Reyenaldo Ignacio "Chito" Martínez (December 19, 1965 – April 20, 2025) was a Belizean Major League Baseball (MLB) player, the first in MLB history to be born in his country.
Career
Born in Belize City, Martínez emigrated to New Orleans with his family at two years old. After struggling in the minors, he contemplated going into business with his father whose company sells and services air conditioners. Martinez played minor league baseball for the Kansas City Royals organization, but never came close to the major leagues with them. The outfielder was signed to the Baltimore organization in the winter of 1990. By July 1991, Martinez had the most home runs in the International League (20) and he was called up from the Class AAA Rochester Red Wings to the Orioles.
He spent parts of three seasons (1991 to 1993) with the Baltimore Orioles, hitting 13 home runs in his rookie season and posting a slugging percentage of .514 in 216 at-bats. He was also the first Orioles player to record a hit in each of his first six MLB games. It would be the high point of his career. After his power dropped dramatically in 1992, Martínez quickly faded away. He appeared in eight games in 1993 before leaving the major leagues.
Personal life
Martinez's son, Drew, played college baseball at the University of Memphis and was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 10th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. He played in the minor leagues from 2011 to 2016. He is currently the fundamentals coach Eugene Emeralds, the San Francisco Giants High-A affiliate.
Another son, Dalton, played college baseball at Southern Polytechnic State University and is currently the hitting coach at Georgia State.
Martinez died on April 20, 2025, in Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, at the age of 59.