Seattle Mariners: Top 50 players of all time
By Nick Lee
2. Edgar Martinez (1987-2004)
Edgar Martinez: his name is synonymous with Seattle Mariners baseball. Arguably the best player not in the Hall of Fame at the moment (I predict that will change within two years).
There is an award named after him. The “Edgar Martinez Award” is awarded to the best designated hitter in baseball.
His first full season was in 1990, when he hit .302 and walked more than he struck out, with 27 doubles in 144 games. He only got better from there.
Martinez posted 10 .300+ average seasons, with his best statistical season coming in 2000. He destroyed his previous career-high with 37 home runs and an American League-leading 145 RBI.
He also hit .324 with a .423 on-base percentage. He posted a career offensive WAR of 66.4, which is better than any other Mariner ever (yes, even Griffey).
Martinez collected 2,247 hits, which is second only to Ichiro in Seattle history. He is the Mariners’ all-time leader in runs scored (1,219), games played (2,055), on-base percentage (.418) and RBI (1,261).
He has endeared himself to fans as he only wore one uniform his entire 18-year career, and was a part of every Mariners postseason run. He is perhaps most known for his famous double and the call by the great Dave Niehaus, clinching the 1995 ALDS and putting them in the American League Championship Series.
Not enough can be said about what Martinez has done for the organization. In fact, he continues to contribute as the hitting coach, with players like Robinson Cano and Mark Trumbo attributing recent success to his tutelage.
Better still, the Mariners finally announced that Martinez’s #11 will be retired on August 12 of this season. His number will take its rightful place next to number one on this list…