Edgar Martínez Award

The Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, commonly referred to as the Edgar Martínez Award and originally known as the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, has been presented annually to the most outstanding designated hitter (DH) in the American League (AL) in Major League Baseball (MLB) since 1973. The award is voted on by club beat reporters, broadcasters and AL public relations departments. All players with a minimum of 100 at bats at DH are eligible.[1] It was given annually by members of the Associated Press who are beat writers, broadcasters, and public relations directors. The Associated Press discontinued the award in 2000, but it was picked up by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, which has administered it since.[2]

Edgar Martínez Award
Three pictures side by side of Edgar Martínez swinging at a pitch.
The award was renamed in honor of Edgar Martínez, a five-time winner, upon his retirement.
Awarded forMost outstanding designated hitter in the American League in Major League Baseball (National League also eligible in 2020)
CountryUnited States
Presented byBaseball Writers' Association of America
History
First award1973
Most recentShohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels

In September 2004, at Safeco Field ceremonies in honor of Edgar Martínez, Commissioner Bud Selig announced that the award would be renamed for the five-time recipient (1995, 1997–98, 2000–01).[3] In an 18-year career with the Seattle Mariners, primarily as a designated hitter, Martínez batted .312, with 309 career home runs and 1,261 runs batted in.[4]

In 2020, Major League Baseball allowed the use of the designated hitter for the National League (NL) in addition to the American League, expanding eligibility for the award to designated hitters in either league. The 2020 winner was Marcell Ozuna of the Atlanta Braves, who became the first-ever winner of the award from the National League.[5] In 2021, MLB returned to only using the designated hitter for the American League, before a new collective bargaining agreement between MLB and its players' union allowed the use of the designated hitter in the National League beginning in the 2022 season.[6]

David Ortiz has won the award eight times, more than any other player (2003–2007, 2011, 2013, 2016).[7][8] Other repeat winners of the award include Martinez himself (five times), three-time winner Hal McRae (1976, 1980, and 1982) and two-time winners Willie Horton (1975 and 1979), Greg Luzinski (1981 and 1983), Don Baylor (1985 and 1986), Harold Baines (1987 and 1988), Dave Parker (1989 and 1990), Paul Molitor (1993 and 1996), and Nelson Cruz (2017 and 2019).[9] Boston Red Sox players have won the most Edgar Martínez Awards with eleven.[2]

In 2021, Shohei Ohtani became the first player to win both the Edgar Martínez Award and the American League MVP award in the same season.[10]

Key
Year The MLB season the award was given
Player (X) Denotes winning player and number of times they had won the award at that point (if more than one)
Team The designated hitter's team
† Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
* Denotes player who is still active
BA batting average
HR Home runs
RBI Runs batted in
Italics Indicates player led the AL in that category
Italics Indicates player led the NL in that category

List of winners
Orlando Cepeda waving to a crowd
Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda was the first winner of the award.
David Ortiz points to the sky as he steps on home plate.
David Ortiz has won the award eight times.
Year Player Team BA HR RBI Ref
1973 Orlando Cepeda† Boston Red Sox .289 20 86 [9][11]
1974 Tommy Davis Baltimore Orioles .289 11 84 [9][12]
1975 Willie Horton Detroit Tigers .275 25 92 [9][13]
1976 Hal McRae Kansas City Royals .332 8 73 [14][15]
1977 Jim Rice† Boston Red Sox .320 39 114 [16][17]
1978 Rusty Staub Detroit Tigers .273 24 121 [9][18]
1979 Willie Horton (2) Seattle Mariners .279 29 106 [13][19]
1980 Hal McRae (2) Kansas City Royals .297 14 83 [9][15]
1981 Greg Luzinski Chicago White Sox .265 21 62 [9][20]
1982 Hal McRae (3) Kansas City Royals .308 27 133 [15][21]
1983 Greg Luzinski (2) Chicago White Sox .255 32 95 [9][20]
1984 Dave Kingman Oakland Athletics .268 35 118 [9][22]
1985 Don Baylor New York Yankees .231 23 91 [23][24]
1986 Don Baylor (2) Boston Red Sox .238 31 94 [9][24]
1987 Harold Baines† Chicago White Sox .293 20 93 [9][25]
1988 Harold Baines† (2) Chicago White Sox .277 13 81 [9][25]
1989 Dave Parker Oakland Athletics .264 22 97 [9][26]
1990 Dave Parker (2) Milwaukee Brewers .289 21 92 [9][26]
1991 Chili Davis Minnesota Twins .277 29 93 [9][27]
1992 Dave Winfield† Toronto Blue Jays .290 26 108 [9][28]
1993 Paul Molitor† Toronto Blue Jays .332 22 111 [9][29]
1994 Not awarded due to the players' strike [9]
1995 Edgar Martínez† Seattle Mariners .356 29 113 [4][9]
1996 Paul Molitor† (2) Minnesota Twins .341 9 113 [29][30]
1997 Edgar Martínez† (2) Seattle Mariners .330 28 108 [4][9]
1998 Edgar Martínez† (3) Seattle Mariners .322 29 102 [4][9]
1999 Rafael Palmeiro Texas Rangers .324 47 148 [9][31]
2000 Edgar Martínez† (4) Seattle Mariners .324 37 145 [4][9]
2001 Edgar Martínez† (5) Seattle Mariners .306 23 116 [4][9]
2002 Ellis Burks Cleveland Indians .301 32 91 [9][32]
2003 David Ortiz† Boston Red Sox .288 31 101 [33][34]
2004 David Ortiz† (2) Boston Red Sox .301 41 139 [34][35]
2005 David Ortiz† (3) Boston Red Sox .300 47 148 [34][36]
2006 David Ortiz† (4) Boston Red Sox .287 54 137 [34][37]
2007 David Ortiz† (5) Boston Red Sox .332 35 117 [7][34]
2008 Aubrey Huff Baltimore Orioles .304 32 108 [38][39]
2009 Adam Lind Toronto Blue Jays .305 35 114 [1][40]
2010 Vladimir Guerrero† Texas Rangers .300 29 115 [41][42]
2011 David Ortiz† (6) Boston Red Sox .309 29 96 [8]
2012 Billy Butler Kansas City Royals .313 29 107 [43]
2013 David Ortiz† (7) Boston Red Sox .309 30 103 [44]
2014 Víctor Martínez Detroit Tigers .335 32 103 [45]
2015 Kendrys Morales Kansas City Royals .295 21 104 [46]
2016 David Ortiz† (8) Boston Red Sox .317 38 127 [47]
2017 Nelson Cruz* Seattle Mariners .288 39 119 [48]
2018 Khris Davis* Oakland Athletics .247 48 123 [49]
2019 Nelson Cruz* (2) Minnesota Twins .311 41 108 [50]
2020 Marcell Ozuna* Atlanta Braves .338 18 56 [51]
2021 Shohei Ohtani* Los Angeles Angels .257 46 100 [52]
2022 Shohei Ohtani* (2) Los Angeles Angels .273 34 95 [53]

