Tino Martinez
Encyclopedia
Constantino "Tino" Martinez (born December 7, 1967 in Tampa, Florida
) is a former Major League Baseball
(MLB) first baseman
.
Martinez was the first round draft pick for the Seattle Mariners
in out of the University of Tampa
where he starred during his time on campus. He began his Major League career in and has played for the Mariners, New York Yankees
, St. Louis Cardinals
, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays
, and rejoined the Yankees in the season. During his 16-year MLB career, he scored 1,008 runs, drove in
1,271 runs, and hit 339 home run
s. He had 100 or more RBI in six different seasons and was twice named to the All-Star team
.
. His grandfather owned a small cigar factory in which Tino, his brothers, and childhood friend and fellow future major-leaguer Luis Gonzalez worked as young boys . Tino attended St. Joseph School in West Tampa until 8th grade, then attended Tampa Catholic High School
for 9th and 10th grade before transferring to Jefferson High School
for his final two years of high school
. After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Tampa
. All during his youth, Martinez excelled on various baseball squads from little league
all the way through college.
and Robin Ventura
, won a gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics
in Seoul
, South Korea
, the seventh time that baseball was part of the Olympic Games
and its last year as a demonstration sport
. In the final game, Martinez belted two homers and drove in four runs and Abbott pitched a complete game
, leading the USA to a 5-3 win.
against the New York Yankees.
Following that season, he was acquired in a trade by the New York Yankees, along with Jeff Nelson and Jim Mecir
, for Sterling Hitchcock
and Russ Davis
. Martinez was the key to the trade, as he was chosen as the successor for legendary Yankees first baseman and team Captain Don Mattingly
.
Martinez helped lead the New York Yankees to World Series
championships in , , , and . He also won the Home Run Derby
in 1997. Martinez hit two memorable home runs as a Yankee in the World Series
. The first came off Mark Langston
in Game 1 of the 1998 Series
. The Yankees had tied the game earlier in the inning with a Chuck Knoblauch
3-run home run. The following three batters got on base, and Martinez came to the plate. After taking a very close ball 3, he hit a grand slam into the upper deck on a 3-2 count, giving the Yankees a four run lead. The second came on October 31, 2001. With two outs in the 9th inning and the Yankees trailing by two runs, Martinez came to the plate with a runner on. He hit a home run to right center off Arizona Diamondbacks
closer Byung-Hyun Kim
. The feat was repeated the following night by Scott Brosius
. However, the Yankees would lose Games 6 and 7 and thus, the series.
His best season statistically came in , when he was second in the American League
in home runs and RBI (with 44 and 141 respectively), and finished second in AL Most Valuable Player voting. In 1998, he was hit in the upper back by Orioles pitcher Armando Benitez
, which resulted in a huge brawl between the two teams.
In the 2001 World Series
, Martinez's Yankees faced off against the Arizona Diamondbacks
. The series went to Game 7, which Arizona won when Luis Gonzalez, Martinez's best friend, hit a game winning single off Yankee closer Mariano Rivera
in the bottom of the 9th inning. Gonzalez later recalled that when he went back home to check his answering machine, the first message of congratulations was from Martinez.
During most of his time with the Yankees, Martinez resided in Tenafly, New Jersey
.
, Martinez went on to play for the St. Louis Cardinals
for two seasons, once again replacing an aging legendary first baseman, Mark McGwire
. His production during these three years declined, and he went through several prolonged slumps.
One of his most memorable moments during this tenure with the Cardinals came when he returned to Yankee Stadium during Interleague play
. An emotional Martinez was driven to tears when he went to bat as he was given a standing ovation by the Yankee fans who appreciated the integral part he played during the team's last dynastic run. In the second game of the three game series, Martinez hit 2 home runs off former teammate Andy Pettitte
to a loud thunderous ovation both times. The Yankee fans cheered him for a curtain call
, a rare occurrence in honor of a visiting team's player.
The Cardinals eventually traded Martinez to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays when they decided to have Albert Pujols
switch from left field to first base.
in where he was reunited with Lou Pinella. Martinez hit 23 home runs while serving as a mentor for the team's many young players. His family lived just minutes from the Tropicana Field
and he was popular with the Devil Rays fans.
