Mariner great Martinez to appear in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE, Wash. - Bernice Russell is getting a Christmas gift early.

She is a fan of former Mariner Edgar Martinez. Posters of him still hang from the walls of her office at Lake Bowl, a business she and her late husband George started in the 1950s.

Today Bernice gets to meet Mr. Mariner in person.

Her grandson, Troy Duzon, arranged for Martinez to meet fans at Papa's Sports Lounge and Casino from 4-7 tonight.

"As long as I can remember, she has always been a huge Mariner fan. She's always liked Edgar," he said. "My grandmother is a big fan ... she might be the biggest fan. That's one of the best parts of having him over, is meeting her."

The anticipation goes both ways.

"That's a great compliment," Martinez told the Columbia Basin Herald. "I am looking forward to meeting her and spending time with her family."

The public is invited to meet Martinez today, where he will be available to sign autographs. Martinez will be in the family portion of Papa's.

"We definitely want Dad to bring in his son," said Duzon. "It is for the whole family."

It is the first time Papa's is hosting such a famous athlete.

Martinez spent his entire 18-year career in Major League Baseball with the Seattle Mariners. He played as a third baseman until a hamstring injury. He became the Mariner's designated hitter and won two batting titles, once having a .356 batting average.