Edgar Martinez

Edgar Martinez (January 2, 1963-) is the only full-time designated hitter in Major League Baseball history to win a batting title, and has garnered significant consideration for Hall of Fame induction possibly making him the first DH to achieve such an honor. Edgar signed with the Seattle Mariners in 1982 and was widely recognized for his glove rather than his bat. Playing in the minor league until 1987 and finally finding a regular spot in 1990, Edgar made the best of his new job as he batted .302 with 11 home runs and 49 RBI as a third baseman. In1992. He led the American League in doubles with 47 and batting average with a .343 mark. By 1995, the Mariners used Martinez strictly as a designated hitter and he responded leading the AL in games (145), runs (121), doubles (52), batting average (.356) and on-base percentage (.479). He won his second of five Silver Sluggers, earned his second of seven All-Star appearances and finished third in AL MVP voting. Playing much of his career hitting behind sluggers Ken Griffey, Jr., Jay Buhner and Alex Rodriguez, once Martinez became the undisputed Mariners DH his number were staggering as he averaged a .316 BA, 156 hits, 36 doubles, 25 HRs and 99 RBI from 1995 to 2004. His numbers even rose as Seattle traded or lost high-profile players to free agency. Edgar is often remembered for his clutch hitting, most significantly when he hit a doubles against the New York Yankees in the 1995 ALDS to put them into the ALCS against the Cleveland Indians. The shot is known in the Settle area as “The Double.” Edgar Martinez ended his career, entirely played with the Mariners (1987-2004), with a .312 career batting average, 2,247 hits including 514 doubles and 309 home runs, 1,219 runs and 1,261 RBI. In 2004, Major League Baseball renamed the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award. Edgar Martinez was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.