Felix Anthony "Tippy" Martinez (born May 31, 1950) is an American former professional baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched 14 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 1974 and 1988, primarily as a relief pitcher. The majority of his career (1976–1986) was spent as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, where he was a member of 1983 World Series championship team.
Career Martinez was drafted by the Washington Senators in the 35th round of the 1969 amateur draft, but did not sign with the team. He began his MLB career with the New York Yankees in 1974 after signing as a free agent.
He was acquired along with Rick Dempsey, Scott McGregor, Rudy May and Dave Pagan by the Orioles for Ken Holtzman, Doyle Alexander, Elrod Hendricks, Grant Jackson and Jimmy Freeman at the trade deadline on 15 June 1976. He, Dempsey and McGregor became part of a nucleus that enabled the Orioles to continue as perennial contenders for the next decade, culminating with the 1983 World Series championship.Chass, Murray. "Players Swap Memories of Yankees-Orioles 10-Player Trade", The New York Times, Sunday 15 June 1986. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
Three pickoffs against Toronto A notable Martinez achievement during the 1983 season was picking off Barry Bonnell, Dave Collins and Willie Upshaw at first base in a single frame of a ten-inning 7–4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Memorial Stadium on August 24.100 Things Orioles Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Dan Connolly, Triumph Books, Chicago, 2015, ISBN 978-1-62937-041-5, p.188 The Orioles, having replaced both their starting catcher and his backup while rallying to tie the game in the ninth inning, entered the tenth with reserve infielder Lenn Sakata in the game at catcher. Three consecutive Blue Jays hitters reached first base and each one, thinking it would be easy to steal a base on Sakata, took a big lead. Martinez picked off all three baserunners, then became the winning pitcher when the Orioles won the game on Sakata's home run in the bottom of the tenth.Boswell, Thomas. "In Bizarre Finish, Orioles Winners," The Washington Post, Thursday, August 25, 1983. Retrieved August 2, 2023. 1983 playoffs He was on the mound when the Orioles clinched the division title in a 5–1 victory over the Brewers at Milwaukee County Stadium on September 25 and the pennant in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, earning a save and a win respectively."Orioles Clinch Eastern Title," United Press International (UPI), Monday, September 26, 1983. Retrieved August 2, 2023.Chass, Murray. "Orioles and Phillies Win; Will Play in World Series," The New York Times, Sunday, October 9, 1983. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
A grassroots fan club was created for Tippy Martinez near the bullpen in left field of Memorial Stadium in 1980, called "Tippy's Tweeters". Fans blew on an official Oriole Tweeter every time Martinez entered a game as a reliever, and when he struck out the side.
Martinez finished his MLB career with the Minnesota Twins in 1988. He posted a lifetime win–loss record of 55–42 with an ERA of 3.45. He also recorded 115 saves.
In December 2006, Martinez became the pitching coach of the York Revolution of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
See also List of Major League Baseball leaders in games finished
References
External links
Box score of the three-pickoff game, Aug. 24, 1983