Do you think Edgar Martinez should be elected to the Hall of Fame?

Answer 1

For better or for worse, one league made DH a real position. Furthermore, in the minors, most of them use a DH. So if a position is deemed important for a team and you have a top performer in that position, you have to recognize the accomplishments of Edgar Martínez. It was not his choice not to be on the field, the manager made that choice, for whatever reasons, but when it came to hitting, he could hit.
Here is some info

Martinez will be on the ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame after the 2009 season. His chances for induction are considered controversial because he spent two thirds of his career as a designated hitter.[5] Martinez was not given regular playing time in the major leagues until 1990 (when he was 27), despite hitting extremely well in the minors and in his first September call-up to the Mariners. Because of the late start, he has not amassed the totals for hits (fewer than 2,300) and home runs (309, 100th all time) that some associate with a Hall of Fame slugger. But Martinez was more of a gap hitter, as evidenced by his 514 career doubles (35th all time). Known for incredible plate discipline, he is ranked 69th all time in number of times on base (3619). Compared to the 164 Hall of Fame hitters, Martinez's on-base percentage (.418) would rank 13th, and his .933 OPS would rank 17th. He has the sixth-highest OPS for a right-handed hitter ever, behind Foxx, Greenberg, Hornsby, McGwire and DiMaggio. Since 1946, only two Hall of Famers have finished with an on-base percentage better than Martinez's .418: Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle. (Taken from Wikipedia)

Answer 2

I'd like to see him get elected (but forget about "first ballot" -- not gonna happen). Martinez was a helluva hitter and, if I could have, I'd have voted for him for 1995 AL MVP; he was better than Belle and clearly better than winner Vaughn. Anyway.

Edgar's shortcomings are that he didn't get called up until late (mid-20s), lost a couple of full seasons to injuries, and primarily was a DH. While he doesn't have any big, impressive counting career numbers (his lifetime .418 OBP is stunning -- 22nd all-time as of 2006), I value great seasons over flashy career totals, and Edgar had plenty of truly great hitting seasons. It doesn't bother me at all that he rarely played defense, DH is a real position, but some voters look askance at that. Martinez comes up for consideration in 2010, and will be the first great acid test for how the writers will evaluate a primary DH player -- and that'll be important, because if we go down the "well, he didn't play the WHOLE game" road, we similarly cannot consider any primary-AL pitchers, who do not bat, and I think it's pretty darn clear that Clemens and Johnson are going to get plaques eventually.

Martinez deserves the Hall plaque. Here's hoping.

Answer 3

Honestly, since Martinez is only near the top in one offensive category (doubles - 514), I do not think he will make the Hall of Fame. Yes, he did have a good batting average, but did not possess a high slugging or on-base percentage. Yes, he was an excellent designated hitter, but to be in the HOF, you have to be a complete ballplayer which Edgar was not. He was a slow runner and did not play defense most of the time, so I don't think you can compare him to a Hall of Famer.

Answer 4

Yes I do, Baseball Writers ask themselves, " Did this Player dominate an era ? " An Era is 5 years, so yes, Edgar dominated as a hitter in MLB. High Batting Avg and consistant run producer. Down fall ? DHing, Need to create a special DH Wing in Cooperstown.

Answer 5

No, he does not. He hit more than 30 HR only once in his career, and was not a great RBI man, with the exception of a single season. He has also never finished any higher than 6th in MVP voting. By his numbers alone, it would be tough to let him into the Hall. Throw in the fact that he was basically a career designated hitter and never had to play defense, and it's a real tough case in my opinion.

Answer 6

No.

Best designated hitter?

I would say Don Mattingly goes in before Edgar.

Answer 7

Thats up for debate.He hit a lot of doubles I remember,but he doesn't have any of those magical numbers.3,000, 500,and all those.He should be in a Mariners hall of fame for sure but in Cooperstown I don't think so.

Answer 8

Unfortunately, no. Based on his career as being more of a DH than a field player, and the steroid allegations. If he had played more in the field and not had any scandal, then I think he would've eventually got in.

Answer 9

Good player but it is iffy.