Jose Canseco is a former professional baseball player who was one of the most feared sluggers in the game. He played for several teams, including the Oakland Athletics, the Texas Rangers, the Boston Red Sox, and the New York Yankees. He was the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season, earning him the American League MVP award in 1988. He also won two World Series championships, six All-Star selections, and four Silver Slugger awards.
However, despite his impressive achievements on the field, Canseco’s off-field troubles have overshadowed his legacy. He admitted to using steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career, and exposed many of his former teammates and opponents in his controversial book, Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big. He also faced legal issues, such as domestic violence charges, tax evasion, bankruptcy, and foreclosure.
How Much Did Jose Canseco Earn in His Baseball Career?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jose Canseco earned more than $45 million in salary during his 17-year baseball career. His peak salary was $5.8 million, which he received from the Boston Red Sox in 1995. In 1990, he signed a five-year $23.5 million contract with the Oakland Athletics, which made him the highest-paid player in the league at that time.
However, Canseco did not manage his money wisely. He spent lavishly on cars, houses, jewelry, and other luxury items. He also had to pay a hefty amount of taxes on his income, as well as alimony and child support to his two ex-wives. According to Sportsnet, his first divorce cost him $6 million and two six-figure sports cars.
How Did Jose Canseco Lose His Net Worth?
After retiring from baseball in 2001, Canseco tried to find other sources of income. He wrote two books about his steroid use and the doping culture in baseball, which sold well but also damaged his reputation and credibility. He also appeared on various reality TV shows, such as The Surreal Life, Celebrity Apprentice, and Celebrity Boxing. He even tried his hand at mixed martial arts, but lost his only fight in 77 seconds.
However, none of these ventures were enough to sustain his lifestyle or pay off his debts. In 2005, he declared bankruptcy, claiming that he had less than $21,000 in assets and more than $1.6 million in liabilities. In 2008, he lost his 7,300-square-foot mansion in Encino, California to foreclosure after failing to make mortgage payments for several months. In 2012, he was accused of owing more than $500,000 in back taxes by the Internal Revenue Service.
As of 2021, Jose Canseco’s net worth is estimated to be only $500,000 according to Celebrity Net Worth. He still makes occasional appearances on social media and podcasts, where he often makes outrageous claims or challenges other celebrities to fights. He also participates in pay-per-view events organized by Barstool Sports, such as a celebrity boxing match against Billy Football in February 2021. He reportedly earned $1 million for that fight but lost by knockout in less than a minute.
Conclusion
Jose Canseco is a classic example of how fame and fortune can be fleeting if not handled properly. He was once one of the most dominant and popular players in baseball but squandered his wealth and reputation due to poor decisions and bad habits. He is now struggling to make ends meet and stay relevant in a world that has largely moved on from him.