Ex-Mets DH J.D. Martinez Already Eyeing Next Step After Career

J.D. Martinez is looking at a new career after he retires from MLB.
May 13, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets designated hitter JD Martinez (28) runs out a double against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fifth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
May 13, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets designated hitter JD Martinez (28) runs out a double against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fifth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
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Former New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez has his eyes set on another sport once he retires from Major League Baseball.

On Monday, JOOLA, a table tennis and pickleball brand, announced that the veteran slugger has signed an "exclusive deal" with them to play professional pickleball once he calls it a career in baseball.

“I see pickleball as a sport I’ll be involved in for the long run and JOOLA’s commitment to the sport and my personal growth in the game makes this partnership even more special,” Martinez said in a statement via JOOLA.

According to the company, the 37-year-old is expected to receive all the necessary resources to prepare for the transition from baseball to pickleball. Martinez has also already begun training with JOOLA pro Eric White.

“What I love is how people of all ages can play and compete on an equal level—it’s all about skill,” Martinez said. “Every time I step onto the court to play, I feel like I uncover another layer of the game, and it keeps drawing me in. The competition aspect is what keeps me hooked!”

The six-time All-Star spent the 2024 season with the Mets when they signed him to a one-year, $12 million deal to be their starting DH. In 120 regular season games, the slugger slashed a career-low .235/.320/.406 with 16 home runs and 69 RBI; his .725 OPS was the lowest he put up since 2013. Towards the end of the regular season and into the postseason, Martinez would see his playing time diminished when mid-season trade acquisition Jesse Winker became the team's starting DH.

With Martinez still a free agent and not gaining a ton of traction after a disappointing lone season in New York, his new professional career in pickleball could be happening sooner than expected.

Even though Martinez has yet to announce his retirement from baseball, he's certainly strung together a phenomenal 14-year career. The three-time Silver Slugger Award recipient boasts a lifetime slash line of .283/.348/.516 with 331 home runs and 1,071 RBI, and was a World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox in 2018.

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Logan VanDine
LOGAN VANDINE

Logan VanDine is a contributing writer for On SI's Mets and Yankees websites. Logan is a graduate of Rider University where he majored in Sports Media and minored in Sports Studies. During his time at Rider, Logan worked for Rider's radio station, 107.7 The Bronc as a sports host, producer and broadcaster, and for the school's paper: The Rider News. He began his time with The Rider News as a section writer for sports and was a copy editor for two years followed by being one of the sports editors during his senior year. Logan also placed third in the New Jersey Press Foundation Awards for sports feature writing. Aside from his work at On SI, he is also a writer for FanSided covering the New York Giants and Mets and also covers the Giants for Total Apex Sports. Give him a follow on X: @VandineLogan