Anastacio Martínez
Encyclopedia
Anastacio Euclides Martínez (born November 3, 1978 in Villa Mella, Dominican Republic
) is a professional baseball
pitcher
. He played part of the 2004 season
in Major League Baseball
for the Boston Red Sox
, and most recently played for the Calgary Vipers
. He is listed with a height of 6'2" and a weight of 180 lbs., and he bats and throws right-handed. He graduated from Liceo Santa Cruz College in the Dominican Republic
.
as a non-drafted free agent in . The Red Sox assigned Martinez to the Gulf Coast Red Sox, their Rookie-level minor league affiliate, where in he made ten starts, posting a 2-3 record with an ERA
of 3.18. The club promoted him to the Single-A Lowell Spinners
for the season, where he went 0-3 with a 3.68 ERA before being promoted to the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets
. While Martinez initially struggled at Augusta; over the next two seasons (1999–2000) he went 11-10 with an ERA of 5.96. Martinez improved however, and at the end of the 2000 season narrowly missed pitching a no-hitter
, giving up a one-out single in the 9th inning against the Asheville Tourists
. Martinez's performance came just two days after teammate Eric Glaser threw a no-hitter against the Hagerstown Suns
.
In the Red Sox promoted Martinez to the High-A Sarasota Red Sox where he went 9-12 with an ERA of 3.35. Following the 2001 season the Red Sox placed Martinez on their 40-man roster and promoted him to the Double-A Trenton Thunder
. Following spring training Martinez spent the entirety of the season with Trenton, going 5-12 with a 5.31 ERA. One sportswriter, who considered Martinez a top prospect, said that Martinez showed "flashes of brilliance but also considerable inconsistency at Trenton."
Martinez began what would be prove to be an unusual season with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox
, but the Red Sox soon moved him down to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs
, intending to convert him into a closer. In 34 relief appearances with Portland Martinez posted a 3-1 record with 14 saves and a 2.25 ERA. On July 22, 2003, the Red Sox traded Martinez and Brandon Lyon
to the Pittsburgh Pirates
for Scott Sauerbeck
and Mike González. The Pirates assigned Martinez to the Double-A Altoona Curve
, where he made three relief appearances before, in a strange twist, the Pirates sent him and Lyon right back to Boston on August 1, along with Jeff Suppan
, while Boston returned Gonzalez while adding Freddy Sanchez
. The Pirates had raised concerns over the state of Lyon's elbow (Lyon would miss the entire 2004 season); the new trade effectively canceled the old one. Martinez finished out the season at Pawtucket.
Martinez was a strong candidate to make the major-league team in but was optioned to Pawtucket in late March. The Red Sox called him up on May 22 to replace the injured Scott Williamson
, and Martinez made his major-league debut with Boston on May 22, 2004 in relief of another Martinez—Pedro
. After a strong start, going 2-0 with a 1.12 appearances, Martinez was lit up in interleague play and the Red Sox optioned him back to Pawtucket in June when outfielder Trot Nixon
came off the disabled list. Boston manager Terry Francona
was optimistic about Martinez's future: "I think he'll go back to Triple A and be a better pitcher. He'll be back here." Indeed, the Red Sox recalled Martinez on July 2 as Williamson returned to the disabled list. His return was, however, short lived: entering the 12th inning of a 3-3 tie with the Atlanta Braves
, Martinez surrendered a game-winning three-run home run
to Nick Green
; the next day the Red Sox sent him back to Pawtucket and called up Jimmy Anderson. During his two stints with Boston, he made 11 relief appearances, going 2–1 with an 8.44 ERA
and a save. At Pawtucket, in 38 games, he had a 3.74 ERA.
Martinez spent the entire season in Pawtucket, working as both a starter and reliever. He posted a 3-4 record with a 5.98 ERA and one save. At the end of the year the Red Sox granted him free agency.
signed Martinez to a minor league contract. Following minor-league spring training
the Nationals assigned Martinez to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators
, but he made just two appearances before being promoted to the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs
, where he went 5-11 on the year with a 4.48 ERA as a starter. The Nationals signed Martinez to a new contract for 2007 but initially sent him to Harrisburg. After six appearances the Nationals moved Martinez up to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers
, where he made nine appearances, half of them starts, before being traded to the Detroit Tigers
organization for a player to be named later
. The Tigers assigned Martinez to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens
.
in June to make room for Aquilino Lopez
, but recalled Martínez to Toledo in July to replace Preston Larrison. He was released by the Tigers on August 30, 2008.
