Ed Núñez

Edwin Núñez Martinez
(Ed)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 5", Weight 237 lb.

• Debut April 7, 1982
• Final Game May 16, 1994
• Born May 27, 1963 in Humacao, P.R.

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Biographical Information

Ed Nunez played 13 seasons in the majors, primarily as a member of the Seattle Mariners bullpen.

A native of Puerto Rico, Nunez was signed by Mariners scout Luis Rosa as a 15-year-old and began his pro career in 1979 with the Bellingham Mariners, going 4-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 6 starts. He played for the Wausau Timbers the next year, and back with the Timbers in 1981, he dominated the Midwest League, posting a 16-3 record and 2.47 ERA while recording 205 strikeouts and 13 complete games in 25 starts. He was MVP of the 1981-1982 Puerto Rican Winter League, starring for the Ponce Lions. He won the pitching Triple Crown (9 W, 67 K, 1.72 ERA).

Nunez made Seattle's Opening Day roster as an 18-year-old in 1982, becoming the youngest player in the majors at the time. He made his big league debut on April 7th, giving up 1 earned run in 3 1/3 innings of relief work against the Minnesota Twins. Less than two weeks later, he made his first start, going 5 2/3 innings against the Oakland A's on April 18th, but did not earn a decision. In his next start, he collided with Twins player Gary Ward and suffered a fractured hand. After recovering from the injury, he spent most of the year with the AAA Salt Lake City Gulls but was back with Seattle in September, making several more starts. He earned his first major league win on September 19th against the Texas Rangers, and overall, he was 1-2 with a 4.58 ERA in 8 outings that year.

After splitting the next two summers between Seattle and Salt Lake City, Nunez became the Mariners' closer in 1985. In 70 relief appearances that year, he went 7-3 with a 3.09 ERA and 16 saves. However, he struggled with injuries to begin 1986 and spent much of the season with the AAA Calgary Cannons. He was back in the majors in September and made his first big league start in more than three years on September 9th, picking up the win against the Rangers. He again had a prominent role in the Mariners' bullpen in 1987, saving 12 games in 48 outings. However, he struggled to start the next season, going 1-4 with a 7.98 ERA in 14 games in the first half of 1988, and in July, he was dealt to the New York Mets for Gene Walter. Following the trade, he made 10 appearances for the Mets, recording a 4.50 ERA and 1 win.

Signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1989, Nunez pitched two years for them, saving 6 games in 1990. He moved on to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1991 and had 8 saves despite a 6.04 ERA. He was traded to the Texas Rangers in 1992 and then spent the last two years of his major league career with the Oakland A's in 1993 and 1994.

He was 2-0 with 6 saves and a 2.20 ERA for the 1996 Mexico City Red Devils. After his baseball career, he became a foster parent to many children.

Nunez is the cousin of minor leaguer John Burgos.

Related Sites

• Edwin Nunez: Only 18 years old, but plenty confident
• Nunez provides relief again as Mariners win in the 11th