Mariners honor Edgar, announce statue plans

SEATTLE -- Edgar Martinez was surrounded by stars from across Seattle’s sports landscape on Saturday night, but it was the venerable Mariner who shone brightest as the recently inducted National Baseball Hall of Famer was celebrated in a pregame ceremony at T-Mobile Park.

The ceremony included news from Mariners CEO John Stanton that a statue will be unveiled next year at the park commemorating Martinez and “The Double” to win the 1995 American League Division Series over the Yankees that highlighted his career and is credited with saving baseball in Seattle.

The Mariners brought in Pro Football Hall of Famers Steve Largent, Kenny Easley and Walter Jones from the Seahawks, NBA Hall of Famer Jack Sikma from the Sonics and several of their own fellow Mariners Hall Of Famers -- Ken Griffey Jr., Alvin Davis and Dan Wilson -- to honor Martinez, who joined Griffey as the only full-time Mariner to have a plaque hung in Cooperstown three weeks ago.

Also surrounding Martinez during the half-hour ceremony were soccer stars Kasey Keller and Michele Akers, eight-time Olympic speed-skating medalist Apolo Ohno, as well as Luis Clemente, the son of Roberto Clemente, Martinez’s childhood hero from Puerto Rico.

“Sometimes it feels like it’s a little too much,” said the always-humble Martinez. “But I’m very blessed that all this happened to me and my family.”

Martinez was serenaded by chants of “Eddd-gar, Eddd-gar” from Seattle fans who grew to cherish his loyalty and abilities during an 18-year playing career, during which he never wore another team’s uniform. He thanked everyone who played a hand in his journey, including the multitude of Mariners faithful who flocked to Cooperstown and again to T-Mobile Park to cheer him on while wearing his No. 11 jersey.

“I want to let them know what an important role they played in my career,” Martinez said. “It’s been a great relationship for a long time. I want them to know how I feel.”

He finished a four-minute speech by thanking what he called “the greatest fans in baseball” for their support from start to finish.

“So many of you made the long trek to Cooperstown for the induction and many more followed from here at home,” he said. “It was humbling to see as I stood at that podium. I felt you with me. I have said it before, and I’ll say it again. Seattle, you are the best fans. Seattle will always be a special place for me and my family. Playing in front of you has been the highlight of my life. I love you."

Martinez’s three-day weekend celebration will conclude Sunday with fans at the series finale with the Rays receiving a replica Edgar Martinez Drive street sign, like the ones that mark the street running in front of T-Mobile Park.

Yes, Martinez says he has an actual street sign at his house and is humbled every time he comes to the stadium and sees his name on the freeway exit and four-lane road leading to the stadium, which houses the Edgar's Cantina restaurant and has his retired number hanging alongside Griffey’s in center field.

“Sometimes I think about how all this happened,” Martinez said. “Usually people who are alive don’t have a street [named after them], but it’s amazing to think about it. When I came here to the States as a young kid, I would never have thought all this would happen to me. It’s been amazing.”

Now he adds a plaque all the way across the country in Cooperstown. The plaque was on display on Friday and Saturday at T-Mobile Park, but will be returned to its rightful place in the Hall of Fame where it will remain alongside the greats of the game in perpetuity.

“That’s pretty cool,” the low-key Martinez allowed.

Pretty cool, indeed.