TTM Stats
- Sent: 8/6/2019 | Received: 8/14/2019 | 8 Days
- ’78 Topps, ’79 Topps, ’87 Topps (2)
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Tippy Martinez is a former pitcher in the major leagues. He worked mostly as a relief pitcher for the Yankees, Orioles and Twins from 1974 though 1988.
Martinez was born and raised in Colorado. In 1969, the Washington Senators drafted him in the 35th round but he didn’t sign with them. His major league career began when he signed with the Yankees in 1974 as a free agent. His first appearance was on August 9, 1974. He played from 1974 though mid-1976 with the Yankees until a major trade with the Orioles.
On June 15, 1976, the Yankees traded Martinez, Rick Dempsey, Rudy May, Scott McGregor, and Dave Pagan to the Orioles for Doyle Alexander, Jimmy Freeman, Elrod Hendricks, Ken Holtzman and Grant Jackson. Much of that trade for the Orioles would be part of their 1983 World Championship team.
A couple fun things about Tippy…. First, he had a supporter group at Memorial Stadium in 1980 called “Tippy’s Tweeters” and would blow on an Oriole Tweeter when he came in the game. Second, he once picked off three batters in one inning. Lenn Sakata came in as an emergency catcher and the Blue Jays thought it would be easy to steal. They took big leads and it would have been true if Tippy didn’t attempt pickoffs.
The Score on Tippy Martinez – 6.0
Tippy has a signature that is really full of action. The “T” is just the beginning and then his last name looks pretty crazy. I love the look of the ’79 card and then the ’87 card. He almost looks like a different person.
Thanks Mr. Martinez! I’m giving these a 6.
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.