Mark Teixeira, former professional baseball first baseman, discussed his draft experience, where he expected to be a top pick but ended up being selected in the ninth round, highlighting the business-driven nature of the sport. Teixeira was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.

“I was supposed to be a top 10 or 15 pick in the first round of the draft that year,” said Teixeira on a recent edition of the Texas Talks Podcast. “Teams started calling the day before the draft, 'Hey, will you take this, take this?' I kept saying no. I said no to the wrong team, and this team told everybody that I wasn't going to sign, that I was just going to go to college. ”

“I went from being a top 10 or 15 pick in the draft to going in the ninth round, and it was that team, the Boston Red Sox, was that team that drafted me” said Teixeira. “I learned right away that this is a business. They do not care, they're going to try to get their player for the least amount of money as possible."

Teixeira, a former MLB player, had a 14-season career with teams like the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Anaheim Angels, and New York Yankees. He achieved success with three All-Star selections, five Gold Glove Awards, and three Silver Slugger Awards.

Texas Talks podcast is hosted by Brad Swail. The weekly show is focused on public policy in the state of Texas, with insights from the people and organizations that influence it.

The podcast is available on Simple Cast and YouTube.