11 Days of Edgar: The Common Thread
Day 1: Seattle Icon
Day 2: Postseason Hero
Day 3: By the Numbers
Day 4: The Yankee Killer
Day 5: The Doubles
Day 6: Defining the DH Position
Day 7: One of the Game’s Greats
Day 8: Community All-Star
Day 9: The Batting Titles
For the better part of four decades, Edgar Martinez has been the Mariners constancy. He is the common thread that binds together the Mariners franchise history.
Since signing with the club in 1982, he has been a part of the organization for 36 of the 41 seasons of Mariners Baseball. 2017 marks Edgar’s 21st season in a Mariners uniform. After playing 18 Major League seasons with Seattle — the longest career of any Mariner —he has spent the past 3 seasons as the club’s hitting coach. Throughout each season with the Mariners since his Major League debut on September 12, 1987 vs. the White Sox, Edgar has worn №11 on his back.
The Teammates
During his 18-year career with the Mariners, Edgar was teammates with 364 different players. At the beginning of 2017, Edgar had played with 48 percent of all players who have appeared in at least 1 game with the Mariners.
Edgar’s career spanned from John Moses (1987) to John Olerud (2000–04), from Ken Phelps (1987–88) to Ken Griffey Jr. (1989–99) and Ken Griffey Sr. (1990–91), from Alvin Davis (1987–91) to Tim Davis (1994–97), Russ Davis (1996–99) and Ben Davis (2002–04), from Glenn Wilson (1988) and Jim Wilson (1989) to Dan Wilson (1994–2004).
Mariners Hall of Fame
On June 2, 2007, Edgar became the 4th member of the Mariners Hall of Fame, joining Alvin Davis, Dave Niehaus and Jay Buhner. Edgar was later joined in the Mariners Hall of Fame by Randy Johnson, Dan Wilson, Ken Griffey Jr., Lou Piniella and Jamie Moyer.
He was teammates with each of the other 6 players in the Mariners Hall of Fame while Niehaus provided the soundtrack every step of the way throughout Edgar’s big league career and Piniella skippered the Mariners for 10 of Edgar’s 18 seasons with Seattle.
“Thank you for allowing me to play my whole career in the greatest city, Seattle.” — Edgar Martinez, October 2, 2004
The Ballparks
Edgar played 639 career games at the Kingdome before moving to Safeco Field in 1999, where he appeared in 378 games.
He finished as the all-time leader in doubles (194) and walks (435) at the Kingdome while ranking 2nd in games (639), runs (417), hits (710) and extra-base hits (294).
Edgar doubled in the final game at the Kingdome (June 27, 1999) and singled in the first game at Safeco Field (July 15, 1999).
Edgar Martinez Weekend is set for August 11–13 when the Mariners host the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. The weekend-long celebration begins tonight with Bobblehead Night. Tomorrow, Edgar joins Ken Griffey Jr. in becoming the 2nd player in franchise history to have his number retired in a pre-game ceremony on Edgar Martinez Number Retirement Night. The festivities conclude with Edgar Martinez Replica Jersey Day this Sunday, August 13.
Edgar’s №11 will be retired in a pre-game ceremony tomorrow at Safeco Field. In the final installment of 11 Days of Edgar, we will look at the significance of Edgar and №11.
