Baseball MVP Ryan Howard Bashes Tampa Record, Sells Palatial Estate For $16.5 Million

Former Philadelphia Phillies slugger Ryan Howard always swung for the fences. The former National League MVP and World Series champ finished his career with an impressive 382 home runs. Still, that’s nothing compared to the power he displayed with his palatial waterfront estate, which just sold for $16.5 million.

Located on Gulf Boulevard (near the Phillies’ Clearwater, Florida spring training base), the All-Star first baseman’s Belleair Shores mansion set a record for the highest residential sale in the Tampa Bay area. Jackie Diaz and Karen Hegemeier of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty’s Clearwater office held the private listing while Rafal Wazio of Coldwell Banker represented the buyer.

The massive residence spans more than 200 feet of Gulf of Mexico frontage—a “coastal oasis” highlighted by a meandering lazy river pool with waterfall, swim-up bar, bridges and a grotto that flows through the resort-like grounds. The immense Tuscan-inspired façade is imposing, designed with terracotta tile roofs, expansive terraces, Venetian-style bridges, stone stairways, courtyards and travertine driveways.

Boasting more than 19,000 square feet of interior living space, the home includes a bowling alley, panic room, secure art room, and a Napa Valley-inspired wine room. There’s also a chef’s kitchen, fitness center, sauna, game room with bar, custom home theater, library, and an eight-car garage—all likely paid for by Howard’s final $125 million contract extension in 2012, widely panned as one of the worst guaranteed contracts in baseball history. But good for him, his early success and tremendous power stats earned him market value.

Floor-to-ceiling window walls and towering three-story terraces offer sweeping water views and radiant sunsets. The house features eight bedrooms, seven bathrooms, four additional powder rooms, custom vaulted ceilings and fine marble finishes throughout. There are multiple fireplaces and kitchens, both inside and outside the open-air home.

“Boasting the utmost in style and comfort, and a luxury lifestyle, this estate represents the epitome of luxury living in Tampa Bay,” says Diaz, who admits selling a private listing is challenging, especially the most expensive listing in Tampa.

Howard was a three-time All-Star who spent 13 seasons with the Phillies. He’s second on the franchise’s all-time home run list and 13th on Major League Baseball’s all-time grand slam list with 15 (just one behind legends Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron).

From the start, Howard’s career took off like one of his upper deck bombs. He was awarded Rookie of the Year in 2005 and crowned Most Valuable Player in 2006.

In 2008, he led the Major Leagues in home runs (48) and RBI (146), carrying the Phillies to their first World Series title since 1980 (only the second in the franchise’s storied history). In 2009, his Phillies barely missed back-to-back titles, losing in the World Series to Tampa-resident Derek Jeter’s New York Yankees (which spring trains in Tampa).

Like Howard, the Tampa ties go deep. Now someone scored big time in buying Howard’s home. This residence is a home run—naturally.

This post first appeared on Forbes.com. To see the original, click here.