Martinez remembers days with Scrappers

The Indians' new star has fond memories of that 1999 season.
By KURT SNYDER
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CLEVELAND -- Victor Martinez's journey in the major leagues has just begun, and he already has an All-Star appearance under his belt.
But the journey for the Indians catcher through the minor leagues would not have been complete without a stop in Niles with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Playing in his third professional season in the Indians organization but in his first in the United States, Martinez hit .277 with four home runs and 36 RBIs for the Scrappers while being named to the New York-Penn League All-Star Team in 1999, the Scrappers first year in existence.
Martinez said he looks back fondly on that year in Mahoning Valley.
"That was a great time for me," he said. "I did really good at the plate, and I really liked all of the fans."
Martinez is now hitting .307 with 17 home runs and 78 RBIs after a 2-for-4 game Wednesday night. He said Mahoning Valley was a new experience because he had never played in front of large crowds.
First big crowds
"I remember I was really nervous because that was my first time that I played in front of 7,000 people," he said.
Just as Martinez reminisces about spending a season with the Scrappers, the favor is returned. This season, the Scrappers have centered several promotions around Martinez's productive stint with the team. The Scrappers have given away Martinez T-shirts and coupled Martinez with Sabathia in a nesting doll giveaway.
Jim Riley, director of marketing and promotions for the Scrappers, said the team has to promote players such as Martinez because many current players do not remain with the Scrappers long enough to be immediately marketable. He said customers who ordered mini-ticket packages before the season received an autographed Martinez baseball.
Bonded with Sabathia
Indians left-hander pitcher C.C. Sabathia pitched in six games at Mahoning Valley in 1999. He said he and Martinez developed a bond that remained as they moved through the system.
"Victor caught me at Mahoning Valley, and I think we definitely connected there," he said.
Martinez said that bond and similar ones with teammates eased his transition to the big leagues over the last two years.
"It's one of those things that will make you feel more comfortable on the field and even in the clubhouse," he said.
ksnyder@vindy.com