RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Orlando "Marty" Martinez was a professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. He was born on November 7, 1948, in Oxnard, California, and began his baseball career in the minor leagues in 1967.
Martinez made his MLB debut in 1978 with the San Francisco Giants, where he played for two seasons.
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Orlando "Marty" Martinez was a professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. He was born on November 7, 1948, in Oxnard, California, and began his baseball career in the minor leagues in 1967.
Throughout his career, Martinez was known for his versatility as a pitcher, as he could pitch both as a starter and a reliever. He had a career record of 68 wins and 75 losses, with an earned run average (ERA) of 4.00. He also recorded 16 saves and struck out 704 batters in 1,305 innings pitched.
One of Martinez's most memorable moments in his career came in 1983 when he pitched a no-hitter for the Cubs against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He retired all 27 batters he faced, becoming the first Cubs pitcher to throw a no-hitter since 1972.
After retiring from baseball, Martinez worked as a pitching coach for several minor league teams, including the Cedar Rapids Kernels, the Burlington Bees, and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. He also worked as a scout for the Angels and the Seattle Mariners.
Martinez passed away on March 4, 2021, at the age of 72. He is remembered as a talented and versatile pitcher who made significant contributions to the teams he played for and the sport of baseball as a whole.
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The 1969 season witnessed the debut of two expansion teams, the Houston Astros and the...
Houston Astros vs Montreal Expos - Joe Morgan - Radio Broadcast / The 1969 season witnessed the debut of two expansion teams, the Houston Astros and the Montreal Expos, who embarked on their inaugural campaigns in Major League Baseball. Both teams faced numerous challenges as they sought to establish themselves in the league. The month of August proved to be a critical juncture in their respective journeys.
For the Houston Astros, August marked a period of significant improvement and progress. Despite a slow start to the season, they showed resilience and determination, steadily improving their performance in the summer months. Led by talented players such as Joe Morgan and Jimmy Wynn, the Astros began to find their footing and make their presence felt in the league. While the playoffs remained out of reach, their August surge provided hope for a brighter future.
Meanwhile, the Montreal Expos encountered a more arduous season. As an expansion team, they faced the challenges of building a competitive roster from scratch. In August, the Expos struggled to maintain consistency, battling with their lack of experience and depth. Despite the hardships, the team displayed flashes of potential, thanks to players like Rusty Staub and Ron Fairly, who showcased their abilities and hinted at a promising future.
The 1969 season allowed both the Houston Astros and the Montreal Expos to lay the foundation for their future endeavors in Major League Baseball. While the Astros demonstrated signs of growth and improvement in August, the Expos endured their share of challenges as they navigated their inaugural season. Their journey in 1969 laid the groundwork for their development into integral components of the league's landscape in the years to come.
