Rangers Sign Arlington High Graduate Chris Martin to Two-Year Contract
By Diana Rocco ••
The Texas Rangers have signed free agent right-handed pitcher Chris Martin to a two-year contract.
The Texas Rangers have signed free agent right-handed pitcher Chris Martin to a two-year contract.
"It's a dream come true for me. I've grown up my whole life watching the Rangers," Martin said in the locker room after the team's announcement Friday.
The 31-year-old, a 6 foot 8 inch tall RHP who graduated from Arlington High School in 2004, returns to the United States after pitching the past two seasons for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
A shoulder injury nearly ended his career just after high school, but he fought his way back, stocking shelves at Texas Alliance and playing catch with co-workers.
"I'm in a shirt, jeans and boots, trying to catch this guy throwing 80 miles an hour fast balls in a warehouse. When it got to that point almost broke my thumb and the glove, we were like, 'OK, we think you're ready,'" said Jordan Bostick, Martin's longtime friend who hired him at Texas Alliance.
Martin was picked up by the Grand Prairie AirHogs, then the Boston Red Sox. He played a season for the Colorado Rockies and the New York Yankees before going to Japan.
Arlington High School, NBC 5 News
Chris Martin, with Arlington High School in 2004, left, and with the Texas Rangers in 2017, right.
Arlington High School
Chris Martin, no. 13, in 2004 for the Arlington Colts.
Arlington High School
Chris Martin, no. 13, in 2004 for the Arlington Colts.
NBC 5 News
Chris Martin welcomed as the newest member of the Texas Rangers, Dec. 15, 2017.
NBC 5 News
Chris Martin welcomed as the newest member of the Texas Rangers, Dec. 15, 2017.
NBC 5 News
Chris Martin welcomed as the newest member of the Texas Rangers, Dec. 15, 2017.
NBC 5 News
Chris Martin welcomed as the newest member of the Texas Rangers, Dec. 15, 2017.
NBC 5 News
Chris Martin welcomed as the newest member of the Texas Rangers, Dec. 15, 2017.
Getty Images
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 28: Chris Martin #47 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during a spring training game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 28, 2014 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 19: Chris Martin #33 of the New York Yankees delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the New York Mets during interleague play on September 19, 2015 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.The New York Yankees defeated the New York Mets 5-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Getty Images
TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Chris Martin #61 of the New York Yankees poses for a portrait on February 27, 2015 at George M. Steinbrenner Stadium in Tampa,Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Chris Martin #57 of the New York Yankees celebrates the final out of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays earning his first save of the season at Yankee Stadium on April 28, 2015 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Getty Images
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 4: Chris Martin #57 of the New York Yankees exits the game as he is relieved by manager Joe Girardi #28 as John Ryan Murphy #66 looks on in the eighth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 4, 2015 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
NBC 5 News
File photo
Getty Images
File photo
"It's been a whirlwind with my shoulder injury and very humbling working in a warehouse. The experience has driven me throughout my career," Martin recalled.
But his Arlington High School Coach, David Nix, described him as a fierce competitor on the mound and said he wasn't surprised by Martin's perseverance.
The Texas Rangers have signed free agent right-handed pitcher Chris Martin to a two-year contract.
"He's a hard worker and loves the game, so we're excited to see him come back," Nix said.
Martin produced the lowest ERA (1.12) and opponents batting average (.154), fewest baserunners per nine innings (6.11), and second-lowest strikeout-to-walk ratio (7.00) among all NPB relievers with at least 90 appearances in 2016-17. He went 0-2 with one save and a 1.19 ERA (11 ER/88.1 IP) spanning 40 appearances for the Fighters in 2017. Martin’s 21 saves in 2016 ranked tied for 5th in the Pacific League.
Kevin Perry for The Paley Center for Media
The view of the field from suite level.
Texas Rangers
The view of the field from Chuck Morgan's new PA booth.
Texas Rangers
The view of left field.
HKS
Artist rendering of Globe Life Field, March 2019. The ballpark is scheduled to open in March 2020.
HKS
Artist rendering of Globe Life Field, March 2019. The ballpark is scheduled to open in March 2020.
HKS
Artist rendering of Globe Life Field, March 2019. The ballpark is scheduled to open in March 2020.
HKS
Artist rendering of Globe Life Field, March 2019. The ballpark is scheduled to open in March 2020.
HKS
Artist rendering of Globe Life Field, March 2019. The ballpark is scheduled to open in March 2020.
HKS
Artist rendering of Globe Life Field, March 2019. The ballpark is scheduled to open in March 2020.
Texas Rangers Baseball Club
The Texas Rangers released new architectural renderings showing what the team's new home is expected to look like.
Texas Rangers Baseball Club
The Texas Rangers released new architectural renderings showing what the team's new home is expected to look like.
Texas Rangers Baseball Club
The Texas Rangers released new architectural renderings showing what the team's new home is expected to look like.
Texas Rangers Baseball Club
The Texas Rangers released new architectural renderings showing what the team's new home is expected to look like.
Texas Rangers Baseball Club
The Texas Rangers released new architectural renderings showing what the team's new home is expected to look like.
Texas Rangers
Artist's rendering of The North Plaza at Globe Life Field.
Texas Rangers
Artist's rendering of The North Plaza at Globe Life Field, released July 2018.
While with the Rockies, Martin faced the Rangers twice in 2014, including a lone appearance at Globe Life Park on May 7, 2014.
With the signing of Martin, the Rangers now have 39 players on the club’s major league roster.
The Texas Rangers showed off new renderings of Globe Life Field Thursday. The team plans to break ground on the new ballpark Sept. 28.
