Baseball Players Who are Surprisingly Good at Poker

Take a few moments to think about some of the most well-known names within the world of Major League Baseball. While countless personalities will come to mind, they are not often associated with their pursuits outside of the diamond. However, you might be surprised to learn that a handful of famous players have also enjoyed the poker circuit over the years.

Not only does this display a talent for real-time strategy, but it also illustrates the fact that the players themselves are much more multifaceted than we may have been initially led to believe. Let us take a look at a handful of individuals who have made their mark within the casino industry.

Orel Hershiser

Hershiser is still one of the most well-known and formidable pitchers that the sport has ever produced. While known for his talents while on the mound, many fans will be interested to learn that he is also an avid poker player. Hershiser first became involved in live competitions in 2008 and since this time, he has racked up a series of impressive victories. It is estimated that he has walked away with a purse totalling a tidy $98,000 dollars in tournament winnings. While we are not likely to see him at the next World Series of Poker, he has certainly proved his prowess.

Jose Canseco

This Athletics player was known as one of the home run kings in his heyday. Although Canseco is now retied from the sport, he still enjoys a bit of fast-paced action on occasion. He has participated in a number of online casino competitions as well as a handful of live Las Vegas tournaments since as far back as 2007. With winnings totalling just over $9,000 dollars, this hard hitter might have found another means to make his name known even after his retirement.

Charitable Causes

Baseball players have always been known for their willingness to contribute to charitable goals. So, it only stands to reason that many casino competitions were employed to raise thousands for organisations dedicated to bettering the lives of others. One of the most well-known examples of this observation can be see in the MLB Players Association; a charity partnered with many noble causes. Some of the players who chose to participate in a large 2017 event included:

• Bryce Harper
• Dexter Fowler
• Dana Eveland
• Danny Farquhar

Not only did these players enjoy a fair amount of competition across the felt, but we have to imagine that they thrived upon the notion of mentally squaring off with their rivals.

Casino games have always attracted a range of famous personalities. From Frank Sinatra to Ben Affleck and Gerard Pique, the sheer appeal of these competitions is a truly mesmerizing experience. This is why it should come as no great surprise that baseball players have likewise jumped on the proverbial bandwagon. Whether for fun or charity, we should fully expect even more baseball icons to become involved in such stimulating ventures.