Martínez pitched for the Estrellas de Oriente in the Dominican Winter League but did not meet with success, going 0-1 with an ERA of 7.45 in seven appearances.
After spending 2009 out of baseball, Martínez played for the Calgary Vipers of the independent Golden Baseball League
in 2010.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
) is a professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He played part of the 2004 season
2004 in baseball
-Headline events of the year:*The Boston Red Sox win their first World Series since , ending the Curse of the Bambino.*With 262 hits, Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners breaks George Sisler's record of 257. Suzuki also sets the record for most singles in a season, with 225.*2004 also marked the final...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
for the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, and most recently played for the Calgary Vipers
Calgary Vipers
The Calgary Vipers were a professional baseball team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They were part of the Western Division of the independent North American League. The Vipers have played all of their home games at Foothills Stadium. Previously, the Vipers played in the Northern League from...
. He is listed with a height of 6'2" and a weight of 180 lbs., and he bats and throws right-handed. He graduated from Liceo Santa Cruz College in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
.
Boston Red Sox
Martínez was acquired by the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
as a non-drafted free agent in . The Red Sox assigned Martinez to the Gulf Coast Red Sox, their Rookie-level minor league affiliate, where in he made ten starts, posting a 2-3 record with an ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 3.18. The club promoted him to the Single-A Lowell Spinners
Lowell Spinners
The Lowell Spinners are a Short-Season A minor league baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.-History:Founded in 1996 after Clyde Smoll moved the Elmira Pioneers to Lowell, Massachusetts, the Spinners play in the New York - Penn League, which has a Short-Season A classification with 76 games a...
for the season, where he went 0-3 with a 3.68 ERA before being promoted to the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets
Augusta GreenJackets
The Augusta GreenJackets are a minor league baseball team that plays in Augusta, Georgia, as a Class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Lake Olmstead Stadium has been the home of the GreenJackets since the 1995 season, although Augusta has fielded a team in the South Atlantic League since 1988...
. While Martinez initially struggled at Augusta; over the next two seasons (1999–2000) he went 11-10 with an ERA of 5.96. Martinez improved however, and at the end of the 2000 season narrowly missed pitching a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
, giving up a one-out single in the 9th inning against the Asheville Tourists
Asheville Tourists
The Asheville Tourists are a minor league baseball team based in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. They play in the Class A South Atlantic League and have been a farm team of the Colorado Rockies since 1994....
. Martinez's performance came just two days after teammate Eric Glaser threw a no-hitter against the Hagerstown Suns
Hagerstown Suns
The Hagerstown Suns are a Minor League Baseball team based in Hagerstown, Maryland, United States. They play in Municipal Stadium, which was opened in 1930 and seats 4,600 fans....
.
In the Red Sox promoted Martinez to the High-A Sarasota Red Sox where he went 9-12 with an ERA of 3.35. Following the 2001 season the Red Sox placed Martinez on their 40-man roster and promoted him to the Double-A Trenton Thunder
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
. Following spring training Martinez spent the entirety of the season with Trenton, going 5-12 with a 5.31 ERA. One sportswriter, who considered Martinez a top prospect, said that Martinez showed "flashes of brilliance but also considerable inconsistency at Trenton."
Martinez began what would be prove to be an unusual season with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
, but the Red Sox soon moved him down to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs
Portland Sea Dogs
The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
, intending to convert him into a closer. In 34 relief appearances with Portland Martinez posted a 3-1 record with 14 saves and a 2.25 ERA. On July 22, 2003, the Red Sox traded Martinez and Brandon Lyon
Brandon Lyon
Brandon James Lyon is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Houston Astros. He throws a 4-seam fastball, 12-6 curveball, slider, and changeup.-Toronto Blue Jays:...
to the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
for Scott Sauerbeck
Scott Sauerbeck
Scott William Sauerbeck is a retired left-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher.-High school career:...
and Mike González. The Pirates assigned Martinez to the Double-A Altoona Curve
Altoona Curve
The Altoona Curve are a minor league baseball team based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, named after nearby Horseshoe Curve . The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club...
, where he made three relief appearances before, in a strange twist, the Pirates sent him and Lyon right back to Boston on August 1, along with Jeff Suppan
Jeff Suppan
Jeffrey Scot Suppan , is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-Baseball career:Suppan was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 1993 amateur draft, and rapidly ascended to the Majors making his debut at the age of 20...
