Grand Slam Rides: When MLB Superstars Hit the Road
For baseball's biggest stars, success on the diamond often translates to an impressive collection of wheels off it. The garages of Major League Baseball's elite are filled with some of the world's most luxurious, powerful, and personalized vehicles. From sleek electric supercars to customised SUVs and even cars caught in high-profile crimes, the automotive choices of these athletes tell a story of style, speed, and sometimes, startling headlines.
Shohei Ohtani's Electrifying Tesla Model X
Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani made a statement with his first luxurious car: a 2018 Tesla Model X P100D. Purchased in 2021, this electric SUV is far from ordinary. It boasts a dual AC induction motor setup powered by a 100-kWh battery, generating a staggering 680 horsepower. This allows it to rocket from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 2.9 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph.
Ohtani's Tesla features a sleek satin black vinyl wrap over its original paint. It rides on 22-inch Onyx Black wheels and is famous for its signature falcon-wing doors. Inside, a premium six-seat interior with black-and-white accents awaits, along with a massive 17-inch capacitive touchscreen. The car even caught the attention of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who commented with emojis when it was posted online by Hiro Mizuno in 2021.
Aaron Judge's Stealthy Audi A7 Sportback
New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge has shown a consistent fondness for the Audi A7 Sportback. He first posted images of a matte gray model on Instagram back in 2015, even before his MLB debut. By 2018, fans photographed him driving a black A7 Sportback into a parking structure next to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. He was spotted again in the same car in Tampa, Florida, in 2020.
Judge's Audi is powered by a 3.0L V6 turbocharged engine producing 335 horsepower. Valued at approximately $69,200, the A7 represents a blend of understated luxury and performance, fitting for the Yankees' powerhouse.
Mookie Betts' Classic Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
When Mookie Betts played for the Boston Red Sox, he made a memorable arrival at Fenway Park in a shiny blue retro Chevrolet Corvette. Now with the Dodgers, Betts' Corvette Stingray is a masterpiece of American engineering. It features an aggressive, aerodynamic silhouette with sculpted lines and a low stance, highlighted by V-shaped LED headlights and quad exhaust pipes.
Under the hood, it offers two formidable engine options: a 6.2L V8 with 495 horsepower or a supercharged 6.2L LT2 V8 pushing 670 horsepower. With a starting price around $80,000, the Stingray can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 194 mph.
Ronald Acuna Jr.'s Personalised BMW X6 M Competition
Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. chose a BMW X6 M Competition as his first new car. This high-performance SUV, costing between $120,000 to $175,000, is a beast. Its 4.4L V8 twin-turbocharged engine delivers 616 horsepower, enabling a 0-62 mph sprint in 3.8 seconds.
Acuna Jr. made it uniquely his own with a bright yellow paint job and custom exterior branding featuring his name and a personal logo. His business partner, Nick Drbal, told TMZ they wanted the car to be identifiable, so his city would know who was inside based on the exterior.
The $650,000 Heist from Wander Franco's Rolls-Royce
The most dramatic car story involves Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco and his Rolls-Royce Cullinan. In July 2022, the SUV was at the centre of a lavish heist valued at over $650,000. The theft occurred around 3 AM in a Jacksonville hotel parking garage.
According to arrest reports, the stolen items from his car included:
- A $300,000 gold and diamond Cuban link chain.
- A $200,000 rose gold Cuban link chain.
- A $70,000 custom gold and diamond medallion.
- A $44,000 Rolex watch.
- Two championship rings worth $20,000 each.
Security footage showed a suspect using a large wrench on the car. While some items, like the safe containing the rings, were recovered, the high-value chains and Rolex remained missing as of the 2022 reports.
Conclusion: Speed, Style, and High-Stakes Drama
These stories reveal more than just expensive purchases; they showcase personal taste, from Ohtani's tech-forward Tesla to Acuna Jr.'s boldly personalised BMW. They reflect moments in the players' careers, like Judge's pre-debut Audi, and sometimes intersect with unexpected crime, as with Franco's Rolls-Royce. For these MLB icons, their cars are extensions of their champion personas—powerful, distinctive, and occasionally, the centre of a jaw-dropping story.
