Former Orioles outfielder Chito Martinez, the primary and nonetheless solely MLB participant from Belize, has died, the workforce introduced on Tuesday.
He was 59.
“We mourn the passing of former Orioles outfielder Chito Martinez, the only native of Belize to play in the majors,” the Orioles stated in an announcement on X.
1991 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. Getty Photographs
Although an official reason for loss of life was not introduced, Crescent Metropolis Sports activities reported that Martinez suffered a coronary heart assault.
A GoFundMe web page set as much as assist his household stated Martinez had a “series of hospitalizations” over the previous few weeks and died on Sunday.
“As a ballplayer myself growing up, I never had his talent but I always looked up to him,” his brother, Robbie, instructed Crescent Metropolis Sports activities. “They called Chito ‘Mex’ and called me ‘Little Mex.’ He introduced me to baseball. I worshipped those guys in 1983 and 1984 at Brother Martin. Even more, he taught me about life, about how to be a dad, about golf, above and beyond baseball.”
Martinez, born in Belize in 1965, immigrated to New Orleans along with his household when he was 2 years previous.
He starred at Brother Martin Excessive College and was then drafted by the Royals within the sixth spherical of the 1984 MLB Draft.
Sox on Could 13, 1991 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. Getty Photographs
After six years within the minor leagues with Kansas Metropolis, he caught on with the Orioles and made his MLB debut in 1991.
Throughout his rookie season, he smacked 13 homers with 33 RBIs and an .817 OPS.
Sox on July 8, 1992 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. Getty Photographs
Martinez performed two extra seasons within the massive leagues, ending with a .259/.330/.445 slash line and 18 lengthy balls.
“Our hearts go out to the family of Crusader Baseball legend Chito Martinez ‘84,” Brother Martin’s baseball program wrote on X..
“Please pray for them during this difficult time.”
