Víctor Martínez

Víctor Jesús Martínez (born December 23, 1978) is a Major League Baseball catcher and switch-hitter who plays for the Cleveland Indians.

Related Topics:
December 23 - 1978 - Major League Baseball - Catcher - Switch-hitter - Cleveland Indians

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Martínez was born in Ciudad Bolívar, Bolívar State, Venezuela. He was signed by Cleveland as an amateur free agent in 1996. After a pair of minor league MVP awards and batting titles in 2001-02, he made his debut with Cleveland at the end of 2002.

Related Topics:
Ciudad Bolívar - Venezuela - MVP - 2002

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In 2003, Martínez was busiest between Triple-A Buffalo Bisons and the Indians. He finished with a combined .315 batting average, hitting at a .349 clip in August and September with the big club. Exhibiting knowledge of the strike zone and an ability to make contact, he reduced his strikeout totals and produced a combined .376 on base percentage. He also drove in 63 runs, hitting .323 with runners in scoring position, and was selected to participate in the All-Star Futures Game played at Chicago's U.S. Cellular Field. From 2001-03, the Venezuelan slugger batted a combined .330 with 40 home runs and 194 runs batted in.

Related Topics:
2003 - Buffalo Bisons - Batting average - Strikeout - On base percentage - Drove in - Chicago - U.S. Cellular Field - Home run - Runs batted in

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Showing defensive improvement, Martínez displayed an ability to call games at the major league level and began 2004 as the Indians' No. 1 catcher. In his first full-season he did a fine job defensively, and hitting a .283 batting average with 23 homers and 108 RBI. He also earned his first All-Star selection, and shared the Silver Slugger honor as the top-hitting American League catcher with Ivan Rodriguez. For the first time since the awards began in 1980, there was a tie at one position. It was the seventh recognition for Rodriguez, the first for Martínez.

Related Topics:
2004 - Batting average - All-Star - Silver Slugger - American League - Ivan Rodriguez

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Considered one of baseball's top all-around catching prospects, Martínez is a career .288 hitter with 43 home runs and 192 RBI in 318 games.

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Fact

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• On July 16, 2004 Martínez hit 3 home runs, singled twice, drew a walk, and drove in a career-high seven runs in a perfect 5-for-5 game, recorded his first career multi-homer game, as the Indians belted eight homers-21 hits in an 18-6 rout of the Seattle Mariners
 
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