Sure Tino Martinez knows the Marlins are saying goodbye to three of their biggest names, including the electric Jose Reyes.
Still, the ex-Yankee says he has no second thoughts about recently accepting the job as Miami’s hitting coach.
In fact, Martinez says that working for a team paring payroll and going younger is an even better situation for a first-year coach who is learning his craft.
“Jeffrey Loria (the Marlins’ owner) told me that they were going to clear some more payroll and go really young and rebuild,” Martinez said in a telephone interview. “I thought it was a great opportunity to work with a young group of guys and teach them not just hitting, but how to be a major leaguer and work hard every day.
“It’s a good time to really make a difference in their careers. I think, for me, it’s an even better opportunity to teach.”
Martinez says he’s not bothered by the criticism that Loria and the Marlins are getting after agreeing to send five major-leaguers, including Reyes, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle, to Toronto for Yunel Escobar, Adeiny Hechevarria, Henderson Alvarez, Jeff Mathis and three prospects.
“We knew the game plan going in,” Martinez said. “The criticism is part of the game at this stage, but once the games are played and the team puts on a great effort every day and wins some games, that all goes away.”
That, of course, remains to be seen. But Martinez, who turns 45 next month, certainly sounds genuinely excited about his first coaching gig. Martinez spent 16 years in the majors, becoming a fan favorite in the Bronx as part of four World Series winners. In his career, which started with the Mariners and included stints with the Cardinals and Rays, he hit 339 homers with a .271 career average and a .471 slugging percentage.
He retired after the 2005 season and tried broadcasting and even toyed with the idea of front-office work, all while resisting the urge to get back on the field. With two of Martinez’s three kids in college now, coaching became more appealing to him, and his work as a guest instructor with the Yankees in spring training over the past five years convinced him he was ready.
So when Loria, with whom Martinez has become friendly over the years, called about the job, Martinez was smitten with the idea.
Martinez says he learned, in part, from working with Yankee hitting coach Kevin Long during spring stints. He plans on picking Long’s brain throughout his first year.
The Red Sox pursued Martinez, too, and he had several conversations with new Boston manager John Farrell. Dustin Pedroia even made a recruiting call, and Martinez said he was “very impressed” with the Red Sox.
Had Martinez ended up working full-time at Fenway, it probably would’ve sent shockwaves through Yankeeland, and Martinez understands he likely would’ve heard unfamiliar boos at the Stadium if he donned Sox colors.
“I did think about that,” he said. “But I also hoped (fans) would understand my point of view, too, that that would’ve been a great opportunity for me. I looked at it as my playing days are over and I wouldn’t be hitting home runs for the Red Sox against the Yankees, I’d be coaching players.”
Instead, Martinez is like countless other New York-types — headed to Miami.
“I’m not going to invent the game or invent hitting,” Martinez said. “I’m going to pass on my knowledge and make them better players. The time is right and I’m very excited about it.”
