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Todd Zeile

Todd Zeile is an former , , and who played 16 seasons in (MLB) from 1989 to 2004, suiting up for a record 11 different teams and becoming the first player in history to hit a for each of them. Born Todd Edward Zeile on September 9, 1965, in , , he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the second round (55th overall) of the 1986 MLB June Amateur Draft out of the (UCLA), where he helped the Bruins win the 1986 Pacific-10 Conference Southern Division championship. Zeile's MLB career began with the Cardinals on August 18, 1989, after strong performances, including a co-MVP honor in the 1987 with 25 home runs and 106 RBIs for the Class A . Over his first seven seasons in (1989–1995), he established himself as a solid , posting a .280 with 11 home runs in 1991 and a career-high 103 RBIs in 1993 while transitioning from to third base. Traded to the Cubs late in 1995, he batted .227 in 79 games before moving to the Phillies early in 1996, where he hit 20 home runs and drove in 80 runs; midseason, he was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles, for whom he added 5 home runs and 19 RBIs for season totals of 25 home runs and 99 RBIs, contributing a .364 average with three home runs in the . Zeile continued his journeyman career with stints at the (1997–1998, including 31 home runs in 1997), Florida Marlins (1998), (1998–1999, with 24 home runs and 98 RBIs in 1999), (2000–2001 and 2004, reaching the ), Colorado Rockies (2002, 18 home runs and 87 RBIs), New York Yankees (2003), and (2003), amassing career totals of a .265 , 253 home runs, 1,110 RBIs, and 2,004 hits across 2,158 games. Notable for his durability and versatility, he finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting in 1990 and played in four postseason series, all against the Yankees. After retiring, Zeile transitioned into , serving as a color analyst for the Mets on (SNY) and , continuing in that role as of 2025, while also venturing into entertainment as a through his company Green Diamond Entertainment, notably executive producing the television series (2012–2014). In 2023, he was inducted into the New York State Hall of Fame for his contributions during two stints with the Mets.

Early life and education

Family background

Todd Zeile was born on September 9, 1965, in , , to parents who fostered a nurturing environment amid the region's vibrant athletic culture. His mother, Sammee (Spooner) Zeile, worked as an editor at a local newspaper, providing a stable household that emphasized education and personal achievement alongside physical pursuits. The family resided in , where the sunny climate and proximity to major league ballparks like encouraged outdoor activities and sports involvement from an early age. Zeile's birth coincided with a landmark moment in history, occurring on the same evening that pitched a for the against the Chicago Cubs at , just 17 miles from . As the youngest of two sons, Zeile looked up to his older brother, Michael "Mike" Zeile, who was born 14 months earlier and emerged as a standout , sparking Todd's passion for the sport and motivating him to follow a similar path through competitive play.

Amateur baseball career

Zeile attended William S. Hart High School in Santa Clarita, California, where he distinguished himself as a standout baseball player primarily at catcher. During his senior year in 1983, he batted .520 and earned first-team All-CIF Southern Section honors as one of the top prospects in the region. That summer, the Kansas City Royals selected Zeile in the 30th round of the 1983 MLB June Amateur Draft out of high school, but he declined to sign and opted to pursue higher education. Zeile continued his development at the (UCLA), playing for the Bruins from 1984 to 1986 on a scholarship. Over his three college seasons, he posted a .331 with 26 home runs and 94 runs batted in, contributing significantly to the team's efforts, including a Pacific-10 Southern Division title in 1986. That year, Zeile received All-Pac-10 recognition for his performance at third base and , highlighting his versatility and power at the plate. After his junior season, Zeile's college success led to his selection by the St. Louis Cardinals in the second round (55th overall) of the 1986 MLB June Amateur Draft, marking the end of his amateur career.

MLB playing career

St. Louis Cardinals years

Todd Zeile made his major league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on August 18, 1989, during a doubleheader at Cincinnati's , where he pinch-hit for pitcher in the eighth inning of the nightcap. After being selected by the Cardinals in the second round of the 1986 MLB Draft out of UCLA, Zeile had progressed steadily through the , reaching Triple-A Louisville by 1988 and earning the Cardinals' Player of the Year honors in 1989. He recorded his first major league hit and two days later on August 20 against the , finishing the season with a .256 average in 28 games primarily as a . In 1990, Zeile transitioned from catcher to third base under manager Joe Torre, who sought to preserve his strong throwing arm while addressing defensive needs at the position; the move began late in the season but became more prominent as catcher Tom Pagnozzi assumed primary duties behind the plate. Playing 105 games at catcher, 24 at third base, and 11 at first base that year, Zeile batted .244 with 15 home runs—leading the Cardinals—and 57 RBIs, though he committed early errors at the hot corner indicative of his adjustment challenges. The shift proved transitional; by 1991, Zeile was the full-time third baseman, posting a .280 average with 11 home runs, but he led National League third basemen with 25 errors, highlighting ongoing defensive growing pains despite his improving range and arm strength. Zeile's offensive consistency solidified during his Cardinals tenure, as he batted over .270 in three of the next four seasons, including a .277 mark in 1993 with 17 home runs and a career-high 103 RBIs—the first 100-RBI year by a Cardinals since in 1971. In 1994, shortened by the players' strike, he hit 19 home runs in 111 games, tying his career high at the time. Defensively, Zeile developed into a reliable , reducing errors to 16 by 1993. His 1995 season started strongly with a .294 average through 68 games, but amid the Cardinals' struggles and a contract dispute—where Zeile filed for $4.2 million in after the team offered $3.2 million—he was traded to the Chicago Cubs on June 16 for pitcher Mike Morgan and prospects Francisco Morales and Paul Torres. The deal, executed the day after the arbitration hearing and amid reported team chemistry issues under new ownership, marked the end of Zeile's six-year stint in , where he had established himself as a versatile and .

