Edgar Martinez, arguably the greatest designated hitter of all-time, recently announced that he plans on retiring from baseball at the end of the 2004 major league baseball season. Ever since that announcement, pundits have begun debating whether or not Martinez deserves to be enshrined in Cooperstown.

Edgar Martinez

From what’s been written about Edgar Martinez in recent weeks, I’ve come to the conclusion that his supporters and his detractors tend to use different types of evidence to buttress their respective positions. Martinez’s supporters seem to prefer anecdotal evidence, whereas Martinez’s detractors tend to prefer statistical evidence. When I describe the specific points made by each side, I think it’ll become clear what I mean by “anecdotal” and “statistical.”

So, without further delay, let us dive headfirst into the sea of debate. And let us try to think critically about the career of Edgar Martinez.

For

• Edgar Martinez is among the most respected players in baseball today. If players and managers voted for who would enter the Hall of Fame, then Martinez would be a sure bet to make it. Upon hearing about Martinez’s announcement, current Devil Rays manager and former Mariners manager Lou Piniella said, “He’s one of the best right-hand hitters I’ve ever seen.” Angels closer Troy Percival had flattering things to say about Martinez, as well. When asked about Martinez and his chances for enshrinement, Percival said: “He’s one of the best I’ve ever seen…In my mind, hands down, he goes in.” Obviously, many other current players have also wished Martinez the best of luck in his attempt to court skeptical voters in his campaign for Cooperstown.
  

• Paul Molitor

  Paul Molitor’s entry into Cooperstown validated the candidacy of the designated hitter. Designated hitters are players just like everyone else. Though a designated hitter can’t help his team with his glove, he’s expected to help his team with his bat. If you’re a DH, you have to produce at the plate—which means that being a DH doesn’t give you more free time to relax on the bench. When your teammates are out on the field, you don’t sit on the bench twiddling your thumbs. No, of course not. When your teammates are fielding grounders and catching fly balls you’re supposed to be working on your swing and studying scouting reports. There’s another point that needs to be made too.
  
  Full-time DH’s play more often than pitchers do. Pitchers have off-days, but designated hitters don’t. Yet, there’s no controversy over letting pitchers into the Hall. We don’t penalize a pitcher for not contributing to his team on his off-days. Why should we penalize a DH for sitting on the bench half the game? At least a designated hitter can contribute on daily basis.
  
• Edgar Martinez is a fabulous hitter. He truly understands the art of hitting. People buy tickets so they can watch him hit. Watching Martinez work a pitcher is like watching an artist craft a masterpiece. The hallowed halls of Cooperstown are reserved for players just like Martinez. Players who have mastered the beautiful art of hitting.

Against

• Edgar Martinez hasn’t reached any statistical milestones in his career. When you look at the Martinez’s career numbers, it’s important to take note of two key statistics: 1) total career hits and 2) total career homers. As of August 25, 2004, Martinez has only 2,220 career hits and 306 career homers. Both of those career totals fall well short of the figures typically associated with Hall of Fame-caliber hitters; the 3,000 hit mark and the 500 home run mark are frequently used as unofficial requisites for consideration. Martinez’s isn’t even close to 3,000 hits or 500 home runs.
  
• Unlike Molitor, Martinez has spent virtually his entire career playing DH. The reason why Molitor made it into the Hall was because he wasn’t a full-time designated hitter for most of his career. Before nagged injuries forced him to play DH, he enjoyed reasonable success in the field. Though he never won a Gold Glove, Molitor was one of the most versatile players to ever play the game. Over the first 13 years of his career, he played seven different positions in the field. And he once said: “when the Brewers approached me about becoming a designated hitter on a full-time basis, I was hesitant…[because] I loved the defensive side of the game.”

  Martinez has always struggled in the field. Over his career he’s played just 591 games in the field, whereas Molitor played 1509 games in the field. Martinez has never been a complete baseball player.

• Frank Thomas

  Edgar Martinez isn’t that great of a hitter. Harold Baines, who has been a DH for a good part of his career, has put up equally “impressive” (note the sarcasm) numbers. And by the time Frank Thomas’ career ends, his DH numbers should easily eclipse Martinez’s. Furthermore, when you compare Martinez’s numbers with other non-designated hitters of his generation, it become even more evident that Martinez just isn’t that great of a hitter.

  Rafael Palmeiro has over 500 career homers, is closing in on 3,000 hits, and even has a few Gold Gloves to boot. And lest we forget, 40-year-old Barry Bonds is chasing Hank Aaron’s home run record. Now, does 2,200 hits and 300 homers sound impressive compared to those guys?

Conclusion

The case of Edgar Martinez will be a tough call for Cooperstown ballot-casters. I expect anti-DH purists to fight to the bitter end, and new-school stat-heads to laugh at Martinez’s mediocre career number. But I also expect many baseball writers to be a bit more lenient. Martinez truly is one of the great people in the game today. He may not be a first-ballot, but he’s definitely a classy guy—which I hope still counts for something in our success-obsessed society.