Edgar Martínez

2.1. Minor League Years and Prospect

Martínez's journey into professional baseball began when he attended a tryout held by the Seattle Mariners. Despite being exhausted from a long night working at the factory and feeling too tired to swing the bat effectively, he impressed the scouts. On December 12, 1982, the Mariners signed him to a contract with a modest 4.00 K USD signing bonus. He initially considered declining the offer due to his earnings in Puerto Rico, but Carmelo convinced him to sign.

He made his professional debut in Minor League Baseball with the Bellingham Mariners of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League in 1983 as a third baseman, where he struggled, batting only .173 with no home runs. However, the scout who signed him persuaded Hal Keller, the Mariners' general manager, to send Martínez to the Arizona Instructional League (AIL), typically reserved for top prospects. In the AIL, Martínez excelled, batting .340.

In 1984, he showed significant improvement, batting .303 with 15 home runs and 84 walks for the Wausau Timbers of the Class A Midwest League. Martínez continued his ascent through the minors, playing for the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Class AA Southern League and the Calgary Cannons of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League (PCL) in 1985. In 1986, he returned to Chattanooga and led all third basemen with a .960 fielding percentage. During his 1987 season with Calgary, Martínez recorded a .327 batting average, 10 home runs, and 31 doubles in 129 games, leading the team in several offensive categories, including batting average, hits, doubles, on-base percentage, games played, and walks.

2.2. Major League Debut and Early Struggles (1987-1989)

Martínez made his Major League Baseball debut on September 12, 1987, as a third baseman. He quickly showed promise, batting .372 over his first 13 career games. However, the Mariners already had Jim Presley as their committed third baseman, limiting Martínez's opportunities.

In 1988, Martínez began the season with Calgary but was called up to the majors in early May. After playing in only four games with the Mariners, he was sent back to Calgary, where he again led the PCL in batting average with a .363 mark. He was recalled in September, hitting .389 in 10 games. Overall, in his second MLB season, he played 14 games, batting .281 with a .351 on-base percentage (OBP) and a .406 slugging percentage.

The Mariners named Martínez their starting third baseman for the 1989 Opening Day roster. Despite this, he struggled and was optioned back to Calgary in May. He batted .345 in 32 games for the Cannons and .240 in 65 games for the Mariners that year. Following the regular season, Martínez played winter baseball in the Puerto Rican Baseball League, where he had a remarkable .424 batting average over 43 games, leading the league and earning co-MVP honors with Carlos Baerga. His determination and strong performance in the winter league hinted at his future success.

2.3. Breakthrough and First Batting Title (1990-1992)

In 1990, Martínez signed a one-year contract for 90.00 K USD. Initially, Darnell Coles was the Mariners' starting third baseman. However, after Coles committed five errors in the first six games, manager Jim Lefebvre moved Coles to the outfield and inserted Martínez at third base. This decision proved pivotal as Martínez established himself as a full-time Major League player, batting .302 and leading the team with a .397 on-base percentage in 144 games.

Before the 1991 season, Martínez secured a two-year contract worth 850.00 K USD. He continued his strong offensive performance, winning his first MLB Player of the Week Award for the week ending July 14. He finished the 1991 season with career highs in batting average (.307), on-base percentage (.405), and slugging percentage (.452) in 150 games.

The 1992 season marked Martínez's official breakthrough as a premier hitter. He was selected to his first All-Star Game and earned two consecutive MLB Player of the Month Awards for July and August. During the season, he signed a significant three-year, 10.00 M USD contract with Seattle, the largest the franchise had offered at that point. Martínez finished the 1992 season with an MLB-leading batting average of .343, securing his first batting title-a first for the Mariners franchise and the highest by a right-handed hitter since Harvey Kuenn's .353 in 1959. He also led the league with 46 doubles, setting a team record (since surpassed by Alex Rodriguez), and tied Frank Thomas for the most doubles in MLB. After the season, he received his first American League (AL) Silver Slugger Award as a third baseman.

2.4. Injury Setbacks and Transition to Designated Hitter (1993-1994)

The period of 1993-1994 was challenging for Martínez due to recurring injuries, which ultimately led to a significant shift in his playing role. In an exhibition game before the 1993 season at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, he suffered a torn hamstring on an unzipped seam in the turf between first and second base. This injury caused him to miss 42 games at the start of the season, and he was placed on the disabled list two more times, severely limiting his playing time.

In 1994, his injury woes continued as he was hit on the right wrist by a pitch from Dennis Martínez in his first plate appearance of the season, sending him back to the disabled list. Between these injuries and the 1994 MLB strike, he played in only 131 games across both the 1993 and 1994 seasons. In 1994, he appeared in 89 games, playing 65 as a third baseman and 23 as a designated hitter (DH), with one pinch-running appearance. Recognizing his immense batting talent despite his physical limitations at third base, the Mariners began to strategically use him more frequently as a designated hitter, a move that would define the rest of his illustrious career.

