Piano Prodigy Jude Kofie to Headline Project Harmony’s 30th Anniversary Gala
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United States Edgar Martinez transitioned from a highly respected slugger to a Hall of Fame designated hitter and is now recognized as a hitting strategy coach.
Edgar Martinez is the CEO of The Martinez Foundation. His experience in professional baseball provided him with valuable insights that he applies to his philanthropic endeavors.
Edgar Martinez was the CEO of Branded Solutions by Edgar Martinez until 2010 when the company integrated with Image Source. He now serves on the board and remains active in the promotional merchandise company. He also co-founded Branded Solutions with executives from ImageSource in 2006.
The Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt Amrany, in partnership with the Seattle Mariners, honored Edgar 'Papi' Martinez with a bronze statue of his likeness. Additionally, the Mariners announced plans for 'Edgar's' restaurant at Safeco Field, a project Martinez was part of in partnership with hair salon mogul Gene Juarez.
Born in New York City on January 2, 1963, and raised in Dorado, Puerto Rico, Edgar Martinez developed an early passion for baseball, inspired by Roberto Clemente. He honed his skills playing with his cousin, Carmelo Martínez. In 1982, while attending Interamerican University of Puerto Rico and working two jobs, Martinez attended a tryout camp for the Seattle Mariners. Despite almost missing the tryout due to work fatigue, he was offered a $4,000 signing bonus and signed with the Mariners on December 12, 1982. Martinez then embarked on a seven-season journey through the minor leagues, playing for teams such as the Bellingham Mariners, Wausau Timbers, Chattanooga Lookouts, and Calgary Cannons, where he consistently demonstrated batting prowess despite initially struggling with English.
Martinez made his Major League Baseball debut on September 12, 1987, but did not establish himself as a full-time player until 1990. In 1992, he earned his first AL batting title with a .343 average, leading the league in doubles with 46, and was selected for his first All-Star Game. The 1995 season marked a significant turning point in his career when he became a full-time designated hitter and led the AL in batting average (.356), runs scored (121), doubles (52), and on-base percentage (.479). His iconic two-run double in Game 5 of the 1995 American League Division Series, famously known as “The Double,” secured a series win for the Mariners and is credited with galvanizing public support for baseball in Seattle.
Throughout his career, Martinez continued to achieve notable milestones, including leading the AL in RBIs with 145 in 2000 and earning five Silver Slugger Awards. In 2004, he retired, concluding an 18-year MLB career with a .312 batting average, 309 home runs, 2,247 hits, and 514 doubles. His legacy as a designated hitter was cemented when the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award was renamed the Edgar Martínez Award in his honor. In 2019, he was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, a recognition of his consistent excellence and profound impact on the game and the Seattle Mariners franchise. Post-playing career, Martinez has remained involved in baseball as a hitting coach and advisor for the Seattle Mariners, roles he has held from 2015-2018, and again in 2024.
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