Ol' Man Edgar

By Paul Wysard

Fans of the Mariners and of Edgar Martinez were surely pleased when the 40-year-old ultra-professional hitter delayed retirement for at least one more season. While you are reading this, Martinez is probably working out in a gym or stroking balls in a batting cage, constantly committed to staying in shape, ever aware that slacking will result in penalties against an athletic body entering its fifth decade. Such penalties could include significant decreases in offensive numbers we will look at shortly, but perhaps more important, denial of certain very commendable career mileposts. He needs just three homers to reach 300, only two RBIs to attain 1,200 and 102 for 1,300. 76 runs scored will leave him at 1,250 and 131 hits or more would mean 2,250 and beyond. One suspects that he would not suit up if he did not believe he could perform at the levels suggested, including the maintenance of a .315 lifetime batting average. If questioned, he will probably not talk about such subjects, preferring to meld in with his team in a unified attempt to bring Seattle back into post-season play. If Bret Boone continues his excellent run production, if John Olerud can return to his fine batting standards, and if newcomer Raul Ibanez hits as well or better than he has elsewhere, Edgar will have the support needed to have it both ways by October. Many followers hope so.

Since 1990, only three players in the Major Leagues have: (1) Won a batting title, and (2) Averaged, over 6 or 7 consecutive campaigns: .300 or better, 28 or more homeruns 100 or more RBI, 100 or more runs scored, and 100 or more walks. They are Frank Thomas, Barry Bonds, and... Edgar Martinez.

Also, since 1990, OPS (On-base percentage plus Slugging percentage) has become viewed as an important statistic, interestingly and deservedly so. Over the years 1995 through 2001, Martinez was clocked at over 1.000, a remarkably fat figure. Since then, he has dipped to slightly less than .900, but who wouldn't want someone like that? He is technically superior still -- left shoulder tucked, blandly gazing at pitch release, whack!

Five years after he retires - whenever that might be - he will be on the Hall of Fame ballot. He won't be elected. He didn't play a lot until his late- twenties, and he wasn't in the field much after age 35, but he remains one of the premier hitters of the late 20th Century.