DETROIT -- Gratified and moved by his farewell Saturday at Comerica Park, Victor Martinez wanted to let know fans he appreciated them -- all of them.
And that includes fans who had been critical of him, or fans that he had criticized during some of the stormier moments of his seven seasons in Detroit.
"I want them to know they made me a better player and a better person," Martinez said after Saturday's game, the 1,973rd and final one of his career in the big leagues.
The farewell could hardly have been scripted any better. At his request, Martinez started at first base on Saturday for the first time since June 1, 2016.