Bucky Dent is a former Major League Baseball player who is mostly recognized for his earning two World Series rings as the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees in 1977 and 1978. The father of four was married to Marianne Seywent until her unfortunate death in 2015. At the moment, Dent is currently married to Angie Wildstein and has a net worth of at least $5 million.
Though long retired, Bucky still maintains his place in the history of the Yankees. He shares reflections on his career and journey to stardom through the Deep to Left with Bucky Dent podcast.
Brief Biography of Bucky Dent
The former baseball player was born in Savannah, Georgia on November 25, 1951, but was raised in Sylvania, Georgia, and Hialeah, Florida. Bucky alongside his half-brother, Jim Beasley lived with his uncle James Earl Dent and his Wife Sarah after his parents Denise O’Dey and Russell “Shorty” Standford parted ways.
As such, his surname was changed to Dent even though his real mother wasn’t up for legal adoption. Bucky got to visit his real mother from time to time but was told that she was his aunt. Nonetheless, she later disclosed her real identity to him when he was 10 years old.
In an interview, Bucky revealed that he was shocked and couldn’t react to the news. He stated that he had mixed feelings but continued calling the Dents his parents since they brought him up and deserved the titles. Thereafter, he made inquiries about his dad Russell and went in search of him.
Bucky proceeded to the Miami Dade Community after his graduation from Hialeah High School.
Bucky Dent was Married to Marianne Dent Until her Death in 2015
As you would easily find, Bucky and Marianne were a couple until death snatched her from him. It’s on record that the pair met on a flight in 1981. At the time, Marianne was a flight attendant while Bucky was a passenger.
They soon got talking and Bucky managed to get her mobile number after long hesitation from her end. The pair developed a great relationship that would later lead to their marriage on November 1, 1985.
Bucky and Marianne enjoyed 3 decades of marital bliss which saw the birth of their twin children, Cody and Caitlin. Unfortunately, their marriage came to an end in 2015 after Marianne’s death.
According to the story, she was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer in 2014 after experiencing severe headaches and dizziness which she thought were caused by stress. The mother of two immediately began chemotherapy and radiation treatments but sadly lost to the dreadful disease after 19 months precisely on October 22, 2015.
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Dent’s Children are also Sports Enthusiast
As earlier stated, the former baseball player is a father of four. Asides from his twins Cody Joseph and Caitlin Ann, he also fathered Scott Russell and Stacy Lynn.
While Bucky’s marriage to Marianne is the most prominent, it worth noting that the player was previously married to Karen Stormie Neale who doubles as the mother of his eldest children; Scott and Stacy.
Although Bucky’s eldest children are mostly private, we garnered that his youngest children have taken up careers in sports just like their father. His son Cody played baseball at Florida Gators Baseball while his daughter Caitlin played softball at North Carolina State from 2010 to 2013. She also served as an assistant coach for the Hofstra softball team during the 2015 season.
Bucky Dent remarried his long-time business partner; Angie Wildstein in November 2019 and has remained so since then.
Here are Other Facts About the Former MLB Player
1. Bucky Dent Continued Marianne’s Cancer Legacy After Her Death
Even though Marianne lost to cancer, her legacy has been furthered by her husband, Bucky Dent. While fighting the disease, she came to understand that most of the patients were mostly cold during the chemotherapy treatment.
As such, she purchased blankets for those receiving treatment at that time and later got inspired to start manufacturing for that cause. She raised money through an already established platform called “Legend on the Links not-for-profit”. A few months later, she teamed up with a manufacturer who designed the logo “Embraced with Love” and also bags for the blankets.
After her sad passing, her husband continued her legacy by raising money for the cause and personally distributing it to cancer patients in Florida. Other cancer facilities outside Florida have also received these bundles of love.
2. Bucky Dent’s Career Spanned 14 Years
Bucky started playing baseball while in high school and at the age of 21, he was already playing shortstop for the Chicago White Sox with the number 30.
On April 5, 1977, he was traded to the Yankees and he signed a contract worth $600,000. He helped them win the World Series that year, and the following year, he made a more remarkable hit against the Boston Red Sox that gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead in the AL East division tie-breaker game
Bucky became highly sought after by many teams and settled for the Texas Rangers in August 1982 after playing five full seasons with the Yankees. With the American League, Bucky had a 247 batting average and 423 RBI. He became the first American League shortstop to lead every fielder at his position in fielding percentage three times with three different teams. He was also the first shortstop to ever receive the World Series Most Valuable Player Award honor.
Following his retirement in 1984, he serve as the manager of the big league club in 1989 and 1990. Thereafter, he started coaching the St. Louis Cardinals from 1991 to 1994 before he moved to the coaching staff of the Texas Rangers from 1995 to 2001.
In 2005, Dent became the bench coach for the Cincinnati Reds. ESPN now hosts a company softball game named after Bucky Dent in Central Park, New York City that is held every year.
3. The Former MLB Player Has Few Acting Credits
Away from sports, Bucky also qualifies as a good actor. He has made appearances in productions like Walt Before Mickey (2015), Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (1979), and the 1980 American League Championship Series.
Though his roles in some of these productions were minor, the father of four was well-received by his fans.
4. Bucky Dent Stands 5 feet 11 inches
The former MLB player is unarguably a tall man and would be considered tall in any part of the world. Even though players like Jose Altuve (5 feet 6 inches) have proven that height isn’t significantly important in baseball, the average height of current MLB players still remains 6 feet 2 inches.
Bucky stands 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs about 181kg.
5. He is Estimated at $5 Million
Bucky is no longer active as a baseball player however, his career which spanned many decades saw him record great success. He earned between $15,000-$155,000 which may have long multiplied into millions.
Following a sneak peep into his lifestyle, Richathletes estimates him at $5 million. While this remains a guestimated figure, it’s worth noting that the player now hosts the Deep to Left with Bucky Dent podcast and runs a sports school which makes part of his wealth.
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