Sodo Mojo’s Hall of Fame Ballot Series, Part 1

Vote 1- Edgar Martinez

Come on. Did you seriously think a website dedicated to the Seattle Mariners could possibly leave Edgar Martinez off their ballot. The rationale is incredibly simple: Edgar Martinez was one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball during his 18 year career.

Martinez’s career .418 OBP ranks 19th in MLB history. Edgar Martinez made fewer outs than all but 18 players in MLB history (10 season minimum). That alone makes him a Hall of Famer. Need more convincing? His .516 slugging percentage ranks 69th All-Time, as does his Offensive WAR.

Martinez is also one of only 9 players to record a .300 batting average with 500 doubles, 300 home runs, 1000 walks, and a .400 OBP. The other eight? Lou Gehrig, Todd Helton, Rogers Hornsby, Chipper Jones, Stan Musial, Manny Ramirez, Babe Ruth, and Ted Williams.

Edgar is also one of just 13 players to win multiple batting titles and at least 3 OBP titles since 1901. Some will argue that Martinez’s prime wasn’t long enough. I suppose these morons don’t consider having the 5th highest WAR in the majors over a 10 year stretch, from 1990-2000.

Let me be perfectly clear, so there is no confusing to my meaning: Anybody who tells you Edgar Martinez is not a Hall of Famer player is an unrelenting moron. Cut them loose. You don’t need that stupidity in you life.