J.D. Martinez hasn’t formally retired from baseball, however he’s already planning a post-retirement pivot to pickleball. Desk tennis and pickleball tools producer JOOLA introduced a sponsorship contract Tuesday, detailing the free agent DH’s intention to compete in aggressive pickleball when his baseball profession involves an finish.
With JOOLA, Martinez will obtain coaching, in addition to backing for skilled occasions and tournaments hosted by the slugger himself. In accordance with the discharge, Martinez has began coaching with professional Eric White.
“I see pickleball as a sport I’ll be involved in for the long run,” Martinez mentioned in an announcement on JOOLA’s web site. “And JOOLA’s commitment to the sport and my personal growth in the game makes this partnership even more special.”
This doesn’t essentially come as a shock contemplating Martinez typically talked about his love of pickleball and his need to play competitively. After the Mets had been eradicated from the postseason by the Los Angeles Dodgers final fall, the 37-year-old, 14-year MLB veteran was requested what may come subsequent for him. Martinez answered rapidly, saying “Pickleball.” He made it clear that he wish to proceed enjoying baseball however was conscious that the choice is considerably out of his management.
“If it happens, it happens; if it doesn’t, I’ll go from there,” Martinez mentioned in Los Angeles in October. “It’s one of those things where. I’m not going to come back because I’m begging to come back. That doesn’t make sense. Time is the most valuable thing and it’s got to be worth the time.”
Martinez’s first youngster, a daughter, was born in September. He spent only some days together with her earlier than rejoining the Mets for the top of the common season and a playoff run that noticed them take the Dodgers into six video games within the NLCS. Martinez struggled on the plate after his return from paternity go away, recording solely three hits over 45 at-bats in 13 video games in what he known as a “streak of bad luck.” The Mets continued with the DH platoon of Martinez and left-handed hitter Jesse Winker within the postseason, however Winker acquired the majority of the at-bats.
Martinez completed the season hitting .235 with a .725 OPS, his second-lowest mark in a full season of play since 2012. Nonetheless, he proved priceless to the Mets in his one season in Queens, hitting 16 dwelling runs, together with some key homers in the summertime to assist the Amazin’s keep within the combine for a postseason place.
Twice, Martinez has signed free agent contracts after the beginning of spring coaching. It was irritating sufficient that he had ideas of retirement, however in the end, he signed a one-year $12 million contract with heavy deferrals shortly earlier than Opening Day. Martinez joined the Mets in late April and rapidly grew to become a valued veteran voice within the clubhouse.
A six-time All-Star and a World Sequence champion with the Boston Purple Sox, Martinez efficiently turned himself into one of many sport’s high hitters after being launched by the Houston Astros early in his profession. If that is the top, he’s at peace and able to transfer on to pickleball.
“If it is, what a great year of a great career,” Martinez mentioned. “Nothing to hold my head down over.”
