Off Topic » SEATTLE (AP) — Edgar Martinez is stepping down

as the hitting coach for the Seattle Mariners and moving into a new role as a hitting adviser for the entire organization http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-willie-mcgee-jersey , the club announced Tuesday.Martinez said the move is largely based around his desire to spend more time with family, but with the help of the Mariners he was able to create a role that gives him the flexibility he seeks while still keeping him connected with the major league team and the organization.“Coaching goes into long hours and the travel and with the situation with my family at this point, I thought if I could have an ideal situation where I could spend some time with the MLB team and be part of it and help and expand in other roles, but also be home more with the family, that was what I was thinking,” Martinez said.General manager Jerry Dipoto said Martinez approached the team after the end of the regular season. Martinez considered seeking a role like this after the 2017 season but opted to stick around for one more year as the hitting coach before broaching the idea with management.“We have spent the past three weeks working with Edgar to design a new position that will allow us to take advantage of his knowledge, passion and teaching skill at both the major and minor league levels Mike Matheny Jersey , while allowing Edgar flexibility that is unavailable in his current role,” Dipoto said in a statement.The decision leaves Seattle needing to fill two key positions on its coaching staff after manager Scott Servais opted not to bring back pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. Martinez just completed his third full season as Seattle’s hitting coach, and was the one holdover on the coaching staff after Servais arrived in 2016.Martinez was hired by then-manager Lloyd McClendon midway through the 2015 season after Howard Johnson was reassigned in the organization.The move was initially met with skepticism and was viewed as an attempt by a struggling team to garner goodwill by hiring one of the best players in franchise history. But Martinez was able to transfer some of the hitting skills and knowledge from his standout playing career to the current crop of players.Martinez played with the Mariners for 18 years until retiring in 2004. He is entering his final year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame and last year fell just short of getting the votes needed to make him one of just two inducted players who were primarily designated hitters.Martinez said he’s looking forward to working with both the major leaguers and younger hitters in the organization.“I always had the question of how it would be to go back and coach. I’m very happy that I got the opportunity to do it,” Martinez said. “I enjoy it. I will miss it not being there the whole time. Being around for part of the season will help. But I’m glad I tried it and the time I spent with the guys and the coaches, it was a lot of fun.” The National Baseball Hall of Fame announced its 10 Today's Game Era candidates for 2019 induction Monday, highlighted by late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner."The Boss" is the only executive on this year's list, which will be discussed at the winter meetings Dec. 9. Former playersHarold Baines http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-red-schoendienst-jersey , Albert Belle, Joe Carter, Will Clark, Orel Hershiser and Lee Smith are also on the ballot. Former managersDavey Johnson, Charlie Manuel and Lou Piniella are also eligible.Steinbrenneris the only deceased candidate. He died in 2010 of a heart attack at age 80. The longtime Yankees owner purchased the team in 1973, winning seven World Series championships and 11 pennants.One of the most controversial owners in team sports history,Steinbrennerclashed with MLB management Enos Slaughter Jersey , his own players and managers, and he was suspended twice for his off-field actions. He served a suspension for making illegal campaign contributions to Richard Nixon's re-election campaign in the 1970s and was permanently banned from management of the team in 1990 after paying a gambler to investigate Dave Winfield.Steinbrennerwas later reinstated in 1993.Piniellaserved two stints underSteinbrenneras manager in the 1980s. He finished with a 1,835-1,713 record over a career with the Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs.Carter andHershiserare most famous for their postseason contributions. Carter famously hit a game-winning home run with the Toronto Blue Jays to capture the 1993 World Series http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-chris-carpenter-jersey , only the second such walk-off win in history.Hershiserwon the 1988 World Series MVP, throwing two complete games for the Los Angeles Dodgers to defeat the Oakland Athletics.