At the end of the 2004 baseball season, Edgar Martinez announced his retirement after 18 years in the Major Leagues, all with one team — the Seattle Mariners. One of baseball’s best hitters, Edgar is once again on the ballot this winter as Baseball Writers’ Association of America voters begin to cast their ballots for the Hall of Fame Class of 2017.

Martinez earned 43.4% percent of the vote in 2016, continuing his steady climb in percentage: he earned 36.2 percent of the vote in 2010, 32.9 in 2011, 36.5 in 2012, 35.9 in 2013, 25.2 in 2014 and 27.0 in 2015. This year, he is making his 8th appearance on the ballot.

Edgar became the Mariners regular third baseman in 1990 at the age of 27. In his first three seasons, he proved to be a good defensive third baseman and was the 1992 AL batting champion, the first of his two league batting titles. Injuries limited him in 1993 and 1994, and manager Lou Piniella moved him to designated hitter in 1995, the position he primarily played the rest of his career.

Edgar hit .343 in 1992 to earn the American League batting title, at the time the highest batting average in the AL by a right-handed hitter dating back to 1959 when Harvey Kuenn hit .353 with Detroit. In addition to leading the league in hitting, he led in doubles (46), was 2nd in slugging percentage (.544) and 4th in on-base percentage (.404).

Edgar was very simply one of the top all-around hitters of his era as well as in baseball history. He combined power with the ability to reach base safely, both at rates that rank high on the all-time lists of Hall of Fame hitters. From 1990 (when he became a regular) and his retirement in 2004, the Mariners posted a .512 winning percentage, and were one of just 11 MLB teams to win more than 1,200 games.

Edgar’s skills on the field were only outshone by his character off the field. In addition to being beloved by teammates and respected by opponents, Edgar was (and is) an important benefactor to his community. He moved to Seattle when he joined the Mariners and never left. Following the 2004 season he was recognized with the Roberto Clemente Award, and in 2007 he was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. He, and his wife, continue to give generously to the greater Seattle community through The Martinez Foundation. The foundation is primarily focused on helping to provide resources and encouragement to highly-qualified young teachers and student-teachers of color to help provide underserved populations with educational opportunities.

The Mariners organization is proud to provide for your consideration the information below which is intended to present Edgar’s outstanding career accomplishments and put them into historical perspective.

[All statistics and notes are from baseball’s modern era (since 1901), and percentages are based on a minimum of 3,000 plate appearances.]

EDGAR MARTINEZ: BATTING TITLES AND AWARDS…

2 American League Batting Titles : 1992 (.343) and 1995 (.356)

: 1992 (.343) and 1995 (.356) 3 American League On-Base Percentage Titles : 1995 (.479), 1998 (.429), 1999 (.447)

: 1995 (.479), 1998 (.429), 1999 (.447) 5 Silver Slugger Awards: 1992, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2003

1992, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2003 5 Designated Hitter of the Year Awards: 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 (now the Edgar Martinez Award )

1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 (now the ) 6 Top-10 finishes in American League in Slugging Percentage: 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001

1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001 7 All-Star Game Appearances : 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003

: 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003 7 Top-10 finishes in American League in Average: 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999

1990, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 11 Top-10 finishes in AL On-Base Pct: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003

1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 Roberto Clemente Award: 2004

In his career vs. Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, Edgar hit .625 (10x16) with 3 doubles, 2 home runs, 6 RBI and 3 walks.

DEFINING A POSITION: THE EDGAR MARTINEZ OUTSTANDING DESIGNATED HITTER AWARD

On October 2, 2004, during a retirement ceremony at Safeco Field, Commissioner Bud Selig announced that Major League Baseball had renamed the annual Outstanding Designated Hitter Award the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award. Edgar was a five-time winner (1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001) of the award during his career.

Edgar has the highest career batting average, on-base percentage and OPS (OBP + SLG) of any player as a designated hitter (min. 3,000 PA as DH). He also ranks among the top 3 in home runs, RBI and doubles as a DH.

WINS ABOVE REPLACEMENT

Gar recorded a career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of 68.3, the 70th-highest mark in baseball history. Only 21 players have a career WAR of at least 68.3 and are not in the Hall of Fame (14 are not on ballot this year). From 1995–2001, he recorded a WAR of 40.6, the 5th-best mark in baseball behind Barry Bonds (56.7), Alex Rodriguez (46.6), Jeff Bagwell (44.8) and Ken Griffey Jr. (41.0). He is one of 34 players all-time with at least 10 seasons with a WAR of 4.50 or higher (30 are already elected into the Hall of Fame).

TOP ON-BASE PERFORMERS SINCE WORLD WAR II

Among players with at least 7,500 plate appearances since 1945, Edgar is one of only four players with a career on-base percentage of at least .418 (also: Barry Bonds, Mickey Mantle and Frank Thomas) and one of only 13 players with a career batting average of at least .312.

Edgar is one of only 9 players in Major League history to have collected 300+ HR, 500+ doubles, 1000+ walks, boast an average over .300 and an on-base percentage over .400. He joins Stan Musial, Rogers Hornsby, Babe Ruth, Chipper Jones, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, Manny Ramirez and Todd Helton as the only players to accomplish that feat.

SELECT COMPANY: HITTERS WITH CAREER .300+ — .400+ — .500+ PERCENTAGES

Edgar is one of 21 players in Major League history to have a lifetime batting average over .300, a lifetime on-base percentage over .400 and a lifetime slugging percentage over .500 (min. 3,000 PA). The others are Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby, Joe Jackson, Lefty O’Doul, Tris Speaker, Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, Harry Heilmann, Lou Gehrig, Stan Musial, Jimmie Foxx, Todd Helton, Hank Greenberg, Larry Walker, Joey Votto, Manny Ramirez, Mike Trout, Mel Ott, Chipper Jones and Frank Thomas.

