Martinez prepared for speech 30 years in making

If there’s one thing Edgar Martinez is known for, it’s his calm, cool approach. He’d never show nerves, even in the biggest at-bats of his career.

So, it might come as a shock to find out that the stoic Martinez will have some jitters when he takes the podium Sunday in Cooperstown, N.Y. as the newest inductee of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

“I know I will be nervous,” Martinez said.

But just as he was in his big league career, he won’t shy away from the challenge.

It’s a challenge that seemed almost impossible when he arrived from Dorado, Puerto Rico, to Bellingham, Wash. in 1983. A 20-year-old third baseman, Martinez signed with the Seattle Mariners in 1982 knowing “just a few words in English.” Now arguably the greatest designated hitter of all time will take the stage and give a speech in his second language.

“If you asked me that 30 years ago, that would never happen,” Martinez said with a laugh.

Sure, he struggled with the English language, but his first season in professional baseball was a challenge on the field, too. Martinez was born in New York, but he moved with his grandparents to Dorado at two years old. He grew up in Puerto Rico. He had to adapt to a new language and a new culture all while also trying to thrive on the baseball field. He hit only .173 with the Bellingham Mariners in that first season and had a lowly .930 fielding percentage.

“It’s hard to believe that I’m going into the Hall of Fame,” Martinez said.

It was a long shot. Longer than any of the 309 home runs Martinez hit in his career. You don’t go through all that to reach the Hall of Fame and hope to just get on base with your speech. No, Martinez is hoping to knock his speech out of the park. So, Martinez, like any at-bat of his career, is taking his time to prepare and perfect his speech.

The man who studied Wade Boggs, George Brett, Tony Gwynn Jr. and Don Mattingly while he was a major leaguer is making sure that his speech can match his sweet swing.

He’s been writing and rewriting his speech for more than a month now. He’s confident that “it’s pretty done.” Now it’s in the practice stages. If there’s one thing Martinez prides himself on, it’s his attention to detail and rhythm. So, nailing down the speech shouldn’t be a problem. When he made the switch to becoming a full-time designated hitter, Martinez developed a routine in place so that the mental side of the game didn’t get to him.

“(I was) paying more attention to the game, the future and the game situation and also anticipating situations,” Martinez said.

He’ll take a similar approach in the delivery of his induction speech.

Yes, there’ll be some nerves, but Martinez will treat Sunday’s induction ceremony like any other at-bat.

Well, except maybe one.

Martinez still remembers that 1983 season in Bellingham; specifically, his first at-bat.

“The first time I came to play at the rookie league in Bellingham, that was nerve-wracking,” Martinez said.

And, if he can overcome that and reach the Hall of Fame, he’s confident that he can handle that speech in English. That’s something he could never have imagined when he was struggling in Bellingham.

“I’m up to the challenge,” Martinez said.

Who could doubt him?

Fellow Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda has one piece of advice.

“Stand there,” Cepeda said, “and talk from your heart.”

Featured Image: Stephen Brashear / Getty Images Sport