Carlos Martínez (baseball infielder)
Encyclopedia
Carlos Alberto Escobar Martínez (August 11, 1965 - January 24, 2006) was a Venezuela
n first baseman
and third baseman
in Major League Baseball
. From through 1995
, he played for the Chicago White Sox
(1988–90), Cleveland Indians
(1991–93) and California Angels
(1995). Martínez batted and threw right-handed.
, Venezuela and played all his career in the Venezuelan Winter League with his home city team Tiburones de La Guaira
.
Martínez, affectionately nicknamed "Café", signed with the New York Yankees
as a free agent
in 1983. During the 1986 midseason, he was sent by New York to the White Sox in the same trade that brought Ron Kittle
to the Yankees. Finally, Martínez made his major league debut with Chicago in 1988.
Listed at 6'5", 175 pounds, Martínez never was able to fulfill the potential that he showed in the minors
. His most productive season came in for the White Sox, when he posted career-highs in average
(.300), at-bats
(350), hits
(105), runs
(44) and doubles
(22), and also was named to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team
.
In addition to playing with the White Sox, Martínez also spent playing time as an utility
with the Cleveland Indians, and made his last major league appearance with the California Angels in 1995. Martínez is perhaps best remembered as the batter who hit the long fly ball which bounced off José Canseco
's head for a home run on May 26, 1993.
In a seven-season career, Martínez was a .258 hitter with 25 home run
s and 161 RBI
in 465 games played
. Martínez died in Catia La Mar, Venezuela at age 40 after suffering a long illness.
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
n first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
and third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
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...
. From through 1995
1995 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Atlanta Braves over Cleveland Indians ; Tom Glavine, MVP*All-Star Game, July 11 at The Ballpark in Arlington: National League, 3-2; Jeff Conine, MVP-Other champions:...
, he played for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1988–90), Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(1991–93) and California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
(1995). Martínez batted and threw right-handed.
Biography
Martínez was born in La GuairaLa Guaira
La Guaira is the capital city of the Venezuelan state of Vargas and the country's chief port. It was founded in 1577 as an outlet for Caracas, to the southeast. The town and the port were badly damaged during the December 1999 floods and mudslides that affected much of the region...
, Venezuela and played all his career in the Venezuelan Winter League with his home city team Tiburones de La Guaira
Tiburones de La Guaira
The Tiburones de La Guaira are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in the city of La Guaira, the Tiburones have won seven national championships since their founding in 1962.-History:...
.
Martínez, affectionately nicknamed "Café", signed with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in 1983. During the 1986 midseason, he was sent by New York to the White Sox in the same trade that brought Ron Kittle
Ron Kittle
Ronald Dale Kittle is a former left fielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who was known mostly for his home run power, being named the 1983 AL Rookie of the Year...
to the Yankees. Finally, Martínez made his major league debut with Chicago in 1988.
Listed at 6'5", 175 pounds, Martínez never was able to fulfill the potential that he showed in the minors
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
. His most productive season came in for the White Sox, when he posted career-highs in average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
(.300), at-bats
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
(350), hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
(105), runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
(44) and doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
(22), and also was named to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team
Topps All-Star Rookie Rosters
This is a year-by-year list of the Topps All-Star Rookie teams. Note that players selected for a particular team appear in the following year's set release...
.
In addition to playing with the White Sox, Martínez also spent playing time as an utility
Utility player
In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. Sports in which the term is often used include association football , baseball, rugby, rugby league, water polo and softball....
with the Cleveland Indians, and made his last major league appearance with the California Angels in 1995. Martínez is perhaps best remembered as the batter who hit the long fly ball which bounced off José Canseco
José Canseco
José Canseco Capas, Jr. is a Cuban-American professional baseball manager, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Yuma Scorpions of the North American League and former Major League Baseball player. He is the identical twin brother of former major league player and current teammate Ozzie Canseco...
's head for a home run on May 26, 1993.
In a seven-season career, Martínez was a .258 hitter with 25 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...
s and 161 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
in 465 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. Martínez died in Catia La Mar, Venezuela at age 40 after suffering a long illness.