The Edgar Martinez Award

Retiring DH is honored during postgame tribute

By TIM KORTE, AP Sports Writer
October 3, 2004
SEATTLE (AP) -- They sure love Edgar Martinez in Seattle.

On the eve of his final game in the majors, the Mariners' retiring designated hitter was honored with a lengthy postgame tribute Saturday night after Seattle's 10-4 loss to the Texas Rangers.

``I would like to thank so many people,'' Martinez said. ``Along the way, so many people impacted my life. They helped me so much to accomplish all the things I've been able to accomplish on the field.''

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig was cheered by fans who stayed after the game when he announced that baseball's award honoring the designated hitter of the year will be called The Edgar Martinez Award.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels said the city will rename a stretch of Atlantic Street that borders Safeco Field. From now on, it's Edgar Martinez Drive.

``You're the first player in major league history with an 800-foot line drive in your honor,'' Nickels told Martinez, who jogged around the ballpark after making his remarks, slapping hands and waving to fans.

The celebration opened with a video of career highlights, and then a long ovation when Martinez emerged from the clubhouse. He walked a red carpet to the infield as fireworks went off and the theme from ``Superman'' played.

``We love you, my friend,'' broadcaster Dave Niehaus told him, leading fans in the popular singsong chant of ``Eddd-gaaar! Eddd-gaaar! Eddd-gaaar!''

Martinez -- nicknamed ``Papi,'' a Spanish term of endearment -- sat quietly with his two children and his wife, Holli, while dignitaries, teammates and former teammates sang his praises.

``Stats aside, he is one of the best men I've ever known,'' Seattle second baseman Bret Boone said. ``He epitomized what a professional is and how he goes about his business, how he acts. It's been unbelievable being a part of this guy's life, even if it's in the smallest way.''

The parade included Seling, Gov. Gary Locke, and Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda. Former teammates Norm Charlton, Jay Buhner, Mike Blowers, Dave Valle and Alvin Davis also appeared.

``Two outs and two strikes. So what?'' Buhner said. ``You knew this guy was going to come through in the clutch.''

The 41-year-old Martinez, considered one of the greatest right-handed hitters of his generation, is a career .312 hitter, with 309 homers, 2,247 hits, 514 doubles, 1,283 walks and a career on-base percentage of .418. He's a seven-time All-Star and a two-time AL batting champion.

Seattle trailed late against Texas, but the stadium remained packed.

The sellout crowd of 45,817 got a treat when Martinez started the ninth inning at third base. He stayed in for one pitch, leaving to a standing ovation when Willie Bloomquist took the field.

Martinez played his entire career with Seattle, signing in December 1982 and making his major league debut Sept. 12, 1987.

``You've helped me achieve my desire to play my whole career with the greatest city in the whole country -- Seattle,'' Martinez told the front office.

Mariners fans adore Ichiro Suzuki, the Japanese superstar who set the major league single-season hits record this year, but it's still Martinez's town -- at least for one more game.

``You've never heard anybody say a bad word about Edgar Martinez, and in this game that's almost impossible,'' manager Bob Melvin said before the game.