Other Sports
Seattle's Martinez announces retirement
By The Source
Aug 9, 2004

Edgar Martinez announced at a press conference on Monday that he will retire from the Seattle Mariners at the end of the 2004 season. His retirement will bring to a close the career of Major League Baseball's top all-time designated hitter.

Martinez ranks first on the career designated hitters charts in batting average, home runs and RBI. Overall, in 18 seasons and 2,013 games, the 41-year-old Martinez owns a .312 average with 1,203 runs, 1,244 RBI, 510 doubles and 305 home runs. He also has 104 more walks than strikeouts in 7,060 at-bats.

He is the Mariners' all-time leader in batting average, hits, doubles, walks and games played. The 1992 and 1995 American League batting champion, Martinez has hit over .300 in 10 different seasons.

"This is a difficult moment for me, but it's also an exciting moment," said Martinez. "I'm looking forward to the future and a new chapter in my life. I hope the Mariners in the future with new teams will bring a World Series to this great city."

In 2004, Martinez owns a .258 batting average with eight home runs and 46 runs batted in.

He also has significant experience in postseason play. He hit .375 in four division series and .156 in three league championship series. The Mariners are yet to win an AL pennant.

Martinez appeared in seven All-Star games with two hits in 12 at-bats, including a home run. His most recent action in the Midsummer Classic came at the 2003 edition in Chicago.

Originally from New York, NY, Martinez has played his entire career with Seattle, including the 2001 season that saw the Mariners post an all-time AL-best 116 wins. Among current players, only Barry Larkin of the Cincinnati Reds has played more consecutive seasons with his original club.

Martinez was initially signed by Seattle as a non-drafted free agent on December 19, 1982. His major league debut came on September 12, 1987 as a pinch-runner.

Martinez's contract expires at the 2004 season. The Mariners reside in last place in the AL West with a 41-70 record.