Chito Martínez

Chito Martínez
Chito Martínez
	Martínez in 1988
	Outfielder
	Born: December 19, 1965 (age 58); Belize City, Belize
	Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
	July 5, 1991, for the Baltimore Orioles
Last MLB appearance
	April 20, 1993, for the Baltimore Orioles
MLB statistics
Games played	158
Batting average	.259
Home runs	18
	Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
	Baltimore Orioles (1991–1993);

Reyenaldo Ignacio "Chito" Martínez (born December 19, 1965) is a former Major League Baseball player and the first in MLB history to be born in the country of Belize.

Career

Born in Belize City, he emigrated to New Orleans with his family at two years old. After struggling in the minors, he contemplated going into business with his father whose company sells and services and air conditioners.^[1] Martinez played minor league baseball for the Kansas City Royals organization, but never came close to the major leagues with them. The outfielder was signed to the Baltimore organization in the winter of 1990. By July 1991, Martinez had the most home runs in the International League (20) and he was called up from the Class AAA Rochester Red Wings to the Orioles.^[2]

He spent parts of three seasons (1991 to 1993) with the Baltimore Orioles, hitting 13 home runs in his rookie season and posting a slugging percentage of .514 in 216 at bats. He was also the first Orioles player to record a hit in each of his first six MLB games.^[3] It would be the high point of his career. After his power dropped dramatically in 1992, Martínez quickly faded away. He appeared in eight games in 1993 before leaving the major leagues.

Personal

Martinez has a son who plays minor league baseball. Drew Martinez attended the University of Memphis. He was selected by the New York Mets in the 2010 MLB draft after his sophomore year, but returned to Memphis for another year. He was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 10th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft and played in the minor leagues from 2011 to 2016.^[4]^[5]

References

^ Eisenberg, John (August 16, 1991). "Chito Martinez proves doubters wrong". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
^ Schmuck, Peter (July 6, 1991). "Team reaches Whitt's end, Chito Martinez brought up". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
^ "1992 Upper Deck baseball card # 672".
^ Rohan, Tim. "Cape League Spotlight: Drew Martinez, Brewster". Cape Cod Times. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
^ "Martinez, Locante first Memphis-area players drafted in MLB draft". The Memphis Commercial Appeal. June 7, 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2012.

External links

Career statistics from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)

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[doubters-1] Eisenberg, John (August 16, 1991). "Chito Martinez proves doubters wrong". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 15, 2023.

[Schmuck-2] Schmuck, Peter (July 6, 1991). "Team reaches Whitt's end, Chito Martinez brought up". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 3, 2012.

[3] "1992 Upper Deck baseball card # 672".

[Cape-4] Rohan, Tim. "Cape League Spotlight: Drew Martinez, Brewster". Cape Cod Times. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2012.

[Commercial-5] "Martinez, Locante first Memphis-area players drafted in MLB draft". The Memphis Commercial Appeal. June 7, 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2012.

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