Seattle Mariners handing out Edgar Martinez Hall of Fame pamphlets

The Seattle Mariners are stepping up their game in the quest to get Edgar Martines inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Seattle Mariners star Edgar Martinez has had an uphill battle to get into the Hall of Fame. He truly did not get a chance until he was already 27 years old, and missed a portion of his prime due to injuries. Martinez is also attempting to be the first player who was primarily a designated hitter to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, something that detracts from his candidacy in the minds of some voters.

Nonetheless, Martinez has seen his voting percentage increase in recent years. In 2017, he earned 58.2% of the vote, the sixth highest mark on the ballot. However, with just two years left, time is running out for Martinez to be voted in by the BBWAA. As such, the Mariners are doing their best to push Martinez over the hump, doing so in a creative way.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Even with that late start, Martinez’ numbers speak for themselves. He was a seven time All Star and a five time Silver Slugger, finishing in the top ten of the MVP vote twice. A two time winner of the batting title, Martinez ended his career with a .312/.418/.515 batting line, hitting 309 homers and 514 doubles. Although he was not thought of as a slugger, Martinez had eight seasons with 20 or more homers and drove in over 100 runs six times, proving to be a valuable run producer.

However, that stigma of Martinez as a designated hitter hangs over his accomplishments. Just as writers are, at times, loath to vote for a reliever, Martinez is facing the same struggle as a DH. Nonetheless, he was arguably the greatest player at his position in baseball history, a player that opposing pitchers feared to see at the plate with the game on the line.

Next: Mariners Mount Rushmore

Edgar Martinez has just two years left to be voted into the Hall of Fame. The Seattle Mariners are doing their part to try to get him there.