From birth to the Hall of Fame: Edgar's timeline

January 22nd, 2019

SEATTLE -- Edgar Martinez's career timeline:
Jan. 2, 1963: Martinez was born in New York, though he moved to Dorado, Puerto Rico, two years later to live with his grandparents after his parents divorced.
Dec. 19, 1982: Signed a Minor League contract with the Mariners for $4,000 after a tryout camp while playing semi-pro ball and working nights in a factory in Puerto Rico.
Sept. 12, 1987: Made his Major League debut with Seattle as a late-season callup, his first appearance coming as a pinch runner for Jim Presley in the sixth inning of a 12-2 win over the White Sox. Later popped out in the eighth inning of that game in his first at-bat. His first hit came two days later in his first start -- a triple to center in the Kingdome off the Indians' Reggie Ritter -- and he wound up hitting .372 over the first 13 games of his career that season.

April 9, 1990: After three seasons of bouncing between Seattle and Triple-A Calgary, finally earned the starting job at third base to open the 1990 season at age 27 and went on to lead the team with a .302 average and .397 on-base percentage in 144 games.
July 14, 1992: Played in the first of his seven All-Star Games in the season before going on to win the first of two American League batting titles with a .343 average.
April 3, 1993: Tore his hamstring during an exhibition game in Vancouver, B.C., just prior to the season opener, an injury that led to an injury-plagued season and one of the reasons he eventually switched from third base to a full-time designated hitter role.
Edgar's top 11 Mariners moments
Oct. 2, 1995: Went 2-for-3 in the Mariners' one-game tiebreaker win over the Angels to clinch the AL West title, capping a season during which he won his second batting title at .356 and also led the AL in runs (121), doubles (52), OBP (.479) and OPS (1.109) to help Seattle reach the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Oct. 8, 1995: The moment Mariners fans will always attach to his name, "The Double," came on a walkoff two-bagger in the 11th inning as his shot to the left-field corner in the Kingdome scored Joey Cora and Ken Griffey Jr. to beat the Yankees, 6-5, and send Seattle to the AL Championship Series with a 3-2 series win in the AL Division Series.

Oct. 2, 2004: Commissioner Bud Selig changes the name of Outstanding Designated Hitter Award to the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award. Martinez was a five-time winner of the trophy before it was named in his honor.
Oct. 3, 2004: Plays his final game, going 0-for-4 in a 3-0 loss to the Rangers, but finishes his career in style by circling the entire stadium and exchanging high fives with fans all along the rail at Safeco Field.
Oct. 27, 2004: Becomes the first Puerto Rican to receive the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, which honors one player each year for his community service and sportsmanship.
June 2, 2007: Elected into the Mariners' Hall of Fame, where he joins Alvin Davis, Dave Niehaus, Jay Buhner, Randy Johnson, Dan Wilson, Ken Griffey Jr., Lou Piniella and Jamie Moyer.
Aug. 12, 2017: Became the second Mariner to have his number retired, joining Ken Griffey Jr. as his No. 11 was hung on the center field facade at Safeco Field.

Jan. 22, 2019: In his 10th and final year of eligibility, elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.