If you are a fan of baseball, you might have heard of two players who share the same last name: Ruben Tejada and Miguel Tejada. Both of them are shortstops who have played in the major leagues for different teams. But are they related by blood or just by coincidence? In this article, we will explore the facts and the myths behind their surname and their careers.
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The Origin of the Tejada Name
According to Ancestry.com, the name Tejada is of Spanish origin and means “roof tile maker”1 It is a common surname in Spain and Latin America, especially in the Dominican Republic, where Miguel Tejada was born Ruben Tejada, on the other hand, was born in Panama, where the name is also prevalent
However, having the same surname does not necessarily imply a family connection. According to Forebears.io, there are about 113,000 people with the name Tejada in the world, and it ranks as the 3,189th most common surname Therefore, it is possible that Ruben and Miguel are not related at all, or at least not closely.
The Baseball Careers of Ruben and Miguel
Ruben Tejada made his major league debut in 2010 with the New York Mets, where he played for six seasons. He was known for his defensive skills and his ability to drive in runs. He also played for the St. Louis Cardinals, the San Francisco Giants, the Baltimore Orioles, and the Kansas City Royals. He is currently a free agent
Miguel Tejada started his career in 1997 with the Oakland Athletics, where he won the American League MVP award in 2002. He was a six-time All-Star and a two-time Silver Slugger winner. He also played for the Baltimore Orioles, the Houston Astros, the San Diego Padres, and the San Francisco Giants. He retired in 2013 after being suspended for violating MLB’s drug policy
The Verdict: Are They Related?
Based on the available information, there is no evidence that Ruben Tejada and Miguel Tejada are related by blood. They were born in different countries and have different career paths. They might share some distant ancestors who migrated from Spain to Latin America, but that is not enough to establish a kinship.
Therefore, we can conclude that Ruben Tejada and Miguel Tejada are not related, at least not in a meaningful way. They are just two baseball players who happen to have the same last name.
