Childhood

Constantino Martinez was born in Tampa Florida on Thursday, December 7, 1967. The second son of Sylvia and Rene Sr. Martinez. Tino's mother, Sylvia was a schoolteacher and his father Rene Sr. was the general manager of Villazon Cigar Company, Inc. Rene Sr.'s father-in-law, once an employee at Villazon, owned the place. Tino's older brother Rene Jr. is one year older and now is a bank vice president. Tino's brother Tony, two years younger and is now a teacher.

Hard work is no stranger to Tino. During summer vacations and Christmas breaks Tino (as young as 10) and his brothers would work hard at the cigar factory as young boys. They would help by unloading heavy crates of tobacco, assisted in the fumigation and arrange the tobacco in the sorting rooms.

School

Tinos' childhood ambition was to be a professional athlete, but not necessarily a baseball player. Tino was five when he first started playing baseball. Later playing Little League in West Tampa. Tino surpassed at baseball in high school. Tino led Tampa Catholic H.S. to the Florida State Championship in 1982 and took Jefferson H.S. to the state finals in 1985. Tino attended the University of Tampa playing on the Spartans at first base and right field for three years, and was a three-time Division II All-America. Photo on left is of Tino Martinez and Luis Gonzalez in high school in Tampa, Fla - click for more information at USA Today.

Career

Tino was selected in Mariner's first round pick (14th player overall ) in the June 1988 draft, but spent that summer with the U.S. Olympic team. He led the United States baseball team to the gold medal in Seoul, South Korea. Martinez spent three seasons in the minor leagues before the start to his big leagues career, making his M.L. debut August 20, 1990. In 1992 Tino had his first full season with the Marines. December 7, 1995 Tino was traded by the Seattle Mariners with Jim Mecir and Jeff Nelson to the New York Yankees for Russ Davis and Sterling Hitchcock. Signing a 5-year contract extending through 2000. On November 5, 2001 he was granted free-agency. Tino signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on December 18, 2001. On November 19, 2003 Tino was sent from St Louis to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Tino was owed $7.5 million next season (2004) and has an option for $8 million in 2005 with a $1 million buyout. The trade included cash considerations for the Devil Rays, meaning St. Louis could pick up the bulk of the money remaining. On December 31, 2004 Yankees signed free-agent Martinez to a one-year deal that would guarantee Martinez about $2.7 million and include a club option for 2006.

Presence

Constantino Martinez resides in Tampa Florida with his beautiful wife Marie, maiden name Prado. Marie's brother is Lelo Prado who is head coach at University of Louisville Tino and Marie have three children: Olivia was born August 10, 1992. T.J. was born August 10, 1993, one year to the date of Olivia. Victoria was born December 7, 1995 on Tinos' 28th birthday.

In Short