The Mariners came out with some pretty stunning news Saturday afternoon – Edgar Martinez has been named Major League hitting coach.
The stunner wasn't that Howard Johnson had been re-assigned in the organization, as hitting coaches are are typically the first to fall when the offense struggles. Who his replacement was, though – well, that was one of the bigger surprises I have heard in many years covering this team.
Edgar Martinez. Owner of a lifetime .312/.418/.515/.933 line and the man the designated hitter award has been named after. The same player Pedro Martinez and Mariano Rivera declared to be the toughest hitter they ever faced.