Ramón Martínez (infielder)

Ramón Martínez
Martínez during theMLB China Seriesin 2008
Infielder
Born:(1972-10-10)October 10, 1972 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,U.S.
Batted:Right Threw:Right
MLB debut
June 20, 1998, for the San Francisco Giants
Last MLB appearance
June 2, 2009, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
Batting average	.262
Home runs	29
Runs batted in	242
StatsatBaseball Reference
Teams
San Francisco Giants(1998–2002) Chicago Cubs(2003–2004) Detroit Tigers(2005) Philadelphia Phillies(2005) Los Angeles Dodgers(2006–2007) New York Mets(2008–2009)

Ramón E. Martínez(born October 10, 1972) is an American formerMajor League Baseballutilityinfielder.

Early career

Martínez graduated from Escuela Superior Catolica High School and then attendedVernon Regional Junior CollegeinTexas,where he playedbaseballand graduated in 1992. He was signed as an undraftedfree agentby theKansas City Royalson January 15, 1993.

Professional career

Kansas City Royals

Martínez made his professional baseball debut with theGulf Coast Royalsin the rookie leagues in 1993 and rose through the Royals farm system with stops inWilmington,Wichita,andOmaha.

San Francisco Giants

On December 9, 1996, Martínez was traded by the Royals to theSan Francisco GiantsforJamie Brewington.He played with the Giants Double-A team inShreveportand Triple-A teams inPhoenixandFresnobefore finally getting his first shot at the big leagues.

Martínez made his major league debut on June 20, 1998, as the startingsecond basemanfor the Giants against theSan Diego Padres.He went 3 for 3 in his debut, with his firsthitbeing asingleoffMark Langston.He was the first Giant sinceWillie McCoveyto register at least 3 hits in his first Major League game.

He remained on the Giants roster through 2002. The Giants used him as a utility player primarily, with occasional starts at second,shortstoporthird.

Chicago Cubs

He left the Giants as a free agent following the 2002 season and signed with theChicago Cubs,where he was their top infield reserve/pinch hitterfor two seasons.

Detroit Tigers/Philadelphia Phillies

Martínez started the 2005 season with theDetroit Tigersand was traded on June 9 to thePhiladelphia PhilliesalongsideUgueth Urbinafor infielderPlácido Polanco.He hit. 286 for the Phillies, who used him as their backupfirst baseman.Ramon's onlyhome runwith thePhillieswas agrand slamoffHoracio Ramírezon September 14, 2005, in a 12-4 Phillies win.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Martínez signed with theLos Angeles Dodgersprior to the 2006 season and spent the next two seasons as a utility player for the Dodgers, playing solidly in 2006 during injuries to starting second basemanJeff Kent.His option was not picked up by the club after the 2007 season,but on January 29, 2008, they signed him to a minor league deal with an invitation tospring training.He wound up assigned to the minor leagueLas Vegas 51sto start the 2008 season, but was injured and spent several months on theDL.

New York Mets

He eventually returned to the 51s, but was released by the Dodgers on July 24 and was signed by theNew York Metsto a minor league deal. He was called up late in the 2008 season. Martinez signed a minor league deal to rejoin the Mets on February 13, 2009.

External links

• Career statistics fromMLB,orESPN,orBaseball Reference,orFangraphs,orBaseball Reference (Minors)