SEATTLE MARINERS

Does Edgar belong in Cooperstown? The argument fires up again

Dec 10, 2012, 4:15 PM | Updated: 4:46 pm

Mariners great Edgar Martinez is on the ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame for the fourth straight year. (AP)

(AP)

Does Edgar Martinez belong in the Baseball Hall of Fame? It’s an argument that’s heating up again as voters start receiving their ballots for the class of 2013.

The beloved former Mariner is back on the ballot for the fourth straight year. He’s widely considered one the best hitters in recent decades, if not ever. But the big debate is whether he deserves the honor because he spent much of his storied career as a designated hitter.

“Edgar was very simply one of the top all-around hitters of his era,” says longtime Mariners director of public information Tim Hevly.

The team on Monday began a new push to back Martinez’s candidacy, sending out a news release touting his impressive credentials.

“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,” Hevly said.

Longtime Mariners beat reporter Shannon Drayer agrees that Martinez deserves a spot in Cooperstown. Drayer argues he was the dominant player at his position while he played, and the best of the best at any position merits entrance to the Hall.

“If Mariano Rivera is going to be in the Hall of Fame some day, then Edgar should be as well. He was that good at his position, a feared hitter in his day,” Drayer says.

“As for the thought with some voters that his career was too short, I would argue that he did more in his years than many in the Hall of Fame did in careers that were much longer. Edgar had as much on-base value over his career as Pete Rose, who played 10 years longer, did.”

Martinez’s lengthy resume includes two American League batting titles, three American League on-base percentage titles, five Silver Slugger Awards, seven All-Star game appearances and five Designate Hitter of the Year awards (an award now named in his honor.)

“Edgar is one of only 10 players in Major League history to have collected over 300 HR, 500-plus doubles, 1000-plus walks, boast an average over .300 and an on-base percentage over .400,” Hevly says.

Five of those 10 have been inducted in Cooperstown. Martinez finished his career with 2,247 hits, 514 doubles, 1,283 walks, 309 home runs, a .312 career batting average and a .418 career on-base percentage.

Drayer also argues that unlike some players like Ichiro who got many hits based on their speed, the less-than-speedy Martinez earned all his hits.

“His hits were hits. He was not beating out infield singles at any point in his career,” Drayer says.

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
High 54° | Low 41°
Roof is open
Red Sox at Mariners today at 7:10pm

Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger...

Mike Salk

Salk: Scars remain as Mariners return, but hope isn’t far away

As the Seattle Mariners return for 2024, Seattle Sports' Mike Salk writes about seasons, scars, frustration, hope and baseball.

12 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Bryce Miller Logan Gilbert Bryan Woo...

Brandon Gustafson

Dontrelle Willis: Mariners’ rotation provides ‘quality every single day’

Dontrelle Willis, a former MLB pitcher and current analyst for FOX Sports, gives his Seattle Mariners insight ahead of opening day.

16 hours ago

Seattle Mariners commercials Julio Rodríguez...

Brent Stecker

Latest Mariners commercial teams Julio up with a franchise icon

Add a new duo to the list of great pairings in Seattle Mariners commercials, with All-Star outfielder Julio Rodríguez joined by a team icon.

19 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh...

Shannon Drayer

Why Mariners hitters are embracing new approach to offense

The Seattle Mariners have new players, new coaches and new messaging for their offense. Based on spring training, it's all landing.

20 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Julio Rodriguez...

Brandon Gustafson

Passan: Mariners’ Rodríguez can take game to another level in 2024

The 2024 MLB season can be when we see "the absolute apex" of star Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez, ESPN's Jeff Passan said.

23 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Luis Castillo...

Brent Stecker

Mariners commercials are back, and they’re pretty good

After a four-year absence, Seattle Mariners commercials are back. Watch the first two starring Cal Raleigh and Luis Castillo here.

2 days ago

Does Edgar belong in Cooperstown? The argument fires up again