Tino Martinez eager for new role with Marlins

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — When Tino Martinez's playing days were done in 2005, he was certain that he was finished with the grind of baseball. Then spring would come, and he would feel that itch again.

And when the Miami Marlins called late last year with an offer, he officially changed his mind.

The four-time World Series champion player with the New York Yankees is back in the game, now in his first year of a three-year deal with the Marlins to be their hitting coach. At 45, he still looks like he could play, and he thinks he can get plenty out of what's expected to be a relatively young Miami opening-day roster.

Says Marlins manager Mike Redmond, "Everybody's been asking about Tino. Everyone's excited about Tino."