Martinez returned for a second tour of duty with the Yankees for the 2005 season. From May 7, 2005 to May 11, 2005, Martinez hit 5 home runs in 5 straight games, which is one more than his previous record set from June 27, 2001 to July 1, 2001. While held homerless on May 12, 2005, Tino hit two homers on May 15 to give him 8 HR in 8 games. On November 8, 2005, the Yankees declined their $
3 million option on Martinez, making him a free agent. On Wednesday February 15, 2006 he officially decided to end his playing career. Martinez confirmed the decision in the St. Petersburg Times
, telling the paper that he will begin his broadcasting career at ESPN
. Martinez said that the offer from ESPN made his decision to retire a lot easier, as he would work on Baseball Tonight
, do some radio work, and broadcast a few games.
In his 16-year Major League career, Martinez hit .271
with 339 home runs and 1,271 RBIs. During his seven years with the Yankees
, he hit 192 home run
s and drove in 739 runs.
, Martinez agreed to be a special instructor for the Yankees to help their first basemen with defensive skills.
After Spring Training, he was named Special Assistant to the General Manager.
Starting in Spring Training 2010, Martinez became a color commentator for the YES Network
, replacing the departed David Cone
. He made his regular season debut on April 9, 2010, when he called a game between the Yankees and the Rays that was coincidentally played back in his home area of Tampa Bay
.
Prior to the 2004 Summer Olympics
Games, the host nation Greece
, trying to build up their chances of winning a medal, decided to put together team of North America
n baseball players of Greek
heritage. Martinez, having some Greek ancestry, was approached by the Greek Olympic team manager Rob Derksen
and asked to play for the host nation. Martinez, along with fellow MLB players Eric Karros and Aaron Miles
, declined the offer because the games were in the midst of the Major League Baseball
season.
The premiere of Yankeeography
: Tino Martinez appeared in early May 2006, on the YES Network
.
On April 2, 2007, Martinez received the 2007 Pride of The Yankees Award at the New York Yankees Homecoming Banquet.
In 2008, during the final season of the old Yankee Stadium, Tino Martinez participated in his first Old Timer's Day.
In a Yankees vs Orioles preseason game on March 13, 2010, it was mentioned by Yankees play-by-play announcer, Michael Kay, that Tino is a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
, and is also a season ticket holder.
Tino also participates annually in a golf tournament in Tampa.
Tino participated in the Yankees' 2011 Old Timer's Day on June 26, 2011, where he was given one of the loudest ovations. Tino came up to the plate during a scoreless game with his former teammate, Bernie Williams
on second base after hitting a double. Tino hit a 2 run homer off of former teammate David Cone
. The stadium erupted as Tino gave his team the lead just like old times. These were the only runs of the game and Tino once again led his team to victory as the Bombers defeated the Clippers 2-0.
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
) is a former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
(MLB) first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
.
Martinez was the first round draft pick for the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
in out of the University of Tampa
University of Tampa
The University of Tampa , is a private, co-educational university in Downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2006, the University celebrated its 75th anniversary...
where he starred during his time on campus. He began his Major League career in and has played for the Mariners, New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
, and rejoined the Yankees in the season. During his 16-year MLB career, he scored 1,008 runs, drove in
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
1,271 runs, and hit 339 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s. He had 100 or more RBI in six different seasons and was twice named to the All-Star team
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
.
Early life
Tino Martinez was born and raised in neighborhood of West Tampa in Tampa, FloridaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
. His grandfather owned a small cigar factory in which Tino, his brothers, and childhood friend and fellow future major-leaguer Luis Gonzalez worked as young boys . Tino attended St. Joseph School in West Tampa until 8th grade, then attended Tampa Catholic High School
Tampa Catholic High School
Tampa Catholic High School is a Diocesan, Catholic, coeducational high school located in Tampa, Florida, USA, founded in 1962. It is in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg. Its motto is "Veritas and Caritas," which means: "Truth and Charity."...
for 9th and 10th grade before transferring to Jefferson High School
Thomas Jefferson High School (Tampa, Florida)
Thomas Jefferson High School is a secondary school located in the heart of the Westshore Business District of Tampa, Florida. Thomas Jefferson High School is an Area 1 high school operated under the Hillsborough County Public School system.-School history:...
for his final two years of high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
. After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Tampa
University of Tampa
The University of Tampa , is a private, co-educational university in Downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2006, the University celebrated its 75th anniversary...
