Turk Wendell is a professional former baseball player. Turk Wendell pitched in relief for four Major League Baseball teams. Wendell engaged in a number of superstitious rituals and was recognized by the men’s Journal as the most superstitious athlete.
Atlanta Braves selected Wandel with the 12th choice in the 1988 amateur draft. Wendell served as the starting pitcher for the minor leagues.
Table of Contents
Family and Early Years
Turk Wendell was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on May 19, 1967.
He was the third of six children, including sisters Audrey, Tricia, Terri, and Debra, and a brother named Charles.
Charles D. Wendell is Wendell’s father, and Beatrice Wendell is his mother.
In General Electric, his father worked as a foreman. His mother was also a housewife.
When the former footballer was 3 years old, he was given the nickname Turk.
Turk was given that moniker by his grandfather because one of Wendell’s friends always did dumb things.
Education
Since he can remember, Wendell has aspired to be a baseball player.
He was a Boston Red Sox fan growing up. Carl Yastrzemski was also one of his favorite athletes.
Young Turk attended Wahconoah Regional High School, and in his final year of baseball, in 1985, he was named to the All-Western Massachusetts squad.
Wendell afterward attended Quinnipiac University for his collegiate studies.
During his collegiate years, he also played summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores in the Cape Cod League.
Wendell earned an associate’s degree in science and liberal arts from college in 1988.
Net Worth & Earnings
Turk Wendell has a $6 million net worth as of 2022. Turk made more than $14 million during his MLB career.
Wendell made $112,000 during his first season in the MLB. His pay climbed along with the length of the year.
He made $6,61,500 in his first season with the Mets after being traded to them in 1998.
Wendell signed one of the most unusual contracts in sports history later in 1999.
Wendell agreed to a three-year, $9,999,999.99 deal in order to keep his jersey number 99.
He continued to make a six-figure salary even after being traded to the Phillies in 2002.
Wendell intended to return to Colorado despite Chiba Lotter Marines in Japan offering him $9,000,000.
Later, he agreed to a $700,000 reduced minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies.
Facts of Turk Wendell
| Full Name | Steven John “Turk” Wendell |
| Birth Date | 19 May 1967 |
| Birth Place | Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA |
| Nick Name | Turk |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Unknown |
| Education | Wahconah Regional High School, Quinnipiac University |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Father’sName | Charles D. Wendell |
| Mother’sName | Beatrice Wendell |
| Siblings | Charles (brother), Audrey, Tricia, Terri, and Debra (sisters) |
| Age | 55 Years Old |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (1.88m) |
| Weight | 205 lb (92.9 kg) |
| Body Measurement | Unavailable |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Batted | Switch |
| Threw | Right |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Wife | Barbara McLoone |
| Children | Wyatt Dylan Wendell (son), Dakota Karoline Wendell (daughter) |
| Profession | Former baseball player |
| Net Worth | $6 million |
| Salary | Unknown |
| Amateur draft | 1988 (112th overall) |
| Teams | Chicago Cubs (1993-1997), New York Mets (1997-2001), Philadelphia Phillies (2001, 2003), Colorado Rockie (2004) |
| Active Since | 2012- present |
| Social Media | Unavailable |
| Jersey Number | 99 |
| Merch | Jerseys, Jackets, Photos |
| MLB First Game | 17 June 1993 |
| MLB Last Game | 13 May 2004 |
| Career Record | 36-33 |
| Playing Career | 1988-2004 |
| Merch | Autographed Baseball Card, Signed Rawlings Baseball, Cleats, Rookie Card |
| Last Update | June 2022 |
Beginning Career
Atlanta Braves selected Wandel with the 12th choice in the 1988 amateur draft. Wendell served as the starting pitcher for the minor leagues.
His debut season with Pulaski saw him finish with 3 victories and 8 defeats.
Wendell has a 3.83 ERA and 87 strikeouts over 101 innings. Only he began to draw attention throughout his minor league seasons due to his routines.
He played Durham and Midwest games back-to-back in 1989. Wendell later played for Greenville in 1990 and 1991.
His first season wasn’t all that outstanding, but he recovered and had a second season record of 11-33 with a 2.56 ERA.
Wendell was transferred to the Chicago Cubs later in 1991. After that, he spent two seasons playing in their minor league system.
Debut in Major League Baseball
Wendell played his first MLB game on June 17, 1993, against the Cardinals.
Wendell went on to have his best playing season in 1996. Wendell had a 2.84 ERA and 18 saves in 70 games.