2.5. Dominance as Designated Hitter (1995-2001)

Martínez transitioned to a full-time designated hitter role in 1995, a move that unleashed his offensive prowess and solidified his status as one of baseball's premier hitters. Despite the shortened season due to the 1994-1995 MLB strike, he played in all 145 games, leading the league with a .356 batting average, a .479 OBP, 121 runs scored, and 52 doubles. His batting average was the highest for a right-handed hitter since Joe DiMaggio's .381 in 1939, and he became the first right-handed hitter to win two batting titles since Luke Appling in 1943. He also recorded an impressive 1.107 on-base plus slugging (OPS). He earned his second AL batting title, a DH Silver Slugger Award, and his first Outstanding Designated Hitter Award. He finished third in the AL Most Valuable Player Award voting, contributing significantly to the Mariners' first-ever division title and playoff appearance. His exceptional performance earned him the moniker "the strongest DH in history."

In 1996, Martínez batted .327 and was selected for the 1996 MLB All-Star Game. An unfortunate collision with John Marzano during a rare appearance at third base in August resulted in four broken ribs, sidelining him for 21 games. He recorded his 1,000th career MLB hit on August 21. Martínez continued his success in 1997, earning another All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger Award. He finished second in the AL with a .330 average and won his second Outstanding Designated Hitter Award. The Mariners made the 1997 ALDS, but lost to the Baltimore Orioles in four games. In 1998, he batted .320 with 29 home runs and led the AL with a .429 OBP, winning his third Outstanding Designated Hitter Award.

In 1999, Martínez was diagnosed with strabismus, a condition causing his right eye to intermittently drift and impair his depth perception. Despite this challenge, he maintained his exceptional hitting, leading the AL with a .447 OBP and batting .337. He achieved his 1,500th career hit on August 14. To counteract his eye condition, Martínez incorporated specific eye muscle exercises into his pre-game routine, such as reading numbers on fast-pitched tennis balls from a batting machine, which helped sharpen his dynamic vision.

The 2000 season saw Martínez earn his fifth All-Star selection. At 37, he posted a career-best 37 home runs and led the American League with 145 RBIs, earning his first RBI title. This was particularly notable as the Mariners' home park, Safeco Field, which opened in 1999, was considered disadvantageous for right-handed power hitters. He played a crucial role in the Mariners reaching the postseason, batting .364 in the 2000 ALDS against the Chicago White Sox, though the Mariners eventually lost to the New York Yankees in the 2000 American League Championship Series (ALCS). He finished sixth in AL MVP Award balloting and won his fourth Outstanding Designated Hitter Award.

In 2001, Martínez was again an All-Star selection, batting .306 with 116 RBIs. This marked his tenth season batting .300 or better (his seventh consecutive) and his sixth season with 100 RBIs. The Mariners tied the major league record set by the 1906 Chicago Cubs with 116 wins. Martínez hit .313 with two home run in the 2001 ALDS as Seattle defeated Cleveland, but batted .150 in the 2001 ALCS against the Yankees. He received his fourth Silver Slugger Award and fifth Outstanding Designated Hitter Award that year.

2.6. Later Career and Retirement (2002-2004)

Martínez's final years in baseball were characterized by persistent injury challenges, yet he maintained remarkable effectiveness at the plate. In 2002, he was limited to 97 games due to leg injuries, including a pulled hamstring and surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his left knee. Although he held a .301 batting average as late as September 8, a late-season slump saw him finish the year with a .277 average.

In 2003, Martínez continued to battle hamstring issues. Despite this, he batted .304 in the first half of the season and was named to the 2003 MLB All-Star Game. On May 2, he achieved his 2,000th career hit. In September, he broke a toe after it was hit by a foul ball, which further limited him. The Mariners even created custom steel-toed cleats for him to help prevent future injuries. Despite these setbacks, he concluded the season with a .294 batting average, 24 home runs, and a .403 OBP, earning his fifth Silver Slugger Award. He had considered retirement after the 2003 season, but the team's encouragement led him to play one more year.

The 2004 season proved to be his last. Martínez contended with a sore back, ongoing leg injuries, and difficulties with his eyesight. As the Mariners struggled and fell out of postseason contention, the team began to give more playing time to younger players like Bucky Jacobsen at designated hitter. On August 9, 2004, Martínez officially announced his retirement, effective at the end of the season. Reflecting on his decision, he stated, "It is hard, very hard, I feel in my mind and my heart I want to keep playing. But my body is saying something differently, so I feel this is a good decision." His final home game on August 10 against the Minnesota Twins at Safeco Field saw him receive a continuous standing ovation, highlighted by a two-run home run in his first at-bat. Ichiro Suzuki, who scored on that home run, later commented, "It must have been the most exciting at-bat. He's just too cool."

