How a Factory Worker from Puerto Rico became the Greatest DH in Baseball History

Creator: Matt
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The Seattle Mariners have been fortunate enough to have several MLB legends play a good portion of their careers for the franchise. Ken Griffey Jr, Randy Johnson, Ichiro, and of course, Edgar Martinez. Edgar was finally inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019, which was final year of eligibility, ending a 9 year streak of being unable to reach the necessary vote threshold. In this video, Matt takes a look at one of Cooperstown's most underappreciated members and talks about Edgar's journey from his childhood in Puerto Rico, to becoming the greatest designated hitter in Major League Baseball history!
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - 0:27 Introduction
0:28 - 1:15 Locker Room
1:16 - 3:52 Journey to The Show
3:53 - 6:05 Edgar Saves Baseball in Seattle
6:06 - 8:33 MLB’s Greatest Designated Hitter
8:34 - 10:11 Conclusion
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Soundtrack - • Edgar Martinez
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[@willvintage3505]

Dave Niehaus said it best; "The most beloved of all Mariners" Junior and Ichiro were better players. But 'Gar was the heart and soul of the team. Child M's fans still know of and love him.

[@thomaslemon3971]

⁠@@EdwardNigma48333934 All very well said sir. When you get into the sabermetrics, it becomes clear how unbelievable he really was. Almost like a right handed Tony Gwynn at the plate. I honestly believe he would be THE greatest hitter of all time if he wasn’t born with his eye condition. People don’t realize how much work he had to do to keep his eye from wandering, and sometimes he still had to step out of the way and take a strike when his eye momentarily crapped out on him. Without that handicap, I have zero doubt he would’ve been a .400 hitter, even during an era of roided-out monster pitchers. I’m probably super biased but I just love Edgar Martinez and the way his mind worked. Highly highly recommend reading his autobiography if you haven’t already!

[@gamerk316]

I'll tell you, as a Yankee fan, the hitter on those stacked Seattle teams we didn't want up with the game on the line, wasn't K-Griff, wasn't A-Rod, it was Edgar Martinez. That guy knew how to hit, simple as that.

[@gingerbreadman1969]

The sweetest compliments are always from the opponent, so thank you for that nod to The 'Gar, Daniel 👍😎

[@jonathancurbelo9155]

Bro, I'm telling you, this channel so underrated, Edgar Martinez is a Legend, and a video on Puerto Rican Baseball would be super interesting

[@StarkRavingSports]

Matt and Zach are making a video on Puerto Rican baseball as part of their international baseball series. There’s been some production issues but it should be out in the near future!

[@jonathancurbelo9155]

@@StarkRavingSports Wow, that’s going to be awesome!

[@theb.a.r.strategy7254]

Puerto Rican sports rock all around, so I'm sure baseball is no exception!

[@Pablo-xy3lo]

@Stark Raving Sports wooo lets gooooo

[@danieltravis5082]

Edgar is not only one of the best right handed hitters of all time, he's also one of the greatest human beings. He means so much to so many people. There's a reason why he has a street named after him.

[@userloco99]

His first full season at age 27!!!! and he still makes the Hall Of Fame, That's crazy.

[@BaseballHistorian]

Between this video and Jon Bois’ series, this past year has been a glut of great content for Seattle Mariners fans.

[@StarkRavingSports]

Throw Sadman’s Mariner video and Foolish Baseball’s Felix Hernandez video in there too. Everybody loves the Mariners

[@BaseballHistorian]

@@StarkRavingSports For sure! I knew I was missing some

[@courtneyvaldez7903]

One of the greatest right handed hitters of all time. Period.

[@MeneTekelUpharsin]

He was the last right handed hitter since Joe DiMaggio to win two batting tittles.

[@DannyECO7]

He's a class act. I was so happy he finally got in the Hall in 2019.

[@ellandecampbell6279]

Considering how much he owned Mariano Rivera, it's actually kinda fitting that they went in together

[@Seaseahawks57]

I was there! Mariners fans were loudest!

[@shermanngjazz]

UrinatingTree: "Look everyone, Edgar Martinez! He's gonna teach hitting and shit!"

[@jacobm4444]

I grew up in Washington state and my dad would tell me stories on how Edgar would write different numbers on baseballs have say the number as he hit them from a machine set in the 90’s. There are so many Edgar legends in Washington.

[@nothing2seehere.goaway]

Edgar set the standard of excellence for DHs. It is a fitting tribute that the award bears his name. A genuine, humble person that played the game with respect and loyalty. 🇵🇷❤

[@qfmarsh64]

I've heard Dave Niehaus' call of that '95 walkoff a thousand times. Still gives me chills. I may never have wanted a team I otherwise had no compelling rooting interest in to win a series so badly.

