Still Swinging Away
After a long baseball career , Greg Vaughn has been flexing his entrepreneurial spirit and giving back
BY Tom Couzens | PHOTO BY Wes Davis
Greg Vaughn played Major League Baseball for 15 seasons in five cities , but he knew he would always continue to make Sacramento his home — and give back to his community , both as a business owner and a philanthropist .
His business interests include the development of the Starr Vaughn Equestrian center ( named after his daughter , Genay Starr Vaughn ) in Elk Grove in 1998 , a minority ownership stake in Sacramento Republic FC , and the opening of a Restore Hyper Wellness + Cryotherapy franchise in Sacramento in 2020 . He also runs Vaughn ’ s Valley Foundation , which he launched in 2000 to help raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes and support organizations that fund breakthroughs to prevent , treat and cure the illness .
“ It was a dream of mine to be able to own something in my hometown ,” Vaughn , 55 , says of investing in Republic FC , the United Soccer League team that is scheduled to join Major League Soccer in 2023 . “ I ’ m 916 for life . I ’ m a kid from Meadowview ,” he says . “ To be successful as a businessman , to be able to own part of a major league franchise in my hometown … and people of color are able to be a part of that is big . It showed other kids from our area anything is possible .”
Vaughn , who was raised in that south Sacramento neighborhood , was a standout athlete at John F . Kennedy High School , from which he graduated in 1983 . He played baseball at Sacramento City College and the University of Miami , and signed his first professional baseball contract with the Milwaukee Brewers . After three seasons toiling in the minor leagues in Helena , Montana ; Beloit , Wisconsin ; and El Paso , Texas , he made his big-league debut with the Brewers in 1989 at age 23 . In 15 seasons playing for the Brewers , San Diego Padres , Cincinnati Reds , Tampa Bay Rays and Colorado Rockies , Vaughn hit 355 home runs . His best season was 1998 with the Padres , when he hit 50 home runs and finished fourth in voting for the National League Most Valuable Player and helped lead San Diego to the World Series . He also played in four All-Star Games .
He and his former wife , Michele Vaughn , have three children : Cory Vaughn , who is training to become a firefighter ; Genay , a competitive equestrian who operates Starr Vaughn Equestrian with her mother ; and Greg Vaughn Jr .,
who is pursuing a professional baseball career . The 72-acre equestrian center includes a 3,000-square-foot home , an indoor arena , six outdoor arenas , 80 permanent stalls and 116 portable stalls .
Vaughn ’ s Valley Foundation was launched 20 years ago after Cory was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes . “ I tried my best to go out and raise money ,” Vaughn says . “ It got so hard , I just started writing the checks myself . I have a hard time asking people for money .”
Vaughn ’ s Valley Foundation , affiliated with Players Philanthropy Fund , a Maryland-based charitable trust , has expanded to support other causes , including the Sacramento-based Center for Fathers and Families as well as ReImagine
Mack Road Foundation . Vaughn ’ s Valley Foundation has received support from a handful of Sacramento-area companies , including Buzz Oates , Mikuni , Beach Hut Deli and Adkins Family Vineyards .
Vaughn also says he mentors young athletes through baseball camps and training programs . He donated the funds needed to build Greg Vaughn Field at Bradshaw Christian School in Sacramento . “ Since donating the field , ( the school ) is getting and keeping players ,” Vaughn says . “ It ’ s not just about baseball , it ’ s about life lessons . Take baseball as far as you can to advance your education .”
“ It was a dream of mine to be able to own something in my hometown … to be able to own part of a major league franchise in my hometown . … It showed other kids from our area anything is possible .”
Vaughn ’ s latest business venture is a local branch of the Austin , Texas-based wellness chain Restore Hyper Wellness + Cryotherapy . He opened his first store in September 2020 with plans to launch additional locations in Chico and Las Vegas . He ’ s also developed an interest in wine and is pursuing opportunities in that industry .
“ I like to venture into a lot of different things ,” Vaughn says . “ I like to keep my mind working competitively . Baseball paved the way for what I have been able to do .”
Tom Couzens is executive editor of Comstock ’ s . On Twitter @ tomcouzens .
February 2021 | comstocksmag . com 53