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Tippy Martinez

Felix Anthony (Tippy) Martínez (born May 31, 1950), was a lefthanded relief pitcher from 1974 to 1988. Most of his career (1976-1986) was spent with the Baltimore Orioles, where he is still remembered as one of the team's most popular players.

Martinez also played for the New York Yankees (1974-76), and Minnesota Twins (1988). He posted a lifetime won-lost record of 55-42 with an ERA of 3.45.

Martinez may be best known for picking three Toronto Blue Jays off first base in one inning during a 1983 game at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. The Orioles, having replaced both their starting catcher and his backup while rallying to tie the game in the ninth inning, entered the tenth with reserve infielder Lenn Sakata in the game at catcher. Three consecutive Blue Jay hitters reached first base and each one, thinking it would be easy to steal a base on Sakata, took a big lead. Martinez picked off all three runners and then became the winning pitcher when the Orioles won the game on Sakata's home run in the bottom of the tenth.

Last updated: 05-21-2005 01:18:34