Edgar Gets An 800-Foot Lined Drive

SEATTLE - Denny. Mercer. Terry. Yesler.

Those are all popular street names that signify the families that helped put Seattle on the map, both figuratively and literally, way back when.

Now, add another one to the list:

Edgar.

The man who helped put Seattle Mariners baseball on the map will be getting his own street named after him as well.

On Friday, Seattle mayor Greg Nickels announced that while Edgar Martinez might be retiring Sunday, his name will forever live on outside of Safeco Field as the stretch of road that is currently Atlantic Street between First and Fourth Avenues will be renamed, "Edgar Martinez Drive".

"Edgar's career deserves a lasting tribute," Nickels said. "While we could never repay all of Edgar's contributions to the city of Seattle, renaming Atlantic Street near Safeco Field ensures that his remarkable career is never forgotten."

He added, noting the trees that grow along both sides of the street: "Now we have an appropriate tribute for one of baseball's greatest hitters -- an 800-foot lined drive."

I was lucky -- and deeply honored -- to be part of the ceremony to unveil the new street sign. I've been a part of a private Internet discussion list dedicated to chatting up the Seattle Mariners for several years. It turns out, Mr. Nickels has been a part of that list for years as well -- from way before he became mayor our of lovely town.

I posted the suggestion to him early last year after going to a game and noting that such an important street in Seattle has the name of an ocean that's nowhere near here. (And, I might point out, that the Yankees play pretty close to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean). I figured "Edgar Martinez Street" would be a great tribute to such an exceptional player -- both on the field and off the field.

The mayor took the suggestion to heart, and after Edgar announced his retirement earlier this year, the idea gathered steam. It hit a fever pitch once Dave Crocker, a local businessman, also came up with the idea and started both a media and online campaign to get the street renamed.

Crocker also helped raise a ton of money -- most notably from radio talk show host Mike Gastineau and Mariners announcer Dave Henderson -- so that private funds instead of taxpayer money would be used to pay for the street name change. Gastineau and Henderson both pledged the full amount needed to make the dream a reality.

"This is a dream come true for all of us," Crocker said. "I really appreciate all the mayor's efforts and all the fans who have written e-mails and contributed."

I added, "I don't think the ocean will mind that won't have (part of) a street in Seattle named after it." Although the rest of Atlantic Street around the Rainier Valley will retain its name.

Edgar was to be presented the sign at Saturday's Mariners' game.

"Edgar is the consummate Mariner, a living legend at the plate, and very deserving of this type of lasting tribute," Nickels said. "Edgar's double in the 1995 playoffs might have saved baseball in Seattle."

To ensure a smooth transition period for drivers, the City will mount the new Edgar Martinez Drive signs alongside the current South Atlantic Street sign for a period of time.

(P.S., I'm the one on the right in the above photo.)

For More Information:

Dave Crocker's 'Edgar Martinez Drive' Web site -- www.edgarmartinezway.com