Victor Martinez, baseball player, 246 home runs, 2002-2018

Victor Martinez

Born: 12/23/1978 in Ciudad Bolivar, Bolivar, Venezuela

MLB Debut: 2002-09-10 | Final Game: 2018-09-22

Bats: B | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 235 lbs

Full name: Victor Jesus Martinez

Biography

Victor Martinez was a prominent figure in Major League Baseball, known for his exceptional hitting prowess and versatility as a position player. Born in 1978, he played from 2002 to 2018, amassing a career total of 1,973 games. Over his 16-year career, Martinez recorded 2,153 hits, 246 home runs, and 1,178 RBIs, finishing with an impressive batting average of .295. His offensive skills were complemented by a solid understanding of the game, making him a reliable player in clutch situations. Throughout his career, he was selected as an All-Star five times, highlighting his status as one of the elite hitters of his era. Martinez's career unfolded during a period marked by offensive explosion in baseball, where hitters sought to take advantage of more favorable hitting conditions. He was known for his disciplined approach at the plate, combining power with a keen eye for pitches, which contributed to his high batting average and run production. As a switch-hitter, he provided flexibility and a unique challenge for opposing pitchers. His contributions to teams like the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians cemented his legacy as a key player in the landscape of 21st-century baseball. Ultimately, Martinez left an indelible mark on the game, celebrated for both his achievements and his sportsmanship.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
1973 7297 914 2153 423 3 246 1178 7 730 891 0.295 0.360 0.455 0.815 16091.3

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
39 149 22 47 8 1 6 22 11 23 0.315

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
2014 ALDS2 DET 3 12 3 4 2 0 1 3 0 4 0.333
2013 ALDS2 DET 5 20 5 9 2 0 1 2 0 2 0.450
2013 ALCS DET 6 22 4 8 2 0 0 3 1 1 0.364
2011 ALDS1 DET 5 18 1 4 0 0 1 3 2 5 0.222
2011 ALCS DET 6 22 3 6 0 1 1 2 3 1 0.273
2009 ALDS2 BOS 3 11 0 2 0 0 0 2 1 2 0.182
2007 ALDS2 CLE 4 17 2 6 1 0 1 4 1 3 0.353
2007 ALCS CLE 7 27 4 8 1 0 1 3 3 5 0.296

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
1B 214 196 1513 101 11 155
C 858 828 5375 347 42 43

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Catcher 858
First Base 214
Designated Hitter 869

Awards & Honors

Year Award Notes
2016 Player of the Week Week of 2016-04-30
2014 Outstanding DH Award
2014 Player of the Month August
2014 Silver Slugger DH
2011 Player of the Week Week of 2011-05-15
2005 Player of the Week Week of 2005-08-27
2004 Player of the Week Week of 2004-07-17
2004 Player of the Week Week of 2004-05-15
2004 Silver Slugger C

Salary History

Year Team League Salary
2016 DET AL $18,000,000
2015 DET AL $14,000,000
2014 DET AL $12,000,000
2013 DET AL $13,000,000
2012 DET AL $13,000,000
2011 DET AL $12,000,000
2010 BOS AL $7,700,000
2009 CLE AL $5,900,000
2008 CLE AL $4,450,000
2007 CLE AL $3,200,000
2006 CLE AL $1,000,000
2005 CLE AL $372,100
2004 CLE AL $304,500
Total Career Earnings $104,926,600

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
2014 Most Valuable Player AL 2nd 229.0 420 0
2011 Most Valuable Player AL 15th 7.0 392 0
2009 Most Valuable Player AL 21th 4.0 392 0
2007 Most Valuable Player AL 7th 103.0 392 0
2005 Most Valuable Player AL 18th 5.0 392 0
2004 Most Valuable Player AL 21th 4.0 392 0