1. Overview
Dámaso Marte Saviñón (Dámaso Marte SaviñónDámaso Marte SaviñónSpanish), born on February 14, 1975, is a former Dominican professional relief pitcher known for his significant contributions to two World Series championship teams. His career spanned from 1999 to 2011, during which he played for the Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees. Marte is particularly remembered for his crucial role as the winning pitcher in Game 3 of the 2005 World Series and his extraordinary postseason performance that helped the Yankees secure the 2009 World Series title. After retiring due to injuries, Marte has dedicated his efforts to supporting a children's foundation, reflecting his commitment to community service.
2. Early Life and Career Beginnings
Dámaso Marte's journey into professional baseball began in the Dominican Republic, where he was born and developed his early skills.
2.1. Birth and Early Development
Dámaso Marte Saviñón was born on February 14, 1975. Hailing from the Dominican Republic, he embarked on his baseball career at a young age, showcasing talent that would lead him to the highest levels of the sport.
2.2. Amateur Career and MLB Debut
Marte was signed as an amateur free agent by the Seattle Mariners in 1992. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on June 30, 1999, in a game against the Oakland Athletics. During this debut, which resulted in a 14-5 loss for the Mariners, he pitched one inning and allowed three earned runs.
3. Professional Career
Dámaso Marte played for several teams throughout his professional career, distinguishing himself primarily as a relief pitcher, and notably contributing to two World Series victories.
3.1. Seattle Mariners
Marte's professional journey began with the Seattle Mariners, who signed him as an amateur free agent in 1992. His first appearance in Major League Baseball came on June 30, 1999, against the Oakland Athletics, where he saw limited action during a losing effort.
3.2. First Stint with Pittsburgh Pirates
On November 16, 2000, Marte initially signed with the New York Yankees, but his tenure there was brief. On June 13, 2001, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Enrique Wilson. In his Pirates debut on June 24, 2001, against the Montreal Expos, Marte pitched three innings, allowing only one hit. He later demonstrated his pitching capabilities against the Cincinnati Reds, throwing 14 innings where he allowed only one run and recorded a career-high five strikeouts.
3.3. Chicago White Sox
On March 27, 2002, Marte, along with Edwin Yan, was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Matt Guerrier. The 2003 season proved to be his most successful in the major leagues, as he achieved a 4-2 record with an impressive 1.58 ERA over 79.7 innings pitched, striking out a career-high 87 batters. He continued his strong performance into 2004, holding opposing batters to a .217 batting average and left-handed batters to an even lower .143 average. He also matched his career high for strikeouts in a single game with five against the Florida Marlins. A pivotal moment in his career came during Game 3 of the 2005 World Series against the Houston Astros. In what was then the longest game in World Series history, Marte was the winning pitcher, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings and striking out three batters in the 14-inning victory. The White Sox ultimately won the World Series against the Astros in four games, securing their championship title.
3.4. Second Stint with Pittsburgh Pirates
On December 8, 2005, the White Sox traded Marte back to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Rob Mackowiak. In 2006, Marte made three relief appearances for the Dominican Republic in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, but his participation was cut short due to shoulder inflammation. Despite a challenging regular season where he lost seven consecutive games as a reliever, he maintained an average of 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. In 2007, he found considerable success, limiting left-handed batters to an outstanding .094 batting average. He also achieved a remarkable streak of 32 consecutive at-bats against left-handers without allowing a hit, which stood as the longest such streak by a left-handed batter against any pitcher in MLB at the time. After an injury to Matt Capps, Marte briefly assumed the role of the Pirates' closer, recording five saves before his subsequent trade to the Yankees.
3.5. New York Yankees
On July 26, 2008, Marte, along with Xavier Nady, was traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for four minor league prospects: José Tábata, Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens, and Daniel McCutchen. In his Yankees debut, he relieved José Veras and famously struck out David Ortiz swinging. Although the Yankees initially declined his option after the 2008 season, they re-signed him to a new three-year contract that included an option for a fourth year. Despite a disappointing 2009 regular season in which he posted a 9.45 ERA, Marte delivered an extraordinary performance during the playoffs. After a shaky first outing in Game 2 of the 2009 American League Division Series against the Minnesota Twins, where he allowed two consecutive singles before being relieved, he impressively retired all twelve of the remaining batters he faced throughout the entire postseason. In Game 6 of the 2009 World Series, Marte notably faced Philadelphia Phillies stars Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, striking out both on the minimum six pitches. Marte and the Yankees went on to win Game 6, securing the Series for the team's 27th championship.
4. Injuries and Career End
The latter part of Dámaso Marte's career was significantly impacted by injuries, ultimately leading to his retirement from professional baseball.
4.1. Significant Injuries
Marte missed a substantial portion of the 2010 season due to left arm inflammation. Following this, he underwent left shoulder surgery late in the 2010 season, which forced him to miss the entire 2011 season. By late June 2011, he began the arduous process of recovery, starting to play catch as part of his rehabilitation efforts.
4.2. Retirement from Baseball
At the end of the 2011 season, Dámaso Marte became a free agent after the Yankees declined his 2012 option. As part of this decision, the Yankees paid him a 250.00 K USD buyout. His persistent struggles with injuries ultimately led to the conclusion of his professional playing career.
5. Post-Playing Activities
Following his retirement from professional baseball, Dámaso Marte has focused on making positive contributions to society, notably through his involvement with a children's foundation.
5.1. Children's Foundation
After concluding his professional playing career, Dámaso Marte has actively supported a children's foundation that bears his name. This foundation is dedicated to providing assistance and creating opportunities for children in need, reflecting Marte's commitment to social causes and giving back to the community.
6. Legacy and Evaluation
Dámaso Marte's career in Major League Baseball is primarily characterized by his resilience and his pivotal contributions to two World Series championship teams. As a specialist against left-handed batters, his ability to deliver under high-pressure situations, particularly in critical postseason games, made him an invaluable asset. His extraordinary performance during the 2009 playoffs, which directly led to the New York Yankees' 27th championship, stands as a testament to his clutch pitching. Beyond his on-field achievements, Marte's continued support for a children's foundation underscores his enduring positive impact and commitment to community welfare, solidifying his legacy beyond the confines of the baseball diamond.