Martinez thanks M’s fans for push into Cooperstown
Roy’s wife gives powerful HOF speech
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Mariners fans spent years pushing for Edgar Martinez, and they followed up that enthusiasm in person Sunday.
There were Martinez jerseys everywhere at Clark Sports Center as the prolif ic designated hitter was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame alongside Mariano Rivera, Mike Mussina, Harold Baines, Lee Smith and the late Roy Halladay.
“Seattle fans, thank you for always being there for me,” Martinez said during his speech. “Since 1987, you’ve gave me your unconditional support. And it was even more prevalent in these last 10 years. The support you gave me over social media really helped me get here today.
“Thank you, Mariners fans. You are the best fans I could ever hope for. I am so glad that I stayed with you till the end of my career. I love you, Seattle fans. Thank you.”
Martinez, who got into the Hall in his 10th and final year on the ballot with 85.4 percent of the vote, finished with 2,247 hits, 309 home runs and a .312 batting average. He was an on-base machine with a lifetime on-base percentage of .418 and was one of few hitters to have success against Rivera, going 11-for-19 lifetime against the legendary closer.
“I am honored and humbled to be standing here,” said Martinez, who was born in New York and grew up in Puerto Rico. “It is hard to believe that a dream that started when I was 10 years old [ended here]. The first time I saw Roberto Clemente all I wanted to do was play the game. What an honor to have my plaque in the Hall [of Fame] alongside his.” There was a moment of silence to remember Frank Robinson and Willie McCovey before Mussina’s speech began the festivities. The two Hall of Famers passed away since last year’s ceremony.
Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo and former boxer Roberto Duran were in attendance to honor Rivera, the second Panamanian player to enter the Hall of Fame. The first was Rod Carew.
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — The large crowd rose to its feet as Brandy Halladay, wiping tears from each cheek, stepped to the podium.
Roy Halladay’s wife had the unenviable task of making the speech for her late husband and she had plenty of support, helping her deliver the most emotional moments of the memorable day at Clark Sports Center.
“This is not my speech to give,” she said as her husband was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, along with Mariano Rivera, Harold Baines, Lee Smith, Mike Mussina and Edgar Martinez. “I’m going to do the best I can to say the things I believe Roy might have said or would’ve wanted to say if he was here today.”
She thrived, displaying the kind of poise under pressure her husband often showed on the mound. He died Nov. 7, 2017 when the plane he was piloting crashed into the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Clearwater, Fla., leaving behind sons Braden and Ryan for Brandy to raise.
“The amount of support that we have received over the last six months, the friends we have made, it’s absolutely amazing,” she said. “A special thanks to all these [elected Hall of Famers] behind me I can’t look at, because I’ll cry again. I can’t tell you how many hugs I’ve gotten. To all of your families who have extended so much love and friendship to myself and my children, I’m so grateful.
“Anybody who thinks baseball truly isn’t a family has never been involved in baseball.”
Roy Halladay made it into Cooperstown his first year on the ballot, receiving 85.4 percent of the votes from the 425 members of the Baseball Writers Association of America. He was a two-time Cy Young winner who pitched a perfect game, the second playoff nohitter ever and was selected to eight All-Star games. After a poor start to his career with the Blue Jays, Halladay reinvented himself by lowering his arm angle. Over 16 seasons, he went 203-105, with a 3.38 lifetime ERA and tossed 67 complete games.
Brandy thanked both teams Roy played for, the Blue Jays (19982009) and Phillies (2010-13), for sticking by him in tough times. The Blue Jays retired his No. 32 jersey, while his No. 34 with the Phillies hasn’t been worn since his passing. He goes into the Hall with a blank hat. She knows he would’ve wanted it that way, because of how much he enjoyed playing for both organizations. The teams thanked the family for that decision, which validated it.
“Evidence of their love for us and our love for them as well was shown all week as they came together as one to celebrate Roy, and that means the world to me,” she said.
Brandy ended her breathtaking speech by asking people to remember her husband for the person he was, not just the player. A generous, kind soul, a loving husband and doting father, who was also a wonderful baseball player.
“I think that Roy would want everyone to know that people are not perfect,” she said. “We are all imperfect and flawed in one way or another. We all struggle, but with hard work, humility and dedication, imperfect people can still have perfect moments.”