Victor Martinez knows what it takes for an athlete to perform under pressure.
The five-time MLB All-Star hit 0.315 with six home runs in 39 playoffs during a 16-year run.
Martinez may not be on the court on Saturday because of the crown jewel of his new sport.As the owner of King William, who tied the number 5 spot and the odds of 20-1 in the morning line, Martinez will face no more of the final results as he has observed ever since.the bleachers when his horse runs in the Kentucky Derby.
“My wife, son and daughter say, ‘Look, now you’re going to feel what we felt when we went to the ballpark to watch you play,'” Martinez told an NTWAB pool reporter after arriving in Louisville.for the race..« I had a pretty decent career and went to some All-Star Games, but I work …They were in the stands watching a very clever show.Now I’m on the other side, being a spectator and an amateur watching this athlete play, that’s a big difference.All the nervousness and emotion is something else.It’s crazy.”
Martinez temporarily admits that he still knows “very, very little” about horse racing, but that he is excited to start a new business after finishing his baseball career in 2018.
KENTUCKY DERBY: pole position, draw and odds
ART COLLECTOR: The Kentucky Derby moment favorite
Taking credit for a connection forged through his baseball agent, Martinez teamed up with master Juan Carlos Avila to launch his career in horse racing.Martinez, Avila and jockey Samy Camacho, all Venezuelans, will compete in their first Kentucky Derthrough this weekend.
“We’re all recruits,” Martinez said, Juan Carlos, he’s been here in America for two years, but they’re still adapting to the formula here.”
Recruits go against classical wisdom about preparing Derthrough through King William’s leader, as his position at the moment ends in the Arkansas Department On May 2.
Martinez sent Avila back for the pre-race plan, but did not want to convince him to see the advantages of a long break for his specific horse after King William lost nearly a hundred pounds after the Arkansas Derby.
King William won the Tampa Bay Derby on March 7 after a break of more than 3 months between races.Uncle Mo’s colt remained impressive at Churchill Downs on consecutive Saturday mornings.
“If the horse is still tired, hasn’t recovered yet and you start pushing, that’s when each and every one of the athletes starts to get injured,” Martinez said, highlighting his own delight in creating a routine..non-public baseball.” You have to be in wonderful shape to do what you’re doing.Do I need to see him run often? Hell yes…. But that’s what it is.I don’t need to put him in a race and then worry about if he’s going to get hurt.Because it will be our fault.”
Martinez’s first Kentucky Derby jolgorio will take place in the peak years, with the race postponed until September and there will be no enthusiasts due to the coronavirus pandemic.
With baseball, Martinez may be back in the Derby with other horses in the coming years once the race returns to normal, but he knows there is no guarantee and wants to enjoy the experience, however strange, this week.The circle of family members and many of their baseball careers will be available on Saturday.
“Unfortunately, it’s a difficult year,” Martinez said.”I hope it ends faster or later.At least we’re getting to the race, it hasn’t been cancelled.”
“Used to watching it on TELEVISION, this position is crowded.I can’t believe I’m in a position with 170, 000 people.I used to play in a baseball box with 40 to 45,000 fans.It’s getting noisy. I can’t believe I’m in a position with 170, 000 people.”
Jon Hale: [email protected]; Twitter: @JonHale_CJ. Support local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/jonh.