[@cammriggs]

i live near seattle and love all the teams in the seattle area. edgar is without a doubt my favorite seattle athlete of all time. his story and his heart was so amazing we loved him. ask mariano rivera who the toughest hitter he ever faced was and he said edgar. unbelievable man.

[@cameronroberts5461]

Hey, you are stealing my name!

[@itzdavid7714]

For me it’s kam chancellor or Shaun Alexander

[@theoregonguy]

One of my favorite players of all time, I was ecstatic when he officially became a Hall of Famer.

[@Karmy.]

I was too after years of believing he should've been in the Hall

[@davidmartinez52420]

He should've been in the Hall years ago. I believe they only let him in because of David Ortiz. Can't use the "but he was just a DH" bullshit with Big Papi. It's a shame that that's what it took to get Edgar in somewhere be should've already been.

[@jacobjones5269]

A designated hitter in the hall of fame.. Fucking sacrilege..

[@3SailorMartin]

@@jacobjones5269 the designated hitter position is an important one and though it is usually used by many different players during a season it speaks well of a player that they are the "designated hitter" consistently throughout the season as it says your bat is crucial to our lineup even if you can't play (for whatever reason) another position.

[@jacobjones5269]

@@3SailorMartin Explain to me how it’s important?!.. lololol.. Because you don’t wanna see the pitcher hit?.. There have been PALENTY of dudes like Edgar, who hit .300 but couldn’t crack a lineup because they couldn’t field..

[@ryangale3757]

Gotta say, he really looks the part of 'just a regular guy', has that earnest down-to-Earth feel to him. Love it, shame he was before my time.

[@ronaldwayne7092]

Thank you for getting the reason that Edgar became a DH correct. A lot of people have edited history to make him a bad defensive 3B.

[@KTF0]

I remember him being very good defensively. Just the turf era destroys guys.

[@aaronsanborn4291]

He was a above average defender. His arm wasn't a cannon but his throws were accurate. He was definitely not a detriment on defense

[@originalsyphonX]

One of the highlights of my life was meeting him a few years ago. He was so sweet to my son, though my son was a little shy. '95 was amazing. As a Mariner fan it doesn't get any better then Game 5 ALDS and Edgar's double. I still get goosebumps every time I hear Dave's call.

[@HateTaxesWASt]

The Neihaus call *ALWAYS* gives me chills

[@SergeantRoosters]

I almost cry every time i hear one

[@SergeantRoosters]

Nah i cry

[@joshoakley5101]

Props for the dave niehaus call. Probably most iconic call in seattle sports history. As a Mariners fan, I can confidently say it’s the best in baseball history.

[@_Heng_]

"easily one of the greatest athletes Seattle has ever seen." now that's a massive understatement.

[@MaxyTanks14]

You mean overstatement

[@ajm2475]

@@MaxyTanks14 He essentially means he’s one of the greatest sports figures in Seattle which he is.

[@tobertitus]

I’d say it’s a very adequate assessment

[@johnm9156]

How is that an understatement. . ? Isn't it just a correct statement?

[@shermanngjazz]

I would say it's a correct statement because Seattle still has Russell Wilson, Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, and of course, Ichiro.

[@OzymandiasWasRight]

Edgar Martinez was the heart and soul of one of the most loved baseball teams in sports history. "The Double" is the greatest moment in sports ive ever seen. He saved our team.

[@matsmiddy869]

I’ve been a Mariners fan and was on the frontline while people dismissed Edgar for his mainly DH play. The hitting still counts and he was one of the best to do it.

[@joshuapatrick682]

I live in a baseball no man’s land but one summer day in New York in 2003 When I was 18 I got to see Seattle play in the Bronx, they won the game. Only Major league game I’ve ever been to. Martinez was the one guy in that lineup everyone was terrified of in the tough light of his career and watching the fielders shift when he went to the plate was something special..

[@toiletfarm]

I grew up in the PNW watching those really good Mariner teams. I was an A's fan, so I got to see my team play a lot because of it, but watching Griffey, Martinez, and A-Rod was a treat as a child.

[@SkilesHasFun]

At least the Mariners are relevant in the internet sports fan community.

[@TheTEN24]

That familia line cracked me up. Martinez was really good man. What a crazy and impressive career

[@eddierivera1860]

Edgar Martinez best DH ever!

[@jayknowles1520]

I just remember playing video games on season mode and edgar martinez was a must to have on the team for years!

