Edgar Martinez, who won two batting titles with the Seattle Mariners, was appointed batting coach by the team on Saturday, general manager Jack Zduriencik announced.
Martinez, who was in uniform for Saturday night’s game against the Houston Astros, replaced Howard Johnson, who was reassigned to the Mariners’ minor-league system.
“Watching the club it had become apparent to me that we had reached the point that a change was necessary,” Zduriencik said. “I appreciate Howard Johnson’s professionalism and work ethic, but we simply were not getting the results that we expect and require.
“I have had the opportunity to observe Edgar over the past several years at Spring Training and working with our young hitters in the minor leagues. He is passionate and knowledgeable about hitting and understands the work that needs to be done to be successful as a big league hitter.
“His resume, desire to contribute at this time and ability to convey complex information about hitting is what drew us to this decision.”
Martinez, 52, has spent the last several seasons working as a guest hitting instructor for the Mariners at Spring Training, and had an extended schedule this year working in Seattle’s minor league system.
During an 18-year major-league career, all with the Mariners, Martinez posted a lifetime average of .311 with 514 doubles, 309 home runs and 1,261 runs batted in. He won American League batting titles in 1992 and 1995.
Upon his retirement, Major League Baseball re-named the DH of the Year Award the Edgar Martinez Award, and he was enshrined in the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2007.