For the fifth time in his Major League career, and fourth time as a member of the Boston Red Sox, Nova Southeastern Shark Hall of Famer J.D. Martinez has been selected to represent the American League in the 2022 MLB All-Star game in Los Angeles, Ca. Martinez is the third player from the Red Sox to be named to the AL All-Star team, joining Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts.
Entering play on Thursday, Martinez currently ranks sixth in the AL in batting average (0.309), second in doubles (29), and ninth in on-base + slugging percentage (0.880). Among designated hitters in the American League, Martinez leads in hits (94), batting average, doubles, and is second in on-base percentage (0.375).
During his time as a Shark, Martinez played under the tutelage of then-head coach and current Director of Athletics and Associate Vice President for Advancement, Michael Mominey. Martinez finished his Sharks career holding a 0.394 batting average and hit 32 home runs. As a junior in 2009, Martinez hit 0.428, with 15 home runs. Additionally, he earned Rawlings/ABCA All-American honors, making both the All-Sunshine State Conference and the All-South Region teams. Following his junior campaign, Martinez was selected in the 20th round of the MLB draft. Martinez was inducted into the NSU Sharks Hall of Fame in 2014.
"Playing in the mid-summer classic is the ultimate individual recognition as a Major League Baseball player," stated Mominey. "For J.D. to be selected for the fifth time is truly amazing and solidifies his place as one of the best in the game- maybe one of the best players in the recent era."
Martinez became the first Nova Southeastern Shark to reach the major leagues, making his debut on July 30, 2011, for the Houston Astros against the Milwaukee Brewers and first made the All-Star team in 2015 as a member of the Detroit Tigers.
Mominey added, "we are certainly proud of J.D. and all of his accomplishments as a big leaguer, but most of all, he has been a great representative and ambassador for NSU and all of South Florida, who has never forgotten where he's come from."
The slugger signed with the Red Sox as a free agent before the 2018 season and has enjoyed some of the best years of his professional career. During his Red Sox tenure, Martinez has averaged a slash line of .299/0.370/0.542, while hitting 123 home runs, 157 doubles, and driving in 399 runs, while making the All-Star team in 2018, 2019, and 2021.
Martinez made baseball history in 2018, becoming the first player to win the American League Silver Slugger Award at two positions (Outfield and Designated Hitter) in the same season.
The 2022 "Midsummer Classic" will take place in Los Angeles, Ca., on Tuesday, July 19, from Dodger Stadium. This marks the third time the All-Star game has been played in Los Angeles and the first time at Dodger Stadium since 1980.
The 92nd annual All-Star game is available to watch on Fox beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19.
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