, while Boston returned Gonzalez while adding Freddy Sanchez
Freddy Sanchez
Frederick Phillip "Freddy" Sanchez, Jr. is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the San Francisco Giants. Sanchez has previously played for the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants...
. The Pirates had raised concerns over the state of Lyon's elbow (Lyon would miss the entire 2004 season); the new trade effectively canceled the old one. Martinez finished out the season at Pawtucket.
Martinez was a strong candidate to make the major-league team in but was optioned to Pawtucket in late March. The Red Sox called him up on May 22 to replace the injured Scott Williamson
Scott Williamson
Scott Ryan Williamson is a right-handed relief pitcher in the Florida Marlins organization. He has played for the Cincinnati Reds , Boston Red Sox , Chicago Cubs , San Diego Padres , and the Baltimore Orioles...
, and Martinez made his major-league debut with Boston on May 22, 2004 in relief of another Martinez—Pedro
Pedro Martínez
Pedro Jaime Martínez is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He is an eight-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and 2004 World Series champion...
. After a strong start, going 2-0 with a 1.12 appearances, Martinez was lit up in interleague play and the Red Sox optioned him back to Pawtucket in June when outfielder Trot Nixon
Trot Nixon
Christopher Trotman Nixon is an American retired professional baseball right fielder. He played from 1996-2008 for three different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the Boston Red Sox...
came off the disabled list. Boston manager Terry Francona
Terry Francona
Terry Jon Francona , nicknamed "Tito," is a former Major League Baseball manager and a former player. He was a first baseman and outfielder in the majors from 1981 to 1990. After retiring as a player, he managed several minor league teams in the 1990s before managing the Philadelphia Phillies for...
was optimistic about Martinez's future: "I think he'll go back to Triple A and be a better pitcher. He'll be back here." Indeed, the Red Sox recalled Martinez on July 2 as Williamson returned to the disabled list. His return was, however, short lived: entering the 12th inning of a 3-3 tie with the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, Martinez surrendered a game-winning three-run home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
to Nick Green
Nick Green
Nicholas Anthony Green is an American professional baseball infielder for the Texas Rangers, currently playing in Round Rock, TX for the Round Rock Express, Triple A team of the Rangers...
; the next day the Red Sox sent him back to Pawtucket and called up Jimmy Anderson. During his two stints with Boston, he made 11 relief appearances, going 2–1 with an 8.44 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
and a save. At Pawtucket, in 38 games, he had a 3.74 ERA.
Martinez spent the entire season in Pawtucket, working as both a starter and reliever. He posted a 3-4 record with a 5.98 ERA and one save. At the end of the year the Red Sox granted him free agency.
Washington Nationals
On February 6, , Washington NationalsWashington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
signed Martinez to a minor league contract. Following minor-league spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
the Nationals assigned Martinez to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators
Harrisburg Senators
The Harrisburg Senators are a minor league baseball team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals....
, but he made just two appearances before being promoted to the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
, where he went 5-11 on the year with a 4.48 ERA as a starter. The Nationals signed Martinez to a new contract for 2007 but initially sent him to Harrisburg. After six appearances the Nationals moved Martinez up to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
, where he made nine appearances, half of them starts, before being traded to the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
organization for a player to be named later
Player to be named later
The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:...
. The Tigers assigned Martinez to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
.
Detroit Tigers
Martínez made six starts but also worked out of the bullpen at Toledo during the season, going 4-4 with a 4.24 ERA. The Tigers signed Martínez to a new contract in and he returned to Toledo. The Tigers moved Martinez to the Double-A Erie SeaWolvesErie SeaWolves
The Erie SeaWolves are a minor league baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball club....
in June to make room for Aquilino Lopez
Aquilino Lopez
Aquilino López Roa is a starting pitcher for the Kia Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization...
, but recalled Martínez to Toledo in July to replace Preston Larrison. He was released by the Tigers on August 30, 2008.
Martínez pitched for the Estrellas de Oriente in the Dominican Winter League but did not meet with success, going 0-1 with an ERA of 7.45 in seven appearances.
After spending 2009 out of baseball, Martínez played for the Calgary Vipers of the independent Golden Baseball League
Golden Baseball League
The Golden Baseball League, based in San Ramon, California, was an independent baseball league. It later merged with the Northern League and the United Baseball League to form the North American League in the western United States, western Canada and Mexico....
in 2010.