Mid-career transitions

Zeile's mid-career phase from 1995 to 2000 was defined by a series of trades and free-agent signings that saw him suit up for eight different teams, underscoring his value as a versatile capable of playing third base and first base effectively. On June 16, 1995, he was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for pitcher Mike Morgan, infielder Paul Torres, and pitcher Francisco Morales, marking the end of his initial tenure with the Cardinals after a promising start to his career there. He appeared in 79 games for the Cubs that season, finishing the year with a combined .246 , 14 home runs, and 52 RBIs across both clubs. Becoming a after the 1995 season, Zeile signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on December 22, 1995, where he delivered a strong performance in 134 games during the first part of 1996, helping power the team's offense before being traded to the Baltimore Orioles on August 29, 1996, along with outfielder for pitchers Calvin Maduro and Garrett Stephenson. Overall in 1996, he batted .263 with 25 home runs and a career-high 99 RBIs while splitting time between the two teams, and he contributed in the postseason for the Orioles, who won the East, by hitting .364 with three home runs in the ALCS against the New York Yankees. Granted free agency again after the season, Zeile inked a three-year, $10 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 8, 1996, and enjoyed a standout 1997 campaign, batting .268 with 31 home runs—his personal best—and 90 RBIs in 160 games. The 1998 season exemplified Zeile's nomadic status when, on May 14, he was packaged with catcher in a blockbuster trade from the Dodgers to the Marlins for a group of veterans including , , Charles Johnson, and , plus prospect Manuel Barrios. He played 66 games for the Marlins, batting .271 overall that year with 19 home runs and 94 RBIs, before another deadline deal on July 31 sent him to the in exchange for minor leaguers Daniel DeYoung and Jose Santos. Staying with Texas for 1999, Zeile posted his highest batting average of the period at .293, along with 24 home runs and 98 RBIs in 156 games, as the Rangers reached the playoffs before falling in the ALDS to the Yankees. As a once more, he signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the on December 11, 1999, shifting primarily to first base and batting .268 with 22 home runs and 79 RBIs in 2000, aiding the Mets' run to the and . Across this turbulent stretch, Zeile appeared in 903 games, maintained a steady .268 , slugged 135 home runs, and drove in 512 runs, showcasing consistent production amid instability that contrasted with his more settled early years in . His frequent moves—five trades and multiple free-agent deals—contributed to a reputation as one of baseball's ultimate journeymen, earning him the moniker " of baseball" from Yankees manager for bouncing between franchises with adaptability and resilience.

Later teams and retirement

Zeile continued with the into 2001 under his existing contract. Playing primarily at first base and third base, he appeared in 151 games, batting .266 with 10 home runs and 62 , though an early-season elbow injury limited his power output compared to his 2000 performance when he helped the Mets reach the as runners-up. Injuries continued to affect his mobility, but he provided steady defense and veteran leadership during a season in which the Mets finished third in the NL East with an 82-80 record. In December 2001, Zeile was traded to the Colorado Rockies in a multi-player deal involving the Mets, Rockies, and Padres, reuniting him with his original position at third base. He enjoyed a resurgent 2002 campaign at , hitting .273 with 18 home runs and 87 over 144 games, showcasing consistent power against the thin air while committing fewer errors in the field. The following offseason, he signed a one-year deal with the Yankees, where he platooned across infield positions in the first half of 2003, batting .210 in 75 games before requesting his release in late August amid reduced playing time. Shortly after, on September 4, he joined the , playing 25 games and reaching milestones including his 2,000th career hit and 100th game as a . Zeile signed a minor-league deal with the Mets in January 2004, earning a spot on the major-league roster as a and pinch-hitter. In 137 games, he batted .233 with 9 home runs and 35 , crossing 250 career home runs and providing clutch hits in a reserve role during a rebuilding year for the Mets. Over his final four seasons, mounting injuries and the demands of switching teams—part of a mid-career pattern of frequent moves—contributed to his declining production, though he remained a reliable . Zeile announced his retirement before the 2004 , committing to end his 16-year MLB career after the season to prioritize family life, particularly the care of his six-year-old daughter Hannah, who has requiring daily monitoring and insulin injections. The physical toll of playing across multiple positions and 11 teams over 2,158 games also factored into his decision, as he reflected on the emotional strain of being away from home during treatments. He concluded his career on October 3, 2004, with a three-run in his final at-bat against the Expos in their last as a franchise, finishing with 2,004 hits, 253 , 1,110 , and a .265 —while holding the MLB record for most errors by a with 204.

