Tippy Martinez
A member of the Orioles Hall of Fame, Tippy Martinez spent 11 of his 14 big league seasons with the Orioles.
He pitched in 499 games for the Orioles from 1976 to 1986, ranking second only to Jim Palmer on the club’s all-time list of games pitched. His 105 saves rank fourth in Orioles history.
Tippy was acquired from the New York Yankees on June 15, 1976 as part of a 10-player trade that also brought Scott McGregor and Rick Dempsey to the Orioles.
He finished his career with a 55-42 record, 115 saves, and a 3.45 ERA, and was at his best in the post-season, pitching to 1.74 ERA in eight playoff and World Series appearances. Tippy pitched the final four scoreless innings in Game 4 of the 1983 ALCS at Chicago, clinching the American League title, and is one of only three Orioles pitchers – along with Palmer and McGregor – to win a pennant-clinching game.
Tippy was selected to the 1983 AL All-Star team but is probably best remembered for picking off three Toronto Blue Jays at first base in one inning on August 24, 1983 game at Memorial Stadium, the only time a pitcher has done that in Major League history.
A fan favorite with his legion of “Tippy’s Tweeters” cheering him on from the left field stands, he was elected to the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2000.
Tippy was originally drafted in the 35th round as an outfielder by the Washington Senators in 1969 but chose to attend Colorado State. He later signed with the Yankees as an undrafted free agent.
He finished his career with the Twins in 1988 and served as pitching coach for the York Revolution of the independent Atlantic League from their inception in 2007 through 2009.
A native of Colorado, Tippy and his wife, Carol, have lived in Towson since his playing days with the Orioles.
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