[@aguapalosgallo8186]

Great hitter , great person, not many know or remember he was a good defensive 3rd before the injuries

[@BaseballQuotes1]

Edgar was a beast. Happy to see him get some love here!

[@slabpanda]

One of the greatest “what if‘s” in baseball history in my opinion is, what if the Mariners had been able to keep Jr, Johnson, and ARod while adding Ichiro and the pieces of that 01 team they didn’t get during the Jr trade. How good could those early 2000’s Mariners teams have been with all that talent coalescing together at the same time?

[@CharmCityGamer]

Imagine if the Mariners never traded David Ortiz...

[@shermanngjazz]

UrinatingTree: "At least Jose Cruz didn't turn into anything much. Unlike this David Ortiz guy, now where the f have I heard that name before?"

[@WillsRailfanning]

Then one of them would have to play the field, it wouldve been hilarious to watch

[@hirshja]

@@WillsRailfanning when he was younger Papi was actually a really good 1st baseman

[@IdliAmin_TheLastKingofSambar]

@@hirshja Back when he was Small Papi. 😆

[@CharmCityGamer]

@@shermanngjazz Ah good stuff.

[@ekinjtizll]

Wow! Dude great job on this video. I’m a life long (41yrs) M’s fan and you hit this out of the park.(yes pun intended). For not knowing anything about Gar you really explained his career and story unbelievably well. Great job 👏 And thanks for letting me relive the good old days when the Mariners were not a dumpster fire!

[@StarkRavingSports]

Thanks Joshua! Really appreciate the kind words and thank you for watching

[@justmetal227]

Makes me so proud as being a rican myself Puerto Rico is full of wonderful talentful people

[@kevin7151]

Great video from a new subscriber. The mans accomplishments were awesome on and off the field. Thanks for putting this out there for us viewers

[@chriskeck3689]

Absolutely a Hall of Famer! What a hitter!

[@GasGotti]

Incredible video. So good seriously thank you.

[@JusNoBS420]

You have that 1995 Yankees series backwards. I was a 13 year kid with my dad for the playoffs. Game 1&2 in Seattle. Game 3&4 in the Bronx. Which made game 5 so incredible. Still get goose bumps remembering being in the stands. For the whole playoffs

[@evergreenrider]

I was also at all the home games that series. Such an amazing experience. That place was going bonkers

[@RileyMerlino]

Incorrect. The first two games were in New York and the last three were in Seattle. My parents were at game 4 and my uncle was at game 5

[@Kubr1ck66]

3:50 I see a guy applauding the home run, who I played ball with in Babe Ruth when we were 13. Bob Wolcott. He pitched and won game 1 of the ALCS that year as well.

[@skiprockjr.6881]

I predicted exactly how the Bottom of the 11th in 1995 ALDS was going to play out during the middle of the 11th while watching the game with a Yankees fan. It was hilarious. The only thing I was a little off on was Cora's bunt single was down the 1st base line and not the 3rd base line. But I got Griffey's single up the middle and Martinez's game-winning double down the left field line exactly right.

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

I’m sure you did

[@maxpagliano9065]

great video man!

[@user-cv8qe9ru8c]

I visited Cooperstown in 2018, year before he got in wish it happened sooner would have love to have gotten to see his plaque, always really liked Edgar Martinez

[@yukiloho]

“The Mariners have never made the playoffs without Martinez” -Cries in Ichiro and Felix

[@97NikeSb]

I wouldn’t doubt David Ortiz gets in first ballot while Edgar had to wait a decade.

[@jollyredjoker7682]

Papi had to soar so Big Papi could walk

[@asher2102]

Probably because Edgar never got the recognition he deserved, playing for a medium sized market in the upper corner of the country. Ortiz played in a huge media market and got way more attention, but that didn’t necessarily make him a better player

[@97NikeSb]

@@asher2102 exactly. The numbers speak for themselves but the people on the east coast were too lazy to even bother to tape west coast games since games would end past midnight live since it is there job to cover sports.

[@brandonwilliams8926]

You killed this video! Keep it up

[@CustomizedUsername]

When him and Griffey Jr were both on the team, the Mariners had the prettiest left AND right handed swings in all of baseball.

[@furioussherman7265]

Stark Raving Sports: Edgar Martinez was the best DH in history. Big Papi: *Am I a joke to you?*

[@janellemaynait]

My favorite Mariner

[@MeneTekelUpharsin]

If you ever wondered, "Was Edgar actually that good?" Edgar was the second right handed hitter since Joe DiMaggio to win two batting tittles!

[@ricardoortiz-diaz8312]

Very interesting story!