Post-playing career

Broadcasting roles

After retiring from , Todd Zeile transitioned into sports , leveraging his extensive playing experience across 11 teams to provide analysis for the . He joined (SNY) in 2017 as a contributing , appearing on shows such as Baseball Night in New York and Mets Hot Stove. In this role, Zeile offered perspectives on game strategies and team dynamics, drawing from his versatile career that included stints at multiple positions. In 2019, Zeile was promoted to lead studio analyst for , succeeding in the primary role. He now co-hosts the network's exclusive Mets pregame and postgame live shows alongside Gary Apple, delivering color commentary and breakdowns of player performances. Zeile's insights, informed by his time with organizations like the St. Louis Cardinals, , and Mets, have been noted for their depth on topics such as player trades and positional versatility. Beyond , Zeile has made occasional guest appearances on , including segments on MLB Central where he discusses Mets-related topics and broader league issues. As of 2025, he continues to balance his broadcasting duties with other business ventures, such as investments in athlete-focused services and sports technology.

Film and acting work

Following his retirement from Major League Baseball in 2004, Todd Zeile founded Green Diamond Entertainment, a and television based in , in partnership with Bill Civitella. The company attracted investments from several of Zeile's former MLB teammates, including , who served as an on early projects. Zeile's interest in the entertainment industry stemmed from his upbringing and connections made during his playing career, leading him to pursue production as a post-baseball venture. Green Diamond's debut project was the 2005 teen comedy Dirty Deeds, which Zeile produced and in which he appeared in a small role as a mullet-wearing homeless man named Mullet. The , budgeted under $5 million and starring and , focused on a high competition and received . Subsequent productions included the 2010 faith-based drama , which Zeile both produced and acted in as Trevor Evans; the explored the intersecting lives of 10 individuals and was screened in over 2,500 churches worldwide, drawing comparisons to the ensemble structure of . He also executive produced the 2011 family comedy Zookeeper, appearing on-screen as . Zeile's most notable television producing credit came as co-executive producer on the FX sitcom Anger Management (2012–2014), starring his longtime friend , for which he contributed to all 100 episodes after the pilot drew 5.74 million viewers—the highest-rated cable sitcom premiere at the time. Their collaboration extended beyond the set, including a 2013 trip to where Zeile joined Sheen in an unsuccessful search for the , renting a castle on the loch's shore. In acting, Zeile made an uncredited cameo as himself on in the 1997 " Dreams " sketch, alongside 14 other MLB players. He later guest-starred as Bobby on an episode of in 2005 and portrayed a TV newscaster on the 2020 HBO miniseries , and appeared as himself in the 2025 SNY documentary The Wright Way. After initial forays into on-screen roles, Zeile shifted his primary focus to producing, citing the financial and creative stability it offered compared to acting opportunities for a former athlete. Anger Management marked his biggest success in the industry, providing credibility and paving the way for ongoing development of new film and TV projects with collaborators like Sheen.

Personal life

Marriages and children

Todd Zeile married Olympic gymnast on January 21, 1989. The couple had four children together: sons Garrett (born November 27, 1993), Ian (born May 2002), and Aaron (born January 19, 2004), and daughter Hannah (born November 7, 1997). Their daughter Hannah has pursued acting, notably portraying teenage Kate Pearson in the series . Son Garrett has followed a path in music, performing as part of a rock band that toured with in 2011. Zeile and McNamara divorced in January 2015 after 26 years of marriage. Zeile's MLB career, marked by frequent trades across 11 teams, often necessitated family relocations that disrupted stability, such as moves following his 1998 transfer from the Dodgers to the Marlins. Post-retirement in 2004, Zeile prioritized family life by settling in the area, including Westlake Village, to provide a consistent home environment. He has noted that all four children gravitated toward rather than athletics, though they remain active in sports recreationally. On June 27, 2020, Zeile married Kristin Gamboa, daughter of former MLB coach and minor league manager . The couple, who had seven children between them (aged 17 to 28 as of 2020), reside in the area.

Ancestry and interests

Todd Zeile is a direct descendant of U.S. Presidents , the second president, and , the sixth president, thereby linking him to prominent figures in American revolutionary history and early national leadership. His nephew, Shane Zeile, followed in the family tradition by pursuing , playing as a in the for the Tigers organization after being drafted in the fifth round in 2014 out of UCLA. Beyond his baseball career, Zeile has pursued interests in investments and , including partnerships in services and development projects based in , where he maintains active community involvement. Zeile supports various charitable pursuits, notably youth baseball programs through alumni events with the Amazin' Mets Foundation, as well as initiatives in arts education via foundation grantees like the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning; these efforts are influenced by his broader family interests. He has also occasionally contributed writing and analysis on baseball topics, including player trades and team strategies.

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