Former Major League Baseball player Cole Tucker has officially stepped away from the professional diamond, announcing his retirement in 2025. The shortstop and outfielder, who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies, and Los Angeles Angels over a six-year career, has embarked on a new chapter that blends sports media with family life alongside his wife, Hollywood star Vanessa Hudgens.
From Baseball Diamond to Radio Booth
Cole Tucker's transition from athlete to broadcaster has been seamless. Following his retirement, he quickly joined the team at SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio as a host. In this role, Tucker shares his insider perspectives and analysis on the game, leveraging his firsthand experience from his years in the league which began in 2020.
His move to broadcasting marks a significant shift for the 29-year-old, allowing him to stay connected to the sport he loves while exploring a new career path. His insights are valued for their depth, coming directly from a recent player who has experienced the modern game's pressures and triumphs.
A Hollywood Love Story and Growing Family
Tucker's personal life has flourished alongside his career change. He married actress and singer Vanessa Hudgens in December 2023 in a beautiful ceremony in Tulum, Mexico. The couple, who met in 2021, have since welcomed two children, prioritizing their privacy by keeping the kids' names, genders, and photos out of the public eye.
Their first child was born in the summer of 2024, and their second arrived in late 2025. Hudgens, known globally for her role as Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical franchise and films like Spring Breakers and The Princess Switch series, has been open about her journey into motherhood. Following both births, she opted for placenta encapsulation services from Mommy Made Encapsulation, a choice shared by other celebrities.
Hudgens has celebrated their family life on social media. On Father's Day 2025, she posted a heartfelt tribute to Tucker, calling him "the best daddy in the world" who makes parenting "more fun, musical and magical." She also shared her reflections on motherhood, calling it "the hardest, most exhausting but also incredibly fulfilling and joyous chapter of my life." After the birth of their second child, she posted a snapshot holding Tucker's hand, praising the incredible capability of a mother's body.
Vanessa Hudgens: A Multifaceted Career
While now often in the news as an MLB WAG (Wives and Girlfriends), Vanessa Hudgens has built a formidable career in her own right. Her journey began with local theatre and TV commercials as a child. After on-screen debuts in the early 2000s, her breakthrough came with the Disney Channel's High School Musical films (2006-2008).
Her career spans music, with two solo albums (V in 2006 and Identified in 2008), and diverse acting roles. Her filmography includes:
- Beastly (2011)
- Spring Breakers (2012)
- The Bad Boys franchise (Bad Boys for Life in 2020 and Bad Boys: Ride or Die in 2024)
- Tick, Tick…Boom! (2021)
On television, she has made guest appearances, hosted award shows like the 2017 Billboard Music Awards and the 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards, and served as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance. She also made her Broadway debut in Gigi in 2015, showcasing her versatility as a performer.
Together, Cole Tucker and Vanessa Hudgens represent a modern power couple, successfully navigating career transitions, Hollywood fame, and the demands of parenthood, all while maintaining a cherished level of privacy for their young family.
