Tino Martinez
A first-round pick by Seattle, Tino Martiez germinated in the Mariners' system for a few seasons before blooming relatively late at the age of 27 in 1995 when he belted 31 homers and drove in 111 runs. After being swapped to the Yankees in one of the Mariners worst trades, Tino gained a loyal Bronx following thanks in large part to his five 100-RBI seasons in pinstripes. Utilizing a compact left-handed swing, Martinez belted more than 330 homers in his career, which also featured nine post-season homers.
Played For
Seattle Mariners (1990-1995)
New York Yankees (1996-2001)
St. Louis Cardinals (2002-2003)
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2004)
New York Yankees (2005)
Minor League Experience
As was somewhat their pattern in the 1980s and early 1990s, the Mariners kept the talented Tino Martinez in their minor league system too long. He twice won Minor League Player of the Year Award honors before finally getting a real chance to play at the major league level.
All-Time Rankings
Tino Martinez ranks #39 among the Top 50 all-time at 1B. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1997
He slugged 44 homers and drove in 141 runs for the Bombers.
Factoids
On September 17, 2005, Tino Martinez was one of five players with at least 300 career home runs to appear in the game for the Yankees. The others were Jason Giambi, Alez Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield and Ruben Sierra. This was the first time five 300-homer players had played in the same game for the same team.
Born
Constantino Martinez was born on December 7, 1967, in Tampa, FL.
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
Primary Position: 1B
Primary Team: SEA
College: Tampa
Major League Debut
August 20, 1990
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1990
Luis Gonzalez
Frank Thomas
Tino Martinez
Mike Bordick
Moises Alou
Todd Hundley
Mark Leiter
Ray Lankford
Jeff Conine
Similar Players
Lee May, statistically at least.
Related Players
Jeff Nelson and Russ Davis were involved in the deal that sent Martinez to the Yankees.
Post-Season Appearances
1995 American League Championship Series
1995 American League Divisional Series
1996 American League Championship Series
1996 World Series
1996 American League Divisional Series
1997 American League Divisional Series
1998 World Series
1998 American League Divisional Series
1998 American League Championship Series
1999 World Series
1999 American League Championship Series
1999 American League Divisional Series
2000 World Series
2000 American League Divisional Series
2000 American League Championship Series
2001 American League Divisional Series
2001 American League Championship Series
2001 World Series
2002 National League Divisional Series
2002 National League Championship Series
2005 American League Divisional Series
Feats
In 1995, Martinez batted safely in 14 consecutive games in late July and early August, the longest such streak of his career.
Home Run Facts
Martinez hit 318 homers as a first baseman, 19 as a designated hitter, and two as a pinch-hitter... His most common victims were Alex Fernandez and Estaban Loaiza... He slugged 11 grand slams... He hit 99 homers in Yankee Stadium and 49 in the Kingdome.
All-Star Selections
1995 AL
1997 AL
Learn More about Tino Martinez
Search Amazon.com for Books about Tino Martinez ⇒
Search for Tino Martinez at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
