When most players' careers end, it goes unnoticed by a majority of fans. Hardly anyone gets a final retirement tour like David Ortiz, where each city celebrates their career. Many players find themselves on the verge of retirement due to various reasons out of their control, whether it is an injury or performance-related. What they've known every single day comes to an abrupt end. The journey to finding their identity outside the game and life after baseball comes at them like an unexpected freight train rolling down the tracks.
Former Kansas City Royals' third baseman Mark Teahen had similar feelings when his time with baseball ended.
"The transition from baseball is a bit daunting," Teahen said. "I remember having a conversation with my agent about how it was great because I was young … but it was difficult because I could do anything so there wasn't a clear direction."
Teahen had a longer career than most. He played in the big leagues for seven years, making stops with the Royals, White Sox, and Blue Jays. The Oakland Athletics took Teahen in the first round (39th overall) 2002 MLB Draft. He was eventually traded to the Kansas City Royals in 2004. He was the starting third baseman and found most of his success in Kansas City, but was eventually traded to the White Sox and then the Blue Jays. After being released by the Blue Jays, Teahen hung around for a few more years with minor league deals, until the San Francisco Giants released him in 2014.
"As soon as I got released from the San Francisco Giants in spring of 2014, I knew my playing career in Major League Baseball was over." Teahen said, "2012 and 2013 had been long years of bouncing around with various minor league affiliates, so I was ready for the next phase of life."
The Next Phase of Life
Even though Teahen had a pretty good and lengthy career compared to most, transitioning to the next phase of life and a possible new career wasn't easy.
"It is difficult to find something to fully dive into after a playing career," Teahen said. "I didn't realize how most of my daily decisions centered around my playing career. From what I ate to risks I was willing to take was all influenced by my career."
Dr. Caleb Mezzy focuses on career transitions for athletes and always discusses how players are taught about accomplishing the "task at hand." Players can be so hyper-focused on their careers and what it takes to progress to the next level that it is more challenging to find the exact things they're passionate about and that sense of their whole holistic self.
Teahen felt that the grind of playing major league baseball kept him from finding that very thing.
"I don't think a player ever finds a passion for filling that void, but being retired has allowed me to focus on my family and our business fully."
Sorso Wine Room
Teahen knew his major league career was ending, but still had the drive to play and thought about giving it one more shot overseas. Little did he know it would lead to his next adventure in his life after baseball.
"Since I had prepared for the 2014 season, I looked into playing in Italy as a last hoorah," Teahen said. "My wife and I booked a week-long trip to Italy. While I was there, I was offered a contract but decided I needed time away from the game. While on that trip, we discovered our next venture, though."
Thus began the development of Sorso Wine Room. "My wife did not want me to have idle hands, and after years of chasing my baseball career all over North America, we were ready to settle and run a business together," Teahen said. "My wife had worked her whole life and missed that when we moved from city to city. A wine bar concept was something we saw on our trip to Italy."
This idea presented an opportunity for him and his wife Lauren to pursue a passion they both had together.
"We both love experiencing various food and wine, so the concept was something we were interested in," Teahen said. "We also love building an idea and creating, so creating the Sorso Wine Room was a fun experience."
Lauren and Mark opened Sorso Wine Room in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 2015. The Italian word "sorso" means "a sip". They offer 32 wines through Wine Emotion dispensers, ten by-the-glass options, and a full menu of different foods. With his playing career over, Teahen was able to take another one of his passions along with his wife to create a beautiful experience for them and others who visit their wine bar.
The Importance of Family
On top of pursuing his passion for his business, retirement also allowed Teahen to focus on his other biggest passion, his family.
"I am extremely fortunate to have a wife I love and truly enjoy spending time with," Teahen said. "This can be a real challenge to many baseball couples that transition from being apart for most of the year to being together all the time."
Teahen had the chance to start a business that involved his and his wife's passions for experiencing different foods and wines, and they got to share these experiences with their three children.
"We really enjoy traveling the world and better understanding cultures."
He has also grown to love coaching his kids the most.
"This year, I coached both of my boys in baseball (my daughter still is a bit young to coach much)," Teahen said. "Both of my sons competed for championships, and I found myself being truly proud of the way they competed.
Life after baseball has given him the free time to help his kids through the challenges of life and helping them navigate their journey to finding themselves is one that Teahen now cherishes.
"I plan to work with all of my children with whatever challenges they decide to take on, and helping put them in a position to succeed is something I truly love."
Ways to Help Players Transition in the Future
Teahen has a unique experience with transitioning out of the game. In a previous Prospects Live article, we learned there is still significant progress needed to help players transition away from the game. Each player's experience will be different; they are all individuals who have become the humans they are based on different backgrounds and experiences in life.
"Guidance is the biggest need for players transitioning out of baseball," Teahen said. Many players don't have the opportunity for a lengthy career, let alone the chance to make it to the major league. "I was fortunate because I completed most of college prior to getting drafted, and I have a lengthy career that set me up financially to figure out my next step.
"Most players don't have either of those luxuries. MLB has made steps to offer conferences and put former players in touch with various occupations," Teahen said. "The group that needs the biggest support and guidance are the guys that pursued their dream but never made the Major League. Minor league baseball does not offer much of anything to guys transitioning out of the game, and I think that is a huge disservice."
Major League Baseball has taken the right steps in the past to help provide minor leaguers with their transition outside of baseball. "Major League Baseball does offer to pay for college as long as you start courses within two years of playing in affiliated baseball," Teahen said. "The MLBPAA does offer a yearly summit to help players transition into a new career."
But as Teahen stated, guidance will be vital in helping most of these players. Having educational or informational campaigns and resources that aren't just offered as a one-off course to players could be a huge step in helping players transition to that next phase in life.
Mark Teahen's story about his transition to life after baseball is one of success. As he continues his transition, he will even aim to complete his college degree as he has three classes until he finishes. He is using his time away from the game to improve himself and focus on his family. Life after baseball has also provided joyous moments for him and even those who visit him and his wife at their wine bar.