game in the Yankees’ 5-2 loss to the Orioles, going hitless in three at-bats and making two dazzling defensive plays before being removed during the seventh inning. Teixeira hugged his teammates and waved his cap before leaving the diamond for the final time.

“It was huge. I wanted to make sure that I got to say goodbye and thank you one last time,” Teixeira said. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more but a win; that would have been nice. But I got a chance to say goodbye, which was very important.”

Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner, his wife, Christina, and general partner/vice chairperson Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal presented Teixeira, his wife, Leigh, and their three children with a framed jersey commemorating his final game. Teammates Brett Gardner and CC Sabathia offered Teixeira a framed base, signed by the 2016 roster.

Teixeira, 36, also received a “Thank You” card from Harlem RBI executive director Rich Berlin, which had been signed by hundreds of participants. Teixeira has been instrumental in the charity, donating more than $1 million while helping to raise more than $10 million.

“He just lives his life the right way,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “You never hear anything about Mark in the papers. He was prepared to play every day. He was a tough guy. …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com