Chito Martínez
| Chito Martínez | |
|---|---|
 Martínez in 1988 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: December 19, 1965 Belize City, Belize | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 5, 1991, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| April 20, 1993, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Games played | 158 |
| Batting average | .259 |
| Home runs | 18 |
| Teams | |
Reyenaldo Ignacio "Chito" Martínez (born December 19, 1965) is a former Major League Baseball player and the first in MLB history to be born in the country of Belize.
Career
[edit]Born in Belize City, he emigrated to New Orleans with his family at two years old. After struggling in the minors, he contemplated going into business with his father whose company sells and services and air conditioners.[1] Martinez played minor league baseball for the Kansas City Royals organization, but never came close to the major leagues with them. The outfielder was signed to the Baltimore organization in the winter of 1990. By July 1991, Martinez had the most home runs in the International League (20) and he was called up from the Class AAA Rochester Red Wings to the Orioles.[2]
He spent parts of three seasons (1991 to 1993) with the Baltimore Orioles, hitting 13 home runs in his rookie season and posting a slugging percentage of .514 in 216 at bats. He was also the first Orioles player to record a hit in each of his first six MLB games.[3] It would be the high point of his career. After his power dropped dramatically in 1992, Martínez quickly faded away. He appeared in eight games in 1993 before leaving the major leagues.
Personal
[edit]Martinez has a son who plays minor league baseball. Drew Martinez attended the University of Memphis. He was selected by the New York Mets in the 2010 MLB draft after his sophomore year, but returned to Memphis for another year. He was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 10th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft and played in the minor leagues from 2011 to 2016.[4][5]
References
[edit]- ^ Eisenberg, John (August 16, 1991). "Chito Martinez proves doubters wrong". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ Schmuck, Peter (July 6, 1991). "Team reaches Whitt's end, Chito Martinez brought up". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
- ^ "1992 Upper Deck baseball card # 672".
- ^ Rohan, Tim. "Cape League Spotlight: Drew Martinez, Brewster". Cape Cod Times. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
- ^ "Martinez, Locante first Memphis-area players drafted in MLB draft". The Memphis Commercial Appeal. June 7, 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
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- 1965 births
- Living people
- People from Belize City
- Baltimore Orioles players
- Major League Baseball right fielders
- Major League Baseball players from Belize
- Brother Martin High School alumni
- Eugene Emeralds players
- Fort Myers Royals players
- Memphis Chicks players
- Omaha Royals players
- Rochester Red Wings players
- Bowie Baysox players
- Columbus Clippers players
- Colorado Springs Sky Sox players
- Belizean emigrants to the United States
- Belizean sportspeople stubs
- Baseball right fielder stubs