. All during his youth, Martinez excelled on various baseball squads from little league
Little League
Little League Baseball and Softball is a non-profit organization in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the U.S...
all the way through college.
1988 Olympics
Martinez, along with other future Major Leaguers Jim AbbottJim Abbott
James Anthony Abbott is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, who played despite having been born without a right hand. He played for the California Angels, the New York Yankees, the Chicago White Sox, and the Milwaukee Brewers, from 1989 to 1999.He graduated from Flint Central High School and...
and Robin Ventura
Robin Ventura
Robin Mark Ventura is the current manager of the Chicago White Sox. He is a former professional baseball player, a third baseman who played for four major league teams, most notably for the Chicago White Sox...
, won a gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, the seventh time that baseball was part of the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
and its last year as a demonstration sport
Demonstration sport
A demonstration sport is a sport which is played to promote itself, most commonly during the Olympic Games, but also at other sporting events.Demonstration sports were officially introduced in 1912 Summer Olympics, when Sweden decided to include glima, traditional Icelandic wrestling, in the...
. In the final game, Martinez belted two homers and drove in four runs and Abbott pitched a complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
, leading the USA to a 5-3 win.
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners drafted Martinez in . Martinez began his career playing under Lou Pinella, who had also grown up in the West Tampa neighborhood and knew his uncle and mother. Martinez had several mediocre seasons, but broke out in when he drove in 111 runs, hit 31 home runs and batted .293. The Mariners clinched the AL West and went on to play in the first season of divisional post season playDivision Series
In baseball, the Division Series is the official name for the first round of the Major League Baseball playoffs. Currently, a total of four series are played in this opening round, two each for both the American League and the National League.-1981 season:...
against the New York Yankees.
New York Yankees
Jim Mecir
James Jason Mecir is an American former baseball player. He played for five teams in an 11-year career, and retired from the Florida Marlins in . He was a right-handed pitcher....
, for Sterling Hitchcock
Sterling Hitchcock
Sterling Alex Hitchcock is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played from to , mostly with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres....
and Russ Davis
Russ Davis
Russell Stuart Davis is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who played for the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, and San Francisco Giants from 1994 to 2001. A highly touted prospect in the Yankee organization, he was packaged along with Sterling Hitchcock in a December 1995 trade for...
. Martinez was the key to the trade, as he was chosen as the successor for legendary Yankees first baseman and team Captain Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly
Donald Arthur "Don" Mattingly is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nicknamed "The Hit Man" and "Donnie Baseball", he played his entire 14-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
.
Martinez helped lead the New York Yankees to World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
championships in , , , and . He also won the Home Run Derby
Home Run Derby
The Home Run Derby is an event played prior to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It is a contest among the top home run hitters in Major League Baseball to determine who can hit the most home runs. The event is currently sponsored by State Farm Insurance...
in 1997. Martinez hit two memorable home runs as a Yankee in the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
. The first came off Mark Langston
Mark Langston
Mark Edward Langston is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched for the Seattle Mariners , Montreal Expos , California and Anaheim Angels , San Diego Padres , and Cleveland Indians...
in Game 1 of the 1998 Series
1998 World Series
The 1998 World Series, the 94th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, matched the New York Yankees against the San Diego Padres . The Yankees swept the Series in four games to capture their second championship in three years, and their 24th overall...
. The Yankees had tied the game earlier in the inning with a Chuck Knoblauch
Chuck Knoblauch
Edward Charles "Chuck" Knoblauch is a retired Major League Baseball player. He played all or part of twelve seasons in the majors, from until , for the Minnesota Twins , New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals...
3-run home run. The following three batters got on base, and Martinez came to the plate. After taking a very close ball 3, he hit a grand slam into the upper deck on a 3-2 count, giving the Yankees a four run lead. The second came on October 31, 2001. With two outs in the 9th inning and the Yankees trailing by two runs, Martinez came to the plate with a runner on. He hit a home run to right center off Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
closer Byung-Hyun Kim
Byung-Hyun Kim
Byung-Hyun Kim is a South Korean professional baseball pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball. He is best known for his years with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Boston Red Sox. In 2001, Kim took over mid-season as the Diamondbacks' closer and saved 19...