See also

References
In-line citations
  1. Bastian, Jordan (December 15, 2009). "Lind named Outstanding DH of 2009". MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2009. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  2. "Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  3. Finnigan, Bob (October 3, 2004). "Edgar gives tip of the cap in tribute; M's fall to Rangers". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  4. "Edgar Martínez Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  5. "Ozuna named DH of Year in first look at role". MLB.com. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  6. Blum, Ronald (February 8, 2021). "MLB renews 7-inning doubleheaders, runners on 2nd in extras". Associated Press. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  7. Browne, Ian (December 4, 2007). "Ortiz wins Edgar Martinez Award". MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2011. David Ortiz ... was the winner of Major League Baseball's Edgar Martinez Award for the fifth straight year.
  8. Brown, Ian (December 7, 2011). "Papi's bounce-back season honored with award". MLB.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  9. McKelvey, G. Richard (2004). All bat, no glove: a history of the designated hitter. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. pp. 180–181. ISBN 0-7864-1944-X. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  10. "Shohei Ohtani Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  11. "Orlando Cepeda Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  12. "Tommy Davis Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  13. "Willie Horton Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  14. "Russell Knows Why". Eugene Register-Guard. Wire Service Reports. December 3, 1976. p. 2D. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  15. "Hal McRae Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  16. "Honor For Rice". Times-Union. United Press International. December 3, 1977. p. 15. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  17. "Jim Rice Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  18. "Rusty Staub Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  19. "Horton Comeback Player". Ludington Daily News. Associated Press. January 8, 1980. p. 8. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  20. "Greg Luzinski Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  21. "Sports Briefs". Lawrence Journal-World. Associated Press. November 30, 1982. p. 12. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  22. "Dave Kingman Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  23. Livingstone, Seth (June 23, 1986). "Red Sox host Yanks series". The Lewiston Journal. p. 1B. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  24. "Don Baylor Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  25. "Harold Baines Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  26. "Dave Parker Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  27. "Chili Davis Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  28. "Dave Winfield Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  29. "Paul Molitor Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  30. "Miranda, Brewers reach agreement on contract". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Associated Press. December 20, 1996. p. 12C. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  31. "Rafael Palmeiro Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  32. "Ellis Burks Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  33. McAdam, Sean (December 14, 2003). "Winter Baseball Meetings Notebook: A-Rod comments on TV stir up a hornets' nest". The Providence Journal. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  34. "David Ortiz Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  35. Horrigan, Jeff (December 12, 2004). "Baseball; Red Sox notebook; Francona on talk tour". Boston Herald. p. B.03. Retrieved September 28, 2011. (subscription required)
  36. "Boston's David Ortiz wins third straight Edgar Martinez Award" (Press release). Major League Baseball. December 21, 2005. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  37. "Boston's Ortiz captures fourth straight outstanding DH award". MLB.com (Press release). December 5, 2006. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  38. Fordin, Spencer (December 10, 2008). "Huff wins Outstanding DH Award". MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  39. "Aubrey Huff Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  40. "Adam Lind Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  41. Fordin, Spencer (November 24, 2010). "Vlad wins Edgar Martínez Award". MLB.com. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  42. "Vladimir Guerrero Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  43. Kaegel, Dick (December 4, 2012). "Butler earns Martinez Outstanding DH Award". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  44. "David Ortiz the unanimous choice for Edgar Martinez Outstanding DH Award". MLB.com. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  45. Beck, Jason (December 4, 2014). "V-Mart named Outstanding DH for first time". MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  46. Calcaterra, Craig (December 1, 2015). "Kendrys Morales wins the Edgar Martinez DH of the Year Award". NBC Sports. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  47. Snyder, Matt (November 30, 2016). "David Ortiz wins 8th Edgar Martinez DH award, three more than Edgar ever did". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  48. Divish, Ryan (November 30, 2017). "Mariners' Nelson Cruz voted as the 2017 Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter award winner". Seattle Times. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  49. "A's Khris Davis wins Edgar Martinez Award because he actually was a DH". Archived from the original on November 23, 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  50. "Twins' Nelson Cruz named MLB's Outstanding Designated Hitter". Twincities.com. December 2, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  51. "Marcell Ozuna becomes first National League player to win Designated Hitter of the Year award". Cbssports.com. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  52. "Ohtani wins 2021 Edgar Martinez DH Award". MLB.com. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  53. "Ohtani honored with 2nd straight Outstanding DH Award". MLB.com. Retrieved November 29, 2022.

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