Martínez concluded his career having achieved several milestones in his final year, including his 500th career double and 300th career home run, becoming only the 20th player in MLB history to reach 500 doubles. After the 2004 season, he was awarded the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, an honor that recognizes players who best exemplify sportsmanship, community involvement, and the individual's contribution to his team. This award held special significance for Martínez, as Clemente had been his childhood idol.

3.1. Batting Style and Discipline

Martínez's batting was characterized by precise bat control and the ability to hit the ball to all fields, a skill known as spread hitting (広角打法_{kōkaku-dahō}^Japanese). He was widely recognized for his excellent plate discipline, consistently drawing walks and forcing pitchers to throw many pitches. His career on-base percentage significantly exceeded his batting average, demonstrating his patient and selective approach at the plate. He consistently ranked among the MLB leaders in pitches seen per at-bat, making him a difficult out for any pitcher.

Despite his consistent offensive output and high on-base plus slugging (OPS) numbers, Martínez was often considered an underrated hitter during his career, perhaps due to his quiet demeanor and his role as a designated hitter. He possessed a remarkable ability to perform in critical situations, earning a reputation as a clutch hitter. His iconic two-run double in the 1995 ALDS, known as "The Double," is the quintessential example of his clutch hitting, a moment he himself highlighted as a defining point of his career.

Even after being diagnosed with strabismus, a condition causing his right eye to intermittently drift, Martínez maintained his exceptional eyesight and hitting ability. He diligently incorporated specific eye muscle exercises into his training regimen, including practicing reading numbers on tennis balls launched at high speeds from a batting machine to improve his dynamic vision.

Martínez holds several Seattle Mariners franchise records, including career games (2055), at-bats (7213), runs (1219), doubles (514), RBIs (1261), total bases (3718), extra-base hits (838), walks (1283), sacrifice flies (77), and hit-by-pitches (89). He also holds the franchise record for career on-base percentage (.418) and single-season records for walks (123 in 1996) and on-base percentage (.479 in 1995). His 243 home runs as a designated hitter were an MLB record until surpassed by Frank Thomas in 2007.

3.2. Fielding and Baserunning

Before his transition to primarily a designated hitter, Martínez played third base. His defensive capabilities at the hot corner were considered average or above average, as evidenced by leading American League third basemen in fielding percentage in 1986 in the minor leagues. However, after recurring leg injuries, particularly a torn hamstring in 1993, his fielding responsibilities significantly decreased. In games where the designated hitter rule was not used, such as interleague play, he occasionally played first base.

Initially, Martínez possessed above-average running speed, even making his Major League debut as a pinch-runner and hitting a triple for his first MLB hit. However, chronic leg injuries and surgeries on his knee in his younger years severely limited his ability to run at full speed. As a result, he was often referred to as "slow-footed" (鈍足_don-soku^Japanese) by teammates and the media. Ichiro Suzuki famously joked that Martínez ran like a "local train" (各駅停車_{kaku-eki-teisha}^Japanese). Despite his perceived lack of speed, Martínez was known for his efficiency and smart baserunning, making very few mistakes on the basepaths and even attempting a surprising number of stolen bases given his physical limitations. Towards the end of his career, it became common for him to be replaced by a pinch-runner in the late innings after reaching base.

6.1. Impact on Baseball and the DH Role

Edgar Martínez is credited with fundamentally redefining the designated hitter (DH) position in Major League Baseball. Before his era, the DH was often seen as a temporary role for aging players or those with defensive limitations, and it lacked the prestige of other positions. Martínez, through his consistent offensive excellence and remarkable longevity in the role, elevated the DH to a position of strategic importance and offensive threat. His dominant performance demonstrated that a player could be a Hall of Fame-caliber talent while primarily serving as a designated hitter.

In recognition of his groundbreaking career, MLB officially renamed the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award in Martínez's honor in 2004, creating the Edgar Martínez Award. This award annually recognizes the most outstanding designated hitter in Major League Baseball, forever linking his name to the position he revolutionized. Notably, Paul Molitor, who coached Martínez as a hitting coach, later received the Edgar Martínez Award, a testament to the influence Martínez had on the role. Hall of Fame pitcher Mariano Rivera famously stated that Martínez was "the only guy that I didn't want to face" in tough situations because he "couldn't get him out," highlighting Martínez's exceptional hitting prowess, especially against top-tier pitching. Similarly, Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martínez (no relation) also named Edgar Martínez as one of the toughest hitters he faced, praising his plate discipline and ability to foul off pitches that would defeat others.

