Baseball players' favorite steakhouses

 

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Steakhouses have long been associated with professional athletes, and sure enough, our panel of star baseball players -- Matt Kemp, CC Sabathia, Justin Verlander and Shane Victorino -- had a recommendation on hand when USA TODAY asked them to name their favorite steakhouse in the nation.

In fact, Verlander and Kemp chose the same one, Mastro's, with branches in Los Angeles (where Kemp's Dodgers play), Scottsdale, Ariz., and other U.S. cities. Verlander calls out Mastro's for its "large wine selection" and says he would "highly recommend the butter cake for dessert."

Yankees pitcher Sabathia's top pick is The Precinct in Cincinnati, while Victorino offers a hometown pick, Philadelphia's Capital Grille (which also has locations in many major league cities). "Be sure to order the Kona Crusted Delmonico!" says the Phillies outfielder.

We also asked each player which restaurant in their home city they'd choose if they were entertaining family and friends.

Sabathia, who calls one of the USA's great dining cities home, recommends Lavo, an Italian restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, for its "great food and great atmosphere."

Detroit visitors should consider Ocean Prime in nearby Troy, Mich., says Tigers pitcher Verlander. He loves the friendly personal service (we're guessing ballplayers get a lot of that), and says you should order "any steak," and for dessert, "the chocolate/peanut-butter cake is amazing."

Kemp took our call for a hometown pick back to his family home in Oklahoma City, where he gives an enthusiastic endorsement for Elmer's Uptown: "It's family owned and operated with the BEST chicken basket and catfish!"

As for Victorino, apparently he has a reputation among Philadelphia restaurateurs. He would send fans to Bluefin, a sushi restaurant in suburban Plymouth Meeting, Pa., and have them "ask for the Victorino-inspired menu." But, cautions the Phillies fan favorite, "make sure you are hungry!"