After warm send-off, Victor Martinez wants fans to know 'they made me a better person'

DETROIT -- Gratified and moved by his farewell Saturday at Comerica Park, Victor Martinez wanted to let know fans he appreciated them -- all of them.

And that includes fans who had been critical of him, or fans that he had criticized during some of the stormier moments of his seven seasons in Detroit.

"I want them to know they made me a better player and a better person," Martinez said after Saturday's game, the 1,973rd and final one of his career in the big leagues.

The farewell could hardly have been scripted any better. At his request, Martinez started at first base on Saturday for the first time since June 1, 2016. He came to the plate in the bottom of the first inning and slapped a single into the shift on the right side of the infield.

The shift -- which has caused him untold grief and cost him many hits during the final four seasons of his career -- couldn't stop him from legging out an infield single.

"I think that was the perfect at-bat to describe my career," he said.

Ronny Rodriguez entered as a pinch-runner and, just like that, Martinez's game and his career were over.

Fans gave another standing ovation -- there would be one more after the game -- and the Kansas City Royals even stopped to applaud and tip their hats from the field. Fellow Venezuelans Salvador Perez and Alcides Escobar emerged from the Royals dugout to hug Martinez.

Once again, Martinez was left overcome with emotion.

"It's definitely something I will remember always. I don't have enough words to thank everybody," he said.

Martinez was one of the game's best hitters in 2014, when he was the MVP runner-up and the Tigers won the American League Central. He criticized Detroit fans for their negativity and unrealistic expectations.

In the years to come, Martinez would face the brunt of that criticism, struggling in three of the final four seasons of his career as he made $18 million annually.

Saturday showed there were no hard feelings, and Martinez wanted fans to know the feeling was mutual.

"You have to be man enough to admit it," he said. "A regular family comes to the ballpark and spends a lot of money. They have the right to let you know that you suck."

Martinez will end his career with 2,153 hits, eighth-most among Venezuelans in baseball history, 423 doubles, 246 home runs and a batting average of .295. He drew 730 walks and had an on-base average of .359.

Martinez will turn 40 years old two days before Christmas. Physically, it was time to call it quits. But that didn't make it any easier to say goodbye to the game he's played all his life.

"I felt like the drive to the field took three hours today," Martinez said. "I didn't want to get to the field. I knew this day was coming."

The warm send-off may have eased some of the sting. Martinez seemed truly humbled by the kindness of his teammates, fans and even the visiting Royals.

His teammates gave him cowboys boots and a Detroit Tigers riding saddle before the game. After the game, the coaching staff presented him with a game ball and other gifts. Then Martinez made a short speech in the clubhouse.

"He spoke to the guys and it was heartfelt. I was looking at the players' eyes. They were pretty fired up," said manager Ron Gardenhire.

Martinez will watch the final seven games from the bench.

"He wants to watch the kids play," Gardenhire said.

When he heads back home to Orlando, he'll get to watch the Tigers on TV from his new Tigers-themed recliner -- another one of the gifts he received before the game. He immediately plopped himself into the chair with a big smile.

"This group of guys have been incredible," he said of his teammates. "I thank them a lot."

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