Chito Martinez, Belize's Only MLB Player, Dies at 59

Chito Martinez, the first and only Major League Baseball player from Belize, has died at age 59, as announced by the Baltimore Orioles. Martinez, who immigrated to New Orleans as a child, debuted with the Orioles in 1991 and made an immediate impact, hitting 13 home runs during his rookie season. He played parts of three seasons with Baltimore, ending his MLB career with 18 home runs and a .259 batting average. Reports indicate he died from a heart attack in Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, after a series of recent hospitalizations. Martinez's career was notable not only for his achievements on the field but also for breaking new ground for Belizean athletes in professional baseball. Tributes from family, former teammates, and his high school underscore his influence both as a player and as a mentor.