Chito Martínez
| Chito Martínez | |
|---|---|
 Martínez in 1988 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: December 19, 1965 Belize City, Belize | |
| Died: April 22, 2025 (aged 59) Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, U.S. | |
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 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Reyenaldo Ignacio "Chito" Martínez (December 19, 1965 – April 22, 2025) was a Belizean Major League Baseball player, the first in MLB history to be born in his country.
Career
[edit]Born in Belize City, Martínez 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 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 life
[edit]Martinez's son, Drew, played college ball at the University of Memphis and was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 10th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. He played in the minor leagues from 2011 to 2016.[4][5] He is currently the fundamentals coach Eugene Emeralds, the San Francisco Giants High-A affiliate.[6]
Another son, Dalton, played college baseball at Southern Polytechnic State University and is currently the hitting coach at Georgia State.[7]
Martinez died on April 22, 2025 in Lake Cormorant, Mississippi at the age of 59.
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.
- ^ "Eugene Emeralds Announce 2025 Coaching Staff". MiLB.com. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ "Dalton Martinez - Hitting Coach - Staff Directory". Georgia State University. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
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- 1965 births
- 2025 deaths
- 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