6.2. Team and Local Honors

Martínez has received numerous honors from the Seattle Mariners and the city of Seattle, reflecting his status as a beloved franchise player and local icon. On September 9, 2003, he was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in a pregame ceremony at Safeco Field. Following his retirement in October 2004, a section of South Atlantic Street (State Route 519) in Seattle, adjacent to Safeco Field, was officially renamed "Edgar Martínez Drive South." During his retirement ceremony, the Mariners presented him with a portrait painted by artist Michele Rushworth, capturing his distinctive high-stepping batting style.

In 2005, fans voted Martínez as the third baseman on the "Latino Legends Team," further recognizing his significant contributions to baseball and the Hispanic community. The Seattle Mariners officially inducted Martínez into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame on June 2, 2007, solidifying his place among the team's greats. On August 12, 2017, the Mariners retired his uniform number 11 in a special ceremony, making him only the second player in franchise history, after Ken Griffey Jr., to have his number permanently taken out of circulation. A statue honoring Martínez was installed outside Seattle's T-Mobile Park in 2021.

His impact also extends to his home in Puerto Rico, where the Complejo Deportivo Edgar Martinez_{Edgar Martinez Sports Complex}^Spanish was built in barrio Higuillar, Dorado. This sports complex, which includes a baseball field, track field, basketball court, and gym, hosts school sports competitions. After sustaining structural damage from Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma in 2017, a 700.00 K USD restoration of the complex was completed in 2021, showcasing the lasting community value associated with his name.

6.3. National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction

Edgar Martínez's path to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum was a subject of much debate, primarily centered on the eligibility of designated hitters. He became eligible for election in the 2010 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting and received 36.2% of the vote, well below the 75% required for induction.

Over the subsequent years, his vote total steadily increased. While some sportswriters initially argued that his offensive numbers, however impressive, did not fully compensate for his largely one-dimensional career as a DH, others countered by comparing the DH role to that of closers, who also specialize in a single facet of the game (pitching one inning to secure a win) and are not involved in other aspects like hitting or baserunning. By the 2018 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, his ninth year on the ballot, Martínez's support grew significantly to 70.4%.

In the 2019 ballot, his final year of eligibility for election by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, Martínez was elected to the Hall of Fame, appearing on 85.4% of the ballots cast. He became the second player to enter the Hall of Fame primarily as a Mariner, following Ken Griffey Jr., and the sixth player to be elected in his final year of eligibility, joining Red Ruffing, Joe Medwick, Ralph Kiner, Jim Rice, and Tim Raines. He was inducted alongside Mariano Rivera, who became the first unanimous selection, and the late Roy Halladay.

7.1. Batting and Fielding Statistics

Key:

• Bold indicates league leader.
• BA: Batting Average
• OBP: On-base Percentage
• SLG: Slugging Percentage
• OPS: On-base Plus Slugging
• G: Games played
• PA: Plate appearances
• AB: At-bats
• R: Runs
• H: Hits
• 2B: Doubles
• 3B: Triples
• HR: Home runs
• TB: Total bases
• RBI: Runs batted in
• SB: Stolen bases
• CS: Caught stealing
• BB: Bases on balls (walks)
• SO: Strikeouts
• Pos: Primary position played
• DP: Double plays
• FPct: Fielding percentage

7.2. Titles and Awards

Edgar Martínez's career was adorned with numerous individual accolades, reflecting his consistent excellence and impact.

• Batting Champion**: 2 times (1992, 1995)
• RBI Champion**: 1 time (2000)
• Silver Slugger Award**: 5 times
  • Third Baseman: 1 time (1992)
  • Designated Hitter: 4 times (1995, 1997, 2001, 2003)
• Edgar Martínez Award (Outstanding Designated Hitter Award)**: 5 times (1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001)
• Roberto Clemente Award**: 1 time (2004)
• Seattle Mariners Team MVP**: 2 times (1992, 1995)
• MLB Player of the Month Award**: 5 times (July 1992, August 1992, June 1995, May 2000, May 2003)
• MLB Player of the Week Award**: 7 times

7.3. Records and Achievements

Martínez established several significant records and achieved notable milestones throughout his career at both the Major League Baseball and Seattle Mariners franchise levels.

• MLB All-Star Game Selection**: 7 times (1992, 1995-1997, 2000-2001, 2003)
• Sporting News Annual Best Nine**: 4 times (1992, 1995, 1997, 2001)

• Major League Baseball Records:**

• Seattle Mariners Franchise Records (Career):**

• Seattle Mariners Franchise Records (Single Season):**

• Seattle Mariners Franchise Records (Single Game):**

Martínez is also one of only 18 MLB players to record a career batting average of .300, an on-base percentage of .400, and a slugging percentage of .500 in 5,000 or more plate appearances.