Domingo Martínez (baseball)

He was expected to become the team's cleanup batter, replacing Kazuhiro Kiyohara, who had signed with the Yomiuri Giants. He went on to play the entire season as the team's designated hitter, batting .305 with 31 home runs and 108 RBIs. He was recognized for his standout hitting with a Best Nine award in 1997, and his round appearance made him a popular figure among fans, who gave him the nickname Maruchan. He continued his success the following year, hitting 30 homers and driving in 95 runs, but was not re-signed following the 1998 season. The Lions would miss Martínez's presence in the lineup in 1999, as the poor performances of his foreign replacements in Greg Blosser and Alan Zinter, and the team's overall lack of power, were significant factors in the Lions not winning their third straight Pacific League title.

Martínez spent the beginning of 1999 playing in the

He hit well again for the Giants in 2000, putting together a .288 average with 17 home runs and 64 RBIs. Injuries and weight problems relegated Martinez to a bench role in 2001, and he batted just .237 with 10 homers and 27 RBIs. Martinez retired after his contract expired at the end of 2001, and he later joined the Central League's Chunichi Dragons as a scout in 2006.

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
• Nippon Professional Baseball career statistics