'Hilarious cosplay': Mockery abounds over ex-MLB slugger's big Congressional announcement

The internet erupted on Thursday after a former Major League Baseball slugger announced he is running for a congressional seat in Texas.

Mark Teixeira, who played 14 seasons in the Major Leagues, announced that he is running as a Republican in Texas' 21st Congressional District, a seat being vacated by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) as he runs for the Texas Attorney General's office. Teixeira said in a statement that he is ready to "help defend President Donald Trump's America First agenda" and work to protect Texas families and individual rights.

"As a proud Texan and lifelong conservative who loves our country, I'm ready to fight for the principles that make Texas strong and America exceptional," Teixeira said in a statement.

Baseball analysts responded to the news on social media.

"Baltimore native and New York Yankee star Mark Teixeira is gonna do some hilarious cosplay," FanGraphs writer Michael Baumann wrote on Bluesky.

Commentators responded to the news on social media.

"Coming out swinging as full-on fash," Josh Sternberg, executive editor at Morning Brew, posted on Bluesky. "Cool, cool, cool."

"Mark Teixeira: Garbage person," Stacey Gotsulias, host of the Locked On Yankees podcast, posted on Bluesky.

"Aside from him losing, the only thing [you] want from this 'Mark Teixeira runs for Congress' situation is an unfiltered 10-minute recording of CC Sabathia’s thoughts on the matter," Andrew Mearns, managing editor of Pinstripe Alley, posted on Bluesky.

"Should be a perfect candidate for Republican voters craving even more mediocrity masquerading as greatness," Joey Blue posted on Bluesky.

"Didn’t have Mark Teixeira figured for a fascist bootlicker but here we f------ are," Jay Jaffe, a senior writer at FanGraphs, posted on Bluesky.