. The feat was repeated the following night by Scott Brosius
Scott Brosius
Scott David Brosius is a former Major League Baseball third baseman for the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees . Brosius is currently the head baseball coach at Linfield College, his alma mater....
. However, the Yankees would lose Games 6 and 7 and thus, the series.
His best season statistically came in , when he was second in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in home runs and RBI (with 44 and 141 respectively), and finished second in AL Most Valuable Player voting. In 1998, he was hit in the upper back by Orioles pitcher Armando Benitez
Armando Benítez
Armando Germán Benítez is a relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Baltimore Orioles:...
, which resulted in a huge brawl between the two teams.
In the 2001 World Series
2001 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 27, 2001 at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, ArizonaArizona showed no fear and chased Yankees starter Mike Mussina after just three innings. The Yankees gave up five unearned runs and the Diamondbacks rode Curt Schilling's seven strong innings to a 9–1 rout...
, Martinez's Yankees faced off against the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. The series went to Game 7, which Arizona won when Luis Gonzalez, Martinez's best friend, hit a game winning single off Yankee closer Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
in the bottom of the 9th inning. Gonzalez later recalled that when he went back home to check his answering machine, the first message of congratulations was from Martinez.
During most of his time with the Yankees, Martinez resided in Tenafly, New Jersey
Tenafly, New Jersey
Tenafly is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 14,488. Tenafly is an affluent suburb of New York City....
.
St. Louis Cardinals
After the season when the Yankees elected to sign Jason GiambiJason Giambi
Jason Gilbert Giambi is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball.He was the American League MVP in 2000 while with the Oakland Athletics, and is a five-time All-Star who has led the American League in walks four times, in on base percentage...
, Martinez went on to play for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for two seasons, once again replacing an aging legendary first baseman, Mark McGwire
Mark McGwire
Mark David McGwire , nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball player who played his major league career with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. He is currently the hitting coach for the St...
. His production during these three years declined, and he went through several prolonged slumps.
One of his most memorable moments during this tenure with the Cardinals came when he returned to Yankee Stadium during Interleague play
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...
. An emotional Martinez was driven to tears when he went to bat as he was given a standing ovation by the Yankee fans who appreciated the integral part he played during the team's last dynastic run. In the second game of the three game series, Martinez hit 2 home runs off former teammate Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...
to a loud thunderous ovation both times. The Yankee fans cheered him for a curtain call
Curtain call
A curtain call occurs at the end of a performance when individuals return to the stage to be recognized by the audience for their performance. In musical theater, the performers typically recognize the orchestra and its conductor at the end of the curtain call...
, a rare occurrence in honor of a visiting team's player.
The Cardinals eventually traded Martinez to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays when they decided to have Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
switch from left field to first base.
From home in Tampa to "home" in New York again
Martinez eventually returned to his hometown with the Tampa Bay Devil RaysTampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
in where he was reunited with Lou Pinella. Martinez hit 23 home runs while serving as a mentor for the team's many young players. His family lived just minutes from the Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field is a domed stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, which has been the home of Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays since the team's inaugural season in 1998, when they were the Devil Rays. It has also served as the host stadium for the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl, an NCAA-sanctioned college...
and he was popular with the Devil Rays fans.
Martinez returned for a second tour of duty with the Yankees for the 2005 season. From May 7, 2005 to May 11, 2005, Martinez hit 5 home runs in 5 straight games, which is one more than his previous record set from June 27, 2001 to July 1, 2001. While held homerless on May 12, 2005, Tino hit two homers on May 15 to give him 8 HR in 8 games. On November 8, 2005, the Yankees declined their $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
3 million option on Martinez, making him a free agent. On Wednesday February 15, 2006 he officially decided to end his playing career. Martinez confirmed the decision in the St. Petersburg Times
St. Petersburg Times
The St. Petersburg Times is a United States newspaper. It is one of two major publications serving the Tampa Bay Area, the other being The Tampa Tribune, which the Times tops in both circulation and readership. Based in St...
, telling the paper that he will begin his broadcasting career at ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
. Martinez said that the offer from ESPN made his decision to retire a lot easier, as he would work on Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight is a program that airs on ESPN. The show, which recapitulates the day's Major League Baseball action, has been on the air since 1990.-Air times:...
