Tippy Martinez

[William Malone]

Felix Anthony Martinez was born on May 31, 1950 in La Junta, Colorado.

The New York Yankees signed him as an amateur free agent in 1974 out of Colorado State University. He made his Major League debut for them later that same year. Martinez had a 2.77 ERA with ten saves over parts of three seasons with the Yankees. They traded him to the Baltimore Orioles on June 15, 1976.

Martinez became a longtime staple of the Orioles bullpen, going 52-40 with a 3.46 ERA and 105 saves. The Orioles reached the World Series twice during his tenure there, losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979 and defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in 1983. He had a 1.74 ERA with two saves in postseason play. Martinez struggled in his final years with the Orioles, posting a 5.44 ERA between 1985 and 1986. Baltimore released him on June 4, 1987 while he was struggling on a minor league rehab assignment.

The defending champion Minnesota Twins signed him to a minor league deal ahead of the 1988 campaign. He made their Opening Day roster at age 37. It was a pitching staff full of veterans hoping to hold onto their careers a little bit longer.43-year olds Joe Niekro and Steve Carlton were both on the team as well. None of these three veterans were able to last a month. Martinez was released after just three appearances, where he allowed nine runs over four innings.

Martinez has lived out most of his retired years in the greater Baltimore area. He spent three seasons as the pitching coach in the Atlantic League.

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