[@diego5567]

Bro ur vids r fire. Btw could you make a vid on Venezuelan baseball and some of its greatest players

[@ritadel3929]

I cant believe it. Hes my favorite player and hes my grandmas cousin what a legend! I talked to Carmelo martinez he said he will give me edgars number. He never did.

[@DwayneIsK1NG]

If you haven't watched the Jon Bois video on the Mariners, PLEASE watch it. It's an amazing series and shows just HOW much of a weird/amazing franchise history that they have

[@shoukatsukai]

Pretty sure everyone here's seen it lol

[@DwayneIsK1NG]

@@shoukatsukai yeah I figure, but it's still a niche kinda series so I just wanted to get as much to watch it as possible since it is such a great series

[@arnarninson4413]

Great Memories!!!! as a M's fan

[@brendentrobough5744]

My idol growing up. I did everything I could to model my swing after him.

[@jeffbilling2515]

Locker room banter!!!

[@axelagosto5196]

My father coaching him like a couple of year he signed with the Mariners grest kid worked night shift and the next day played.

[@itzwaffledude7373]

If this guy was on the Mets he prob would have been a bust immediately

[@jcearnhardt393]

Well he wasn't a met so stfu

[@itzwaffledude7373]

@@jcearnhardt393 holy crap chill it’s just a joke

[@JusNoBS420]

EDDDD.....GGGGAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

[@lockofire25]

Happy he is finally in the HOF

[@Gtasplayer]

So Yermin Mercedes of the 90s

[@yeaaa2671]

yes yes yes yes a mariners video

[@runrin_]

if you want us to read any of the text you put on the screen, you need to leave it up for about twice as long. maybe try highlighting the most relevant part too. :) great video, ty

[@BammyBanchez]

I still cant believe im 20 and I have never seen the Mariners make the playoffs. The AL west is so tough and they havent been the same since Martinez and Griffey left

[@gabrspanksmen]

3:07 that was so mean but it is also 100% true

[@Ryguy-lg2xz]

I was at the game we retired edgers number in 2017 :)

[@MarquisdeSuave]

Best designated hitter? You can make a great case that Martinez was the best hitter from 95-03 period. Considering that the other players from this time period had downturns in their career (Griffey, Thomad or Belle) or were involved with PED's that vastly inflated their numbers (Bonds, etc, etc) Id stay with Martinez over any of them. He basically put up numbers like a righty, prime-Mattingly and did so while improving almost every season well into his late 30's.

[@Jamesdylandean]

I admired Griffey and Randy Johnson, but I loved Edgar!

[@CJQ19]

Have you done a video on Dan Uggla ?

[@TheKill678]

It’s hard being a Mariners fan

[@fryncyaryorvjink2140]

Hmm... maybe I'll go try out too

[@LancerJak]

Try to jam him with heat, whatever, quickest hands ever and just flips it to left or gone. Trying to throw junk away, stupid, effortless flick of his wrists and the ball splits the gap. This sounds crazy, best way to get him out, down the middle cookies and hope he pops it up or hits on the ground. Being cute to Edgar just plays to his strengths.

[@hectorlugo9671]

My fucken dude... Seattle great E.M.... MR. double ,double

[@kevineiford2153]

I remember in an old Mariners broadcast them saying that Edgar would set a pitching machine to 200 mph, have it pitch baseballs with different numbers painted onto them, and call out the numbers as the balls were thrown as a training exercise. Can any other M's fan confirm this?

[@Bxdarealest]

Stand up guy. Wish I was a fan in that era

[@josephD32]

One guy: "Edgar..." The rest of the crowd "Eeeeeedgar..."

[@TheManny717]

@ 0:28 - It's EDT, not EST, as we set our clocks forward one hour. You know I'm right. Also, nice vid on Edgar as he deservingly got the HOF after waiting in the ballot for a long damn time!!!!!

[@srsmatt7272]

I’ve been on this earth for 22 years, almost have a Masters degree, and honestly had no clue what the difference was between EDT and EST Thanks!

[@TheManny717]

@@srsmatt7272 - when we set our 🕰 forward one hour, we change from standard time to daylight time. I’ve been on earth for nearly thirty and just got my bachelor’s degree. 😂 Still a fan of your channel.

[@fefetron]

My father, who is a life long baseball fan, say Edgar have one of the most, mechanically speaking, greatest swing of all baseball.

[@WillsRailfanning]

“Edgar Martinez is mlb’s greatest DH” David Ortiz and Frank Thomas: “are we a joke to you?”