“A professional, quiet, humble giant and one of best right-handed hitters ever seen.” — Dusty Baker

ON-BASE PERCENTAGE AND EDGAR

Edgar ranks 17th on the all-time list with a career on-base percentage of .418. His .418 career OBP is 4th-highest among right-handed batters. Of the 16 players with a higher on-base percentage, 10 are in the Hall of Fame.

AN HISTORIC SEVEN-YEAR RUN OF OFFENSE

During the 7-year stretch from 1995–2001, Edgar was a dominant offensive force, batting .329 with a .446 on-base percentage and a .574 slugging percentage. He also recorded 291 doubles in 1,020 games. His average ranked 5th in the Majors, his slugging was 14th, on-base was 2nd and he led the Majors in doubles. Martinez joins Lou Gehrig (1925–1938), Ted Williams (1939–1949) and Todd Helton (1999–2006) as one of only four players in history to record a 7-season stretch meeting the following statistical milestones:

Batting average of at least .325

On-base Percentage of at least .440

Slugging Percentage of at least .570

Hit at least 250 doubles

Play in at least 1,000 games.

Martinez collected 20 or more doubles in 11 consecutive years (1994–2004), and in 14 of his final 15 seasons (1990–92 & 1994–04).

500 DOUBLES

Edgar recorded his 500th career double May 7, 2004 vs. New York, at the time becoming the 39th player in modern baseball history to collect 500 doubles. He finished his career with 514, which currently ranks 53rd-most in Major League history.

POWER AND PATIENCE

Edgar collected four 100+ walk seasons (1995–98). He also had eight 90+ walk seasons (1995–2001, 2003) including the four 100 walk campaigns. For his career, he walked 1,283 times in 8,672 plate appearances (14.79%). He tallied more walks than strikeouts in 10 different seasons and finished his career with more walks than K’s (1,283 career walks, 1,202 career strikeouts). Among players with 300 or more homers, Edgar is one of just 28 players with more walks than strikeouts. Of the 28 players, 22 are eligible for the Hall of Fame and 18 are members.

“Edgar Martinez is, hands down, the best hitter that I’ve ever seen. I’m glad I didn’t have to face him too much. Having seen him play from ’89 to all the way when I left, I got to see him a lot against great pitchers. Like I said, hands down, he is the best pure hitter that I got to see on a nightly basis. And I hope that his time comes soon, that he gets a phone call stating that he’s a Hall of Fame player, because he is.” — Randy Johnson

Edgar Martinez and Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. were teammates on the Mariners from 1989–1999, anchoring one of the most prolific offensive lineups of their era.

A TRUE SEATTLE MARINER

Through 2016, Edgar ranks first in on-base percentage on the Mariners all-time list, second in batting average, third in slugging; also leads the franchise in games, runs, total bases, doubles, walks and is 2nd in home runs and hits.

On March 5, 2005, the section of Atlantic Street South that runs along the south side of Safeco Field was designated as “Edgar Martinez Drive South” by then Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels.

Edgar is perhaps best remembered for his performance in the 1995 ALDS against the Yankees in which he hit .571 and was on base 18 times in the 5-game series. In Game 4 he hit a three-run homer, then a grand slam home run that gave the Mariners a 10–6 lead en route to an 11–8 victory. His 7 RBI in that game set a single-game postseason record. The win knotted the best-of-5 series at 2–2, forcing the decisive Game 5. Down 5–4 in the 11th inning, Martinez hit a two-run double, simply called “The Double” by Mariners fans, off Jack McDowell, scoring Joey Cora and Ken Griffey Jr. to win the game for the Mariners, 6–5.

Edgar has been a part of the Seattle Mariners organization since he was signed as a non-drafted free agent in December of 1982. He has been in uniform for the Mariners as a player or coach for 20 of the club’s 40 seasons.

Edgar was inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame on June 2, 2007, at the time the 3rd player honored in team history. He joins Alvin Davis, Dave Niehaus, Jay Buhner, Randy Johnson, Dan Wilson, Ken Griffey Jr., Lou Piniella and Jamie Moyer in the Mariners Hall of Fame.

SILVER SLUGGER AWARDS

Edgar won 5 Silver Slugger Awards (1992, 1995, 1997, 2001 & 2003) making him one of just 33 players in history with five or more. He is one of just 21 non-outfielders to win five or more Silver Slugger Awards. He won one when he was predominantly a third baseman (1992) and four when he was predominantly a designated hitter. His 4 Sliver Sluggers as a DH are tied for 2nd-most behind David Ortiz (6).

IN THE COMMUNITY

Following the 2004 season, Edgar received the Roberto Clemente Award, the MLB award that recognizes the player who combines a dedication to giving back to the community with outstanding skills on the baseball field. Martinez was the first Puerto Rican player to win the award.

Edgar gave, and continues to give, generously of his time to support causes important to him and his family. Above, Edgar visits local elementary students on Mariners Education Day in 2001.

In 2007 Edgar was inducted to the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame along with Dikembe Mutombo (NBA) and Kyle Petty (NASCAR). This Hall of Fame, located in Boise, ID, recognizes individuals and organizations from the world of amateur and pro athletics who, through their humanitarian efforts, distinguish themselves as role models in the community.

The Martinez Foundation was founded by Edgar and his wife, Holli, in 2008. The foundation has a mission is to prepare and support diverse and highly-qualified teachers who will raise expectations, accelerate learning and close the opportunity gap by granting fellowships and promoting innovative social justice curriculum. The foundation’s goal is to strengthen communities by providing underserved populations with educational opportunities.