Edgar Martinez Moves Closer To Hall Of Fame

SEATTLE, WA - In his eighth year of eligibility on the Hall of Fame ballot, it appears Edgar Martinez is getting close to a spot in the Hall of Fame. According to stats from analyst Ryan Thibodaux, Martinez's vote total has jumped 19.2 percent since last year, reaching 66.3 percent total. Players need to appear on 75 percent of ballots for entrance into Cooperstown.

The former designated hitter is reaching the end of his eligibility for the Hall of Fame, which is capped at 10 years. The electors to the Hall of Fame include members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

"Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez and future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera called Edgar the toughest hitter they faced," MLB.com said.

Martinez spent his entire 18-year career with the Seattle Mariners and is now a hitting coach for the team. He was a two-time AL batting champion, five-time Silver Slugger and seven-time all star.

Martinez is remembered well for his playoff performance in 1995 against the New York Yankees, when he .571. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Seattle Patch, click here to find your local Washington Patch. Also, follow us on Facebook, and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Image via Getty Images/Stephen Breshear