Edgar Martínez Award
Videos
Page
The Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, commonly referred to as the Edgar Martínez Award and originally known as the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, has been presented annually to the most outstanding designated hitter (DH) in Major League Baseball (MLB) since 1973. The award is voted on by club beat reporters, broadcasters, and public relations departments. The Associated Press discontinued the award in 2000, but it was picked up by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, which has administered it since. All players with a minimum of 100 at bats at DH are eligible. From the award's inception in 1973 until 2019, and in 2021, use of the designated hitter was allowed only in the American League (AL).
The award was renamed in honor of Edgar Martínez, a five-time winner, upon his retirement.
Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda was the first winner of the award.
David Ortiz won the award eight times.
Designated hitter
Videos
Page
The designated hitter (DH) is a baseball player who bats in place of another position player, most commonly the pitcher.
Edgar Martínez, who spent most of his career as the full-time designated hitter for the Seattle Mariners, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.