During Florida’s Grapefruit League schedule, without question, the highest level of spring training activity centers around George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. Located directly across the street from Raymond James Stadium (home of the Buccaneers) and just down the street from the Bucs practice facility and Tampa Bay International Airport, the 31-acre New York Yankees spring training venue packs in crowds of more than 11,000 snowbirds, vacationers and full-time area residents, throughout the months of February and March.
When combining Florida’s warm winters, with a lack of state income tax, many current and former Major League players choose to make their winter/primary residences in the Sunshine State.
As a result of the Yankees’ and Steinbrenner family’s presence in the Tampa Bay area, many of these current and former wearers of pinstripes elect to reside in close proximity to the team training complex, situated off Tampa’s well traveled Dale Mabry Highway.
The most well known example of Yankee real estate is Derek Jeter’s new 31,000-square-foot palace. The Davis Islands location of the mega mansion sits six miles southeast of the Yankee complex, just off downtown Tampa.
Former Yankee first baseman/Tampa native Tino Martinez also calls Davis Islands home. Here is an aerial photo of his palatial bay front residence.
11 miles north of Steinbrenner Field sits the luxurious Avila Golf & Country Club. The gated community is home to many active and retired athletes, including some Yankees.
This aerial photo showcases newly retired Jorge Posada’s spectacular home along the golf course.
Here are interior and exterior shots of outfielder Nick Swisher’s 7,124-square-foot abode.
In addition, Mariano Rivera, the greatest closer of all-time, owns a 9,200-square-foot property within the Avila community.
Other big name inhabitants of Avila include longtime Yankee player/multiple team manager Lou Piniella, Super Bowl winning coaches/NFL analysts Jon Gruden and Tony Dungy, as well as current Bucs tight end Kellen Winslow Jr.
Prior to his move to Davis Islands, Jeter called the Avila Country Club area home for several years. Here is an aerial look at The Captain’s former Florida pad.
In fact, the only member of the “Core Four” that has not spent some time living in the Avila development is Andy Pettitte. The Louisiana native, who just signed a one-year contract with New York, makes his home in the Houston suburb of Deer Park.
Prior to his passing in 2010, George Steinbrenner himself lived in a 7 bedroom, 9.5 bathroom home in the South Tampa neighborhood of Golf View Estates, located in close proximity to the Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club.
The Boss expressed his feelings about his adopted home of Tampa, in an interview with the Tampa Tribune from a few years ago.
"We love Tampa, I don't think we would ever give any thought to moving away. Tampa is my home,'' explained Steinbrenner.
Is it any wonder that the New York Yankees have contributed such a large foot print to the Tampa area?
The allure of Tampa was clearly passed down from the man at the very top of the food chain.
