Baseball is the only major sport in the United States that has its very own song. Take Me Out To The Ball Game is a game-day classic among baseball fans out there. Dubbed America's old game, baseball is today an international sport with fans throughout the world. Despite the steroids' scandal that rocked the sport, baseball remained in the top three sports in America.
Though the old ball game is falling out of favor, it maintains a strong fan base. MLB does not generate as much revenue as the NBA and the NFL, but still gross enough to allow players to go home with a hefty paycheck. Unlike professional lacrosse players, baseball stars do not go for affordable cars that can make anyone look rich.
10 Aaron Judge - Audi A7 55 TFSI
Aaron Judge joined the New York Yankees in 2016. Following several one-year contracts under $1 million, the Yankees would eventually realize how badly they needed Judge. In 2022, Judge signed a juicy one-year $19 million contract extension. The outfielder is currently negotiating a seven to nine-year extension worth well over $250 million.
There are several reasons why piston heads love the 2022 Audi A7. The main reason would be its exquisite figure. For gearheads interested essentially in power, the A7 comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that cranks out 335 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque. With an MSRP of $69,200, the Audi A7 did not hurt Judge's wallet. In fact, this is a wise purchase made by Judge.
9 Bryce Harper - '69 Chevrolet Camaro Restomod
Bryce Harper is a tremendous right fielder. Drafted by the Washington Nationals in 2010, Harper went on to win six All-Stars. His rookie contract was over five years and totaled $9.9 million. The Phillies up the ante by keeping Harper with the help of a 13-year $330 million contract that goes through 2031. During the first 12 seasons of his career, Harper earned a total of $144.419 million.
Harper's Camaro may not be among the coolest restomods gearheads have ever seen, but it is a beauty. Restomodded are a dime a dozen these days despite their hefty price tags. Harper's Camaro comes with a 7.0-liter LS7 V8 that produces 505 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque in its original condition. The sinister Camaro is powerful enough to give Harper a serious adrenaline rush.
8 Fernando Tatis Jr. - BMW M8 Competition
Hailing from the Dominican Republic, Fernando Tatis Jr. chose sunny San Diego to start his MLB career. The shortstop played his first game with the Padres in 2019. Two years after Tatis touched down in San Diego, the Padres offered a 14-year, $340 million contract. Nicknamed "El Niño," Tatis will hopefully help the Padres win a World Series title.
Tatis chose a car that would easily blend in San Diego traffic. The BMW M8 competition is a beast fitted with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 that pumps out 617 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. That amount of power and luxury does not come cheap. With an MSRP of a little over $136,000, the M8 Competition is not made for the average earner. For Tatis, it is just a drop in a bucket.
7 Jose Ramirez - Range Rover Velar
Jose Ramirez made his debut in MLB with the Cleveland Indians in 2013. The third baseman remains loyal to the Indians. Ramirez agreed to a seven-year $141 million extension with the Indians in 2022. While the All-Star third baseman low-balled himself, he is taking home a nice paycheck that will pay for the nice rides Ramirez may want in the future.
The Range Rover Velar is often perceived as a woman's car. However, things are very different in the Dominican Republic. Owning a Range Rover Velar is a blatant sign of success. Equipped at best with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 developing 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque, the Velar is a good entry-level Range Rover. Ramirez went with 22" Lexani wheels.
6 Justin Verlander - Ford GT
Justin Verlander is one of the most talented and awarded active baseball players. Verlander started his professional career in 2005 with the Detroit Tigers where he would stay 12 years. The nine-time All-Star then went on to play for the Houston Astros. The pitcher agreed to a two-year $50 million extension with the Astros following his recovery from an elbow injury.
Verlander has a large collection of insane vehicles. One of the most beautiful cars owned by the Astros pitcher is a Ford GT. Ford's supercar comes with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 rated at 647 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque. It is well-known that the Ford GT is a rare and expensive machine. With the money earned throughout his career, Verlander can afford to own a Ford GT.
5 Max Scherzer - Porsche Taycan Turbo
Max Scherzer is an eight-time All Star and World Series champion. It is quite normal that teams with larger budgets took interest in Scherzer. For the 2022 season, Scherzer signed a three-year $130 million contract with the New York Mets. Scherzer had a tremendous impact on his previous team, namely the Washington Nationals.
The Porsche Taycan is one of the greatest EVs money can buy. Priced at $153,300, the Taycan Turbo trumps the Tesla Model S by a long shot. First, it is a Porsche. Second, things do not fall apart at lightning speed. The Taycan Turbo boasts 671 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Although the Taycan Turbo is far from being a Toyota Camry, it still is more discreet than a Lamborghini Aventador.
4 Mookie Betts - Chevrolet Corvette C3 Restomod
Tennessee-born right fielder Mookie Betts is a six-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion. With such a rap sheet, it is quite normal that Betts is wanted by teams with larger budgets. After earning a little over $33 million during his six seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Betts agreed to a 12-year $365 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers back in 2020.
Several prominent figures in the entertainment industry developed a liking for restomodded vehicles. Betts is one of them. The right fielder was spotted going to a game driving a blue Corvette C2. It is not the only car owned by Betts, but it shows that he definitely has developed a taste for the finest things in life.
3 Ronald Acuña Jr. - BMW X6 M Competition
Ronald Acuña Jr. is an outfielder coming out of Venezuela. After making his American debut in the minor league with teams associated with the Atlanta Braves. With an original free-agent contract of $100,000, Acuña was far from being among the top earners. Things drastically changed when Acuña signed an eight-year $100 million with the Braves.
Acuña got himself a custom 2022 BMW X6 M Competition after signing his eight-year contract. With his initials all over the vehicle, Acuña made sure that people around knew who this bright yellow X6 M Competition belongs to. It is unclear whether the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 was modified or not. However, 617 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque is already plenty of power.
2 Shohei Ohtani - Tesla Model X
It is well-known that baseball is huge in Japan. As a result, Japan exported several of its outstanding players to the United States. Shohei Ohtani, designated hitter and pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, learned the ropes in Japan before agreeing to several smaller contracts with the Angels. In 2021, Ohtani agreed to a two-year $8.5 million contract with the Angels. This is far less than what Ohtani is worth.
Ohtani is a prodigy. On top of being a remarkable hitter and pitcher, Ohtani has a very peculiar taste in cars. Instead of going for the usual Ferrari or McLaren, Ohtani settled for a Tesla Model X P90D. With a power output of 532 hp and 687 lb-ft of torque, the Model X P90D is one quick electric SUV. Tesla's Model X was the first SUV to receive a perfect crash test rating.
1 Wander Franco - Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Wander Franco is a promising shortstop and third baseman from the Dominican Republic. At the tender age of 16, Franco was one of the top international prospects. In 2021, Franco signed an 11-year $182 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. Needless to say, Franco did what any 21-year-old with tons of cash would do. He purchased some sick rides.
A peek inside the Rolls-Royce Cullinan's incredible interior will let anyone know that the luxury still is the name of the game at Rolls-Royce. Franco decided to get himself a Cullinan sitting on some serious wheels. Though it is true Franco signed a juicy deal, the $348,500 SUV may not be the best car for a rookie. To add insult to injury, $650,000 worth of jewelry were stolen from Franco's Cullinan.