Born Kristin James Benson on the 7th November 1974 in Superior, Wisconsin USA, Kris is a retired Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks, before retiring from baseball.
Have you ever wondered how rich Kris Benson is, as of late 2017? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Benson’s wealth is as high as $14 million, an amount earned largely through his successful career as a baseball pitcher, which was active from 1999 until 2009.
Kris Benson Net Worth $14 Million
Kris has three younger siblings, who are all named with the initial K, since his parents are baseball fans, and gave their children names with the letter that marks a strikeout. He spent his first six years in Wisconsin and then moved with his family to Georgia, where he went to Sprayberry High School in Marietta. Future MLB All-Star Marlon Byrd was also in his class.
After high school, Kris enrolled at Clemson University, and in his junior season proved to be a valuable asset, since he was undefeated with a 14-0 record with 1.40 ERA, while also posting 178 strikeouts in 142 innings. He continued to play baseball for the University with great success and in 1996 received the Dick Howser Trophy, given to the national college baseball player of the year.
After a successful career in college, Kris declared for the 1996 MLB Draft and was chosen as the first pick overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Before being sent to the minor leagues, Kris played for the USA national baseball team at the Olympics in Atlanta 1996, helping his team win the bronze medal, defeating Nicaragua in the match for the third place.
He spent two seasons in the minor leagues, firstly playing for the Lynchburg Hillcats and Carolina Mudcats in 1997, and then the Nashville Sounds in 1998. He made his MLB debut in 1999 and in his rookie season was voted as the fourth best rookie in the NL. The following year he posted his career high in ERA, innings pitched, strikeouts, and games pitched. Unfortunately, since then Kris’s health and form began to decline. He missed 2001 season due to Tommy John surgery on his elbow, and returned in 2002 but was in nowhere near his form before the surgery.
In 2004 he was traded to the New York Mets where he stayed until 2006, and was then traded to the Baltimore Orioles. He played well for the Orioles and even hit his first home run off All-Star and Cy Young Award-winner Pedro Martínez, however, this didn’t last long, as Kris missed another whole season, this time due to a torn rotator cuff, and was released by the Orioles.
During 2008 he had a minor-league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and played for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, and before joining the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010, he played for the Texas Rangers Triple- A affiliate Oklahoma City Red Hawks.
His career came to its unfortunate end on the 10th January 2011; he announced his retirement after suffering another injury while playing for the Diamondbacks Triple-A affiliate the Reno Aces.
Regarding his personal life, Benson was married to Anna Benson, a model, and TV reality star, from 1999 until 2012; the couple has three children together. He is now engaged to Brittany Page, who is a daughter of professional wrestler Diamond Dallas Page.
Kris is well-known for his philanthropic endeavors; since the start of his professional career he has consistently donated to various charities, and was one of the biggest helpers during the 9/11 attacks, through his Benson’s Battalion non-profit organization. Thanks to his efforts, Kris was presented with Roberto Clemente Award, Joan Payson Award, Thurman Munson Award, and the New Jersey Sports Writers Humanitarian of the Year Award, among other honors.
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