History of Starling Marte in Timeline

Starling Marte is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder currently playing for the New York Mets. He debuted in MLB in 2012 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and has also played for the Diamondbacks, Marlins, and Athletics. A two-time All-Star and Gold Glove Award winner, Marte is known for his speed and defensive abilities. In 2021, he led MLB in stolen bases with 47. Currently, he holds the active lead in both stolen bases (354) and triples (55) among all MLB players.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1922: Walter Mueller Homers on First Pitch

In 1922, Walter Mueller homered on the first pitch of his major league career. On July 26, 2012, Starling Marte became the first Pirate to homer on the first pitch of his major league career since Walter Mueller did so in 1922.

1961: Don Leppert Homers in First At-Bat

In 1961, Don Leppert homered in his first at-bat for the Pirates. This is notable because on July 26, 2012 Starling Marte became the first Pirate to homer in his first at-bat since Don Leppert in 1961.

October 9, 1988: Starling Marte's Birth

On October 9, 1988, Starling Javier Marte was born. He is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder currently playing for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Others born on this day/year

2003: Marlins First Playoff Victory Since 2003 Postseason

In 2020, the Miami Marlins defeated the Chicago Cubs, marking their first playoff victory since the 2003 postseason. Starling Marte contributed two hits and a run in Game 1, but suffered a broken left hand.

2007: Signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates

In 2007, Starling Marte signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and primarily played as a center fielder during his time in the minor leagues.

2010: Played for Bradenton Marauders

In 2010, Starling Marte played 60 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates' Class-A affiliate, the Bradenton Marauders, achieving a batting average of .315, hitting 16 doubles and five triples, and stealing 22 bases.

August 15, 2011: Named EL Player of the Week

On August 15, 2011, Starling Marte was named the Eastern League's Player of the Week while playing for the Altoona Curve.

November 18, 2011: Added to Pirates 40-man Roster

On November 18, 2011, Starling Marte was added to the Pittsburgh Pirates 40-man roster.

February 2012: Ranked on Top 100 Prospects Lists

In February 2012, Starling Marte was ranked number 73 on Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list and number 56 on Baseball Prospectus's Top 101 Prospect list.

July 2, 2012: Named International League Player of the Week

On July 2, 2012, Starling Marte was named the International League Player of the Week while playing for the Indianapolis Indians.

July 26, 2012: MLB Promotion and Home Run on First Pitch

On July 26, 2012, Starling Marte was promoted to the major leagues by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Indianapolis Indians and became the first graduate of the Pirates' Latin American complex to reach the major leagues. He hit a home run on the first pitch of