SEATTLE (AP) – As Edgar Martinez’s candidacy for the baseball Hall of Fame began gaining more traction, the Seattle Mariners ownership started discussions of whether it was time to consider giving Martinez the ultimate honor from the franchise.
When Martinez made a significant jump in the Hall of Fame voting this year, trending toward potential induction, it became an easy decision to decide it was time to retire Martinez’s No. 11.
Seattle team President Kevin Mather announced Tuesday that Martinez’s number will be retired on Aug. 12 as part of a weekend celebration. He will become just the second player in club history to have his number retired, joining Ken Griffey Jr., whose No. 24 was retired by the club last year after Griffey’s Hall of Fame induction.
Even though Cooperstown is still just a possibility for Martinez, the club decided now was the right time even if it meant special approval from ownership.
“I was surprised. I knew that the Mariners had these policies about retiring numbers and I didn’t expect it, so I was surprised,” Martinez said.