Big Edgar Martinez fan Steven Souza Jr. ribbed a Rays writer for leaving Martinez off his HOF ballot
Would you vote in favor of electing Edgar Martinez to the Baseball Hall of Fame? The vaunted Mariners slugger (who resides atop the franchise leaderboard in many offensive categories) and current hitting coach is up for possible election, and baseball scribes have some important decisions to make.
Rays outfielder
So when Tampa Bay Times reporter Marc Topkin revealed his HOF ballot on Tuesday, a name was missing:
Okay, here it is, my Hall of Fame ballot. And a link to my column on some of the voting issues. https://t.co/AN9zRN83f5 Guessing a few people will have some opinions. pic.twitter.com/MXz8z0aUVC
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) January 23, 2018
Souza promptly took him to task for it with a good-natured ribbing on Twitter:
Dear @TBTimes_Rays,
— Steven Souza Jr. (@SouzaJr) January 23, 2018
You are hereby on probation from interviews until my childhood hero, Edgar Martinez is rightfully voted in to the Hall Of Fame. This may seem unprofessional and unfair, but I say to you “My oh My”.
Yours Truly,
Longtime Mariner Fan
Souza then backed up his support of Martinez's spot in Cooperstown with some facts:
All my Seattle folk know why he belongs! #EdgarHOF
— Steven Souza Jr. (@SouzaJr) January 23, 2018
1995 ALDS Gm5: Griffey scores the game-winning run https://t.co/ANjyKaaAd5 via @YouTube
Topkin, to his credit, had fun with it as well:
Passionate response to my Edgar-less Hall of Fame ballot from #Rays OF and 2017 team MVP ( I do still have your trophy BTW ...) https://t.co/4bsusAf6tv
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) January 23, 2018
Safe to say Souza hasn't lost any of his affinity for Martinez over the years, even though he suits up for an opposing AL club.
Baseball passion: it runs deep.