This Thread About Young Edgar Martinez's Defense Proves He Was So Much More Than a DH

The 2019 MLB Hall of Fame Induction Weekend kicks off on Friday, with Mariano Rivera, Roy Halladay, Mike Mussina, Harold Baines, Lee Smith, and Edgar Martinez officially being inducted on Sunday, July 21.

Martinez is considered one of the greatest hitters of his generation, but some diminish his legacy since he was mostly used as a DH throughout his career with the Seattle Mariners. Though many view him as a bad defensive player, this Twitter thread proves Martinez was not solely an offensive force, and was mainly a defensive standout before chronic injuries took their toll.

Going down an Edgar Martinez internet hole, because obviously. Here's a little blurb on him from the Seattle Times in August 1985. The quote is from Jeff Scott, then the Mariner's director of player development. pic.twitter.com/dX2C4LPWza
— Amanda Lane Cumming (@MarinerMandy) July 19, 2019

In 1987, Bill Haywood, the Mariners Director of Player Development at the time, described Martinez as a player whose "glove is his strength." In fact, Martinez' "superb glove" at third base potentially may not have been enough for Seattle to play him in 1988, as the team was looking for more offensive production.

Martinez only logged 14 games in 1988, most coming in September as a call-up. However, his offensive potential showed, with a 281./351/.406 slash line and only seven strikeouts in 32 at-bats.

Boston Red Sox v Seattle Mariners / Abbie Parr/Getty Images

Martinez is remembered as a DH by the record books and fans, but the narrative that he was an awful fielder is clearly false. Martinez finished his career with 2,247 hits, 309 home runs and 1,261 RBI as one of Seattle's main run-producers for over a decade. This weekend, Martinez will finally take his place amongst the games all-time greats.