New Adventure
The Cubs traded Wendell to the New York Mets at the conclusion of the 1997 campaign. Since joining the Mets, Wendell has started to wear number 99.
Wendell played in 9 straight games in 1998, breaking the club record. Wendell also made it to his first postseason in 1999. Wendell faced the Yankees twice in the 2000 World Series.
He led the squad in games pitched in 1999 and 2000. Wendell played in 77 games for the Mets, recording an an ERA of 3.59.
Future Career
Wendell was traded by the Mets to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2001. He rapidly became familiar with spring training with the Phillies.
In addition, Wendell’s elbow injury prevented him from playing in 2002. Later in 2003, he made a comeback and played in 56 games with a 3-3 record and 3.38 ERA.
Wendell was a free agent following the 2003 campaign. He wanted to play for free but Player Association at Colorado Rockies wouldn’t let him. Wendell had 12 appearances while recording an ERA of 7.02.
Superstition
Turk was named the most superstitious athlete by Men’s Journal.
Fans were always treated to a show within a game thanks to Wendell and his superstitious rituals. Wendell had a number of rituals he would carry out before, during, or after the game.
He was often told to quit doing these routines by his teammates and coaches.
He always leapt high over the first or third baseline when entering or exiting the field. Wendell used to turn to face the centerfielder and wave before beginning to speak.
Between innings, he’d wash his teeth and bash the rosin bag into the mound before facing batters. He also used to licorice while playing games.
Wendell enjoys hunting, particularly for deer. He used to wear a shark-tooth necklace made from the claws and teeth of various creatures he killed or went hunting for.
In his early years, Wendell wore the necklace that had the number 13 inside of it.
In the pitcher’s mound, he would similarly draw three crosses. Turk is now recognized more for his superstitious practices than for his talent, as a result.
Socks, in Wendell’s opinion, are pointless. He didn’t wear socks during his sister’s wedding either. Due to a scarcity of socks, he later changed to high-top shoes.
Objecting to the use of steroids
Wendell publicly accused Barry Bonds of using performance-enhancing drugs in 2004 after joining the Colorado Rockies through the Denver Post.
Later, in 2006, Wendell revealed to Daily Herald that Sammy Sosa, a former teammate of his with the Cubs, too used narcotics.
Charity
Throughout and after his baseball career, Wendell has always been active in charitable causes. Wendell received the Good Guy Award from the New York Press Photographers Association in 2000.
Wendell met troops stationed in Afghanistan in 2006 as part of the “Heroes of the Diamond Tour.”
He then volunteered in the Army after his return, feeling motivated by the tour. He was, however, disqualified from active combat action due to his color blindness.
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Post-Career
Wendell had always intended to return to Iowa once his kid had completed high school.
Wendell’s son graduated in 2018 and then moved back within 9 days. Wendell refers to Iowa as God’s nation.
Wendell once owned a ranch in southern Denver that covered 209 acres. He sold it and now just holds about 47 acres of the Iowa property.
For an additional $6,75,000, he bought a home and some property. He also leases 120 additional acres. Turk works in farming, hunting, and gardening.
Wendell travels up and down hills and trails in a utility terrain vehicle. He also maneuvers about his land with a John Deere Gator.
On his off days, he spends the most of his time working around farms. In his backyard gardens, he grows zucchini, corn, chestnut trees, and tomatoes.
A series of hunting targets are set up behind Wendell’s home. He also hunts and traps deer.
Likewise, antlers can be found in every room of his home. The bats of teammates, framed jerseys, and baseball cards can all be found in Wendell’s basement.
Wendell enjoys baseball games despite disliking the new extra-inning rule.
Family and Love
Turk Wendell wed Barbara McLoone on February 1st, 1997. However, they separated in 2009. Wyatt (the son) and Dakota are their two children (daughter).
Both of his children practice a number of superstitions, just like their father. Dakota plays soccer for Minnesota State and is an All-American.
During games, she always sports the same white headband and stays off the painted lines when play is stopped.
For Indian Hills Community College, Wyatt pitches. He continues some of his eccentric father’s customs.
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Body Dimensions and Playing Style
Turk Wendell stands at a height of 6 feet 2 inches (1.88m) and weighs about 205 pounds (92.9 kg).
Wendell’s BMI is 26.3, based on his height and weight data.
There are 7 different types of pitchers in baseball. For most of his career, Turk pitched as a reliever.
He was capable of throwing a changeup, slider, or two-seam fastball. Additionally, he threw a four-seam fastball, which is the strongest.
Wendell was rated as a pitcher with below-average power, average pitch movement, and above-average control overall. He also possessed a proficient pick-off move.
