Miami Marlins hitting coach Tino Martinez resigned Sunday amidst accusations he physically and verbally abused players, according to the Miami Herald.
The resignation was announced immediately after the Marlins game against the Pirates Sunday.
“We’ve accepted Tino Martinez’s resignation as hitting coach postgame today,” said Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest at a news conference.
Prior to Martinez’s resignation there were reports he had specifically abused rookie second baseman Derek Dietrich.
Martinez admitted he aggressively held Dietrich by the front of his jersey in May. He also acknowledged he “overreacted” and “probably” used profanity when attempting to be firm with some of the team’s younger players.
“I want to apologize to the Marlins organization for my behavior,” said Martinez. “I think I was frustrated at times, the way players were behaving and certain ways they were doing things. When I asked them to do something and they wouldn’t do it, whatever it may be, I thought the way to get through was by being firm with them, and I probably used some four-letter words.”
Martinez said reports he held Dietrich by the neck were not true.
“The only thing I’ve done is, I did grab Dietrich — we had a little thing in the [batting] cage one day — by the jersey,” the former Yankee first baseman said. “That was it. I never touched his neck. I never grabbed his neck. If anything else, [I want] his parents to know that because I have a 20-year-old son and I would be very upset if someone grabbed my son’s neck. That never happened.”
However, sources said Martinez was abusive from spring training through most of the season. He also allegedly made threats.
“It’s all shocked everybody,” said one player, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions. “He uses intimidation. It’s been a problem since Day One.”
Martinez had 1,925 hits throughout his career. As a player, he was known more for being calm and collected than boisterous and loud. He was personally chosen by Marlins owner Jeffery Loria to become the team’s hitting coach.
According to sources, those with which Martinez became aggressively angry include—first baseman Casey Kotchman, outfielder Justin Ruggiano, infielder Chris Valaika, minor-league infielder Matt Downs and others
The situation came to a climax after Dietrich was sent to the minors. His agent subsequently called the Marlins and informed them of the May incident.
At first the Marlins owner thought there were “other options.” Martinez and manager Mike Redmond met with Loria on Friday. According to sources, Loria did not take Martinez’s resignation when he offered that same day.
However, the Major League Baseball Players’ Associated soon learned of the news and called for some sort action.
“It’s been building for a few days,” Martinez said. “I thought I made some mistakes along the way, but I didn’t know this was going to come out publicly at all. So when this came out [during Sunday’s game], I thought [resigning] was the right thing to do.”
Marlins head coach Mike Redmond said the fact this was Martinez’s first coaching job might have contributed to the issues.
“I know going from a player to a coach, it’s hard,” said Redmond, a former Marlin. “Part of the grind is learning how to deal with different situations with different players, different personalities — all that stuff is a challenge. Some people can do it. Some people can’t.”
The Marlins have been the lowest scoring team in the MLB this season. Although, the influx of young players in their lineup is a major reason for the impotent offense, one player said the bad relationship between Martinez and the players added to the struggles.
“I think it’s definitely had an effect,” the player said.
“Right now I’m disappointed in myself for this being public,” said Martinez. “I’m embarrassed. Obviously I made a mistake, and I apologized for that to the Marlins organization, my family, and everyone involved.”
Minor-League hitting coordinator John Pierson will fill the Marlins’ vacancy as interim hitting coach.