[@MaxyTanks14]

I think just Ortiz is better then Edgar , but yeah Edgar is great, but not the best

[@mrmajikjr]

Yes

[@scoots2713]

Ortiz was such a beast

[@bradkirchhoff3751]

Give me Edgar over both any day of the week. Ortiz only has power. He has no speed. He has no baserunning awareness. Frank Thomas was not the all around hitter Edgar was either and I was a HUGE BIG HURT fan...Edgar is easily the best DH of all time.

[@noahmaruyama335]

Honestly, you can make an argument for any of the three, although Ortiz played by far the. most games by # and % at DH. I’d give the edge to Thomas on pure WAR/stats, possibly Martinez on a rate basis and because he’s more of a strict DH than Frank. Ortiz is in a bit of a trickier spot, being objectively a hair behind Edgar as far as batting stats. Not to mention the PED allegations for Big Papi. Shouldn’t disqualify him from the HOF or anything, in my opinion, but should probably at least be a handicap in “best ever” discussions.

[@GotDamBoi]

I actually remember that Edgar commercial lol and now I feel old.

[@ewartsmith7490]

3:52 The Rubber 😳

[@MaxyTanks14]

Idea for next vid. David Ortiz, The Goat of DH’s

[@durkadurka1926]

They already did a video for the goat DH, Edgar Martinez.

[@MaxyTanks14]

@@durkadurka1926 iDC he ain’t the greatest DH, Ortiz is, or he could make a vid called David Ortiz, King of Clutch

[@MaxyTanks14]

@@durkadurka1926 but here see what you are saying, you can’t have two greatest DHs

[@Peterson404]

Ayo my man

[@jaybrown4526]

The greatest Mariner EVER!!

[@logandetwiler4483]

Greatest hall of famer for the Mariners

[@tylerengstrom9051]

To anyone that forgets...David Ortiz was in the Mitchell report back in the day for positive test for steriods...

[@notoriouseagle1074]

No he wasn't. That was in 2007, the report linking Ortiz was 09. Besides, everybody was doing PED's and it was legal until 2005.

[@Minivanmusician]

But great vid and player.

[@damianlillard1981]

Did you forget Jeurys Familia was on the A’s in between his tenures with the Mets?

[@nikbol43below]

Weird to think that his and Ichiro's Seattle careers overlapped when they occupy such different points in Seattle Mariners history.

[@gringobronx7670]

I'm puerto rican and I like edgar but I do think that David ortiz surpassed him as the greatest DH ever

[@asher2102]

How? Even though Edgar didn’t play his first full season until age 27, all of his hitting stats are better. He has a better OPS and OPS+, and if you compare their stats from their primes edgar’s are better and it’s not even close. He has a higher baseball reference WAR too despite playing less seasons. Ortiz might have him beat in accumulative stats like hits home runs and RBI, but that’s only cause he played way more games in his career. Edgar is clearly the best DH ever and if you disagree you obviously haven’t done any research

[@gringobronx7670]

@@asher2102 well I disagree... You should be the one doing research....

[@asher2102]

@@gringobronx7670 if you actually read my reply (clearly you didn’t) I provided a lot of statistics and evidence for why I think Edgar was the better player. I’d like you to do the same, or else you just seem uneducated on the game of baseball and your opinion means nothing to me

[@gringobronx7670]

@@asher2102 exactly that's your thought not everybody thinks the same

[@kutz206]

@@gringobronx7670 what? His "thought" is based on facts while yours is based on opinion. David Ortiz is more popular because he played for the red Sox, but he was NOT better, and that's literally a fact. That's like saying Bernie Williams was better than Mike Trout because Bernie played for the championship Yankee team. Edgar was FAR better then Ortiz and it's not a debate

[@masonheiple1592]

If you guys like this video there’s one by secret base or sb nation that’s pretty interesting

[@anthonyvega6532]

I see edgar video i click

[@darkstar92772]

I used to be against a career DH getting into the HOF but if career closers are getting in I say why not?

[@OH_MY_DOGGG]

He liked to coil that bat a bit like Julio Franco.

[@BrightHornet936]

Same statement about familia can be said with Matt carpenter and Carlos Martinez

[@MrSpongemike44]

wasn't aware that David Ortiz ever worked at a factory in Puerto Rico

[@lukemccrory]

David Ortiz: Am I a joke to you?

[@mehlordwow459]

Edgar was better than ortiz -_-

[@Jesse-bb4qj]

5:36 thank you for using the radio broadcast of Dave Niehaus. Other channels falsely use the national broadcaster

[@owenanderson3425]

Are you guys doing brackets for March madness? (If so who do you have beating who in the finals?)

[@mustardtigerbaaaaaam]

More walks than strikeouts