Mariners Legend Edgar Martinez Finally Claiming his Rightful Place

In a dismal year for the Seattle Mariners, there will be a reason to celebrate this weekend as franchise icon Edgar Martinez will finally take his rightful place amongst the immortals of the game, forever enshrined in Cooperstown.

After 10 long years of waiting, Seattle Mariners fans are ready to celebrate and explode with delight as the franchises greatest hero finally joins Ken Griffey Jr. and Dave Niehaus in the immortal halls of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

It is a day that seemed bleak just 5-years ago. It seemed even bleaker 3 years ago. And yet, here we stand, ready to watch history. For the path of Edgar Martinez to the Baseball Hall of Fame was really no different than the path he took towards the big leagues; a slow, wandering path that had many setbacks in the early going.

But through it all, Edgar took it in stride with confident humility he exhumed during his entire career. The humblest of men, secure in his place in history but quietly grinding his way to the top of the mountain.

No player makes it to the hall of fame alone and we can expect Edgar to remind us of this fact. From his teammates like Jay Buhner, Ken Griffey Jr. and Dan Wilson, to his manager Lou Piniella, and of course, his wife Holly and his family, the journey to Cooperstown, not one made alone.

But this Sunday, the spotlight belongs to Edgar Martinez, the man who spent so much of his career staying away from it. But as he reaches the podium and the eyes of fans from around the world fall on him, many eyes in Seattle will be filled with tears.

And as the chants of “Eeeeeddddd-Garrrr” fill the lawns of Cooperstown, the thousands of fans will look back an reflect on the true face of Mariners history. The Double, the Grand Slam, 500 doubles, the discerning eye, the kindness, and the joy he brought us fans will all flood our minds and remind us for a moment what it was like to be children.

Now, we can go on and on about the greatness of Edgar, but that wouldn’t be fitting this weekend. For this weekend is not about long, rambling, articles and “look at me” post. No, this weekend is about Edgar. And like Edgar, we will keep this brief and just say this:

There is nothing we can do to repay you for your 18-years of service to this city, state, region, fanbase, and baseball team. You make me proud to be a Mariners fan and you’ll forever hold a special place in my heart. Thank you, Papi, for everything. And may your long-awaited day in the sun be everything you dreamt of.