, do some radio work, and broadcast a few games.
In his 16-year Major League career, Martinez hit .271
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
with 339 home runs and 1,271 RBIs. During his seven years with the Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, he hit 192 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and drove in 739 runs.
Coaching and broadcasting
In 20082008 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:* Regular Season Champions* World Series Champions – Philadelphia Phillies** American League Champions – Tampa Bay Rays** National League Champions – Philadelphia Phillies* Postseason – October 1 to October 29...
, Martinez agreed to be a special instructor for the Yankees to help their first basemen with defensive skills.
After Spring Training, he was named Special Assistant to the General Manager.
Starting in Spring Training 2010, Martinez became a color commentator for the YES Network
YES Network
The Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network is a New York City-based, regional cable television channel; it broadcasts a variety of sports events, with an emphasis on New York Yankees baseball games, and New Jersey Nets basketball games. YES made its debut on March 19, 2002...
, replacing the departed David Cone
David Cone
David Brian Cone is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1986-2003 for six different teams. Cone pitched the sixteenth perfect game in baseball history. He also set the MLB record for most years between 20-win seasons. He was a member of five...
. He made his regular season debut on April 9, 2010, when he called a game between the Yankees and the Rays that was coincidentally played back in his home area of Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Area
The Tampa Bay Area is the region of west central Florida adjacent to Tampa Bay. Definitions of the region vary. It is often considered equivalent to the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area defined by the United States Census Bureau. The Census Bureau currently...
.
Prior to the 2004 Summer Olympics
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
Games, the host nation Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, trying to build up their chances of winning a medal, decided to put together team of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n baseball players of Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
heritage. Martinez, having some Greek ancestry, was approached by the Greek Olympic team manager Rob Derksen
Rob Derksen
Robert William Derksen was an American professional baseball pitcher, coach, manager and scout, who also was an influential figure in international baseball...
and asked to play for the host nation. Martinez, along with fellow MLB players Eric Karros and Aaron Miles
Aaron Miles
Aaron Wade Miles is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently a free agent.-Houston Astros:Miles was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 19th round of the 1995 amateur draft...
, declined the offer because the games were in the midst of the Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
season.
Life outside Major League Baseball
Tino has been married to the former Marie Prado since 1991. They have three children: Olivia, Tino Jr. (TJ), and Victoria. The family currently resides on Tampa's Davis Islands.The premiere of Yankeeography
Yankeeography
Yankeeography is a biography-style television program that chronicles the lives and careers of the players, coaches, and other notable personnel associated with the New York Yankees Major League Baseball team. The series is aired on the YES Network and is produced by MLB Productions . The series is...
: Tino Martinez appeared in early May 2006, on the YES Network
YES Network
The Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network is a New York City-based, regional cable television channel; it broadcasts a variety of sports events, with an emphasis on New York Yankees baseball games, and New Jersey Nets basketball games. YES made its debut on March 19, 2002...
.
On April 2, 2007, Martinez received the 2007 Pride of The Yankees Award at the New York Yankees Homecoming Banquet.
In 2008, during the final season of the old Yankee Stadium, Tino Martinez participated in his first Old Timer's Day.
In a Yankees vs Orioles preseason game on March 13, 2010, it was mentioned by Yankees play-by-play announcer, Michael Kay, that Tino is a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, and is also a season ticket holder.
Tino also participates annually in a golf tournament in Tampa.
Tino participated in the Yankees' 2011 Old Timer's Day on June 26, 2011, where he was given one of the loudest ovations. Tino came up to the plate during a scoreless game with his former teammate, Bernie Williams
Bernie Williams
Bernabé Williams Figueroa Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and Puerto Rican musician.-Early life:...
on second base after hitting a double. Tino hit a 2 run homer off of former teammate David Cone
David Cone
David Brian Cone is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1986-2003 for six different teams. Cone pitched the sixteenth perfect game in baseball history. He also set the MLB record for most years between 20-win seasons. He was a member of five...
. The stadium erupted as Tino gave his team the lead just like old times. These were the only runs of the game and Tino once again led his team to victory as the Bombers defeated the Clippers 2-0.
See also
- List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI