Well, I’m sure he’s fine, but he watched as two of his marks were surpassed on Saturday.
First, David Ortiz set the major league record for RBIs by a designated hitter, passing Martinez’s mark of 1,003. Then, later that night, Ichiro Suzuki broke Edgar Martinez’s franchise record for career hits, notching his 2,248th hit in a Mariners uniform.
Both were a foregone conclusion, of course, but the Ortiz mark is one that probably has more significance from a legacy perspective for Martinez. His Hall of Fame case has been premised on the notion that he is the best DH ever. I still think that’s the case, but if Ortiz doesn’t slow down, he’ll likely take that title, either on the merits or in the popular consciousness. Given that Martinez’s Hall of Fame vote was surprisingly anemic in his first year on the ballot -- 32.9% -- methinks it bodes ill for his future chances.