Dennis Martínez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dennis Martínez |
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Martínez in 1983
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: May 14, 1955 Granada, Nicaragua |
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| debut | |||
| September 14, 1976, for the Baltimore Orioles | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 27, 1998, for the Atlanta Braves | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 245–193 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.70 | ||
| Strikeouts | 2,149 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 2016 | ||
José Dennis Martínez Ortiz (born May 14, 1955), known as "El Presidente" (which means "The President"), is a famous former baseball pitcher from Nicaragua. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for many teams, including the Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos, from 1976 to 1998. He is especially famous for throwing a perfect game in 1991. He was also chosen as an All-Star four times. Dennis Martínez was the very first player from Nicaragua to play in the major leagues.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Dreams
Dennis Martínez was born in Granada, Nicaragua. He was the youngest of seven children. His family was not rich, and he helped his parents on their farm.
A baseball scout from the Baltimore Orioles, Ray Poitevint, discovered Dennis on December 10, 1973. He signed with the Orioles for $3,000. Before playing in the major leagues, Dennis spent three years playing for smaller teams in the minor leagues. He showed great talent, winning many games.
A Long and Successful Career
Dennis Martínez played for 23 years in Major League Baseball. He is known for his skill and determination.
Starting with the Baltimore Orioles (1976–1986)
Dennis Martínez made his big league debut on September 14, 1976. He played against the Detroit Tigers. He pitched very well, helping his team win the game. This gave him his first career victory.
In his early years with the Orioles, Dennis became a strong pitcher. In 1978, he won 16 games. He pitched many innings and had many strikeouts. He even pitched in the playoffs in 1979.
During this time, Dennis faced some personal challenges. He worked hard to overcome them. This dedication helped him focus even more on his baseball career. In 1985, he earned his 100th career win. He pitched a complete game, meaning he pitched the entire game without needing another pitcher to help.
Moving to the Montreal Expos (1986–1993)
In 1986, Dennis Martínez was traded to the Montreal Expos. This was a new start for him. After a short time in the minor leagues, he joined the Expos in June 1987. He quickly became one of their best pitchers.
In 1988, Dennis was the starting pitcher for the Expos on Opening Day. He continued to pitch well, winning 15 games that year. Fans in Montreal even had a special hot dog named after him, called the Denny Dog!
Becoming an All-Star and Pitching a Perfect Game
The years 1990 to 1992 were very special for Dennis. He was chosen to be an All-Star three years in a row. This means he was recognized as one of the best pitchers in baseball.
On July 28, 1991, Dennis Martínez made history. He pitched a perfect game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In a perfect game, no batter from the other team reaches base. This means no hits, no walks, and no errors. It was the 13th perfect game in MLB history. He was also the first Latin American pitcher to achieve this amazing feat. That year, he also led the league with the lowest ERA, which shows how few runs he allowed.
In 1993, Dennis reached another milestone. He earned his 200th career win. He also became one of only a few pitchers to win 100 games in both the American League and the National League.
Playing for the Cleveland Indians (1994–1996)
After leaving the Expos, Dennis Martínez joined the Cleveland Indians in 1994. He was the starting pitcher for the first game ever played at the new Jacobs Field in Cleveland. He continued to pitch very well, helping the Indians become a strong team.
In 1995, Dennis helped the Indians reach the World Series. This was his first time playing in the World Series. He pitched in several important playoff games. Although the Indians didn't win the World Series, it was a great achievement for Dennis.
In 1996, Dennis was 41 years old, making him the oldest active pitcher in the American League.
Final Years (1997–1998)
Dennis Martínez played for the Seattle Mariners in 1997. He then finished his career with the Atlanta Braves in 1998. He made several appearances in the playoffs for the Braves that year. His final game was on October 14, 1998.
After the season, Dennis decided to retire from baseball. He had achieved so much in his long career. He held the record for the most wins by a Latin American pitcher for many years. He finished his career with 245 wins, 2,149 strikeouts, and a 3.70 earned run average. He is truly one of the greatest Latin American pitchers of all time.
Life After Baseball
After retiring, Dennis Martínez continued to be involved in baseball. In 2002, he was honored by being inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame. He has also worked as a coach for different baseball teams, helping new players.
A baseball stadium in Managua, Nicaragua's capital city, was named after him in 1998. This showed how much he was admired in his home country. However, the stadium's name was later changed.
In 2016, Dennis Martínez was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. He also manages a foundation, the Dennis Martínez Foundation, which helps children around the world.
Career Highlights
- 4-time All-Star (1990, 1991, 1992, 1995)
- Led the league in wins (1981)
- Led the league in ERA (1991)
- Pitched the 13th perfect game in baseball history (July 28, 1991)
- Inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame (2016)
- Most career wins by a Latin American pitcher (245 wins, a record he held for many years)
See also
In Spanish: Dennis Martínez para niños
- Pitchers who have thrown a perfect game
- List of players from Nicaragua in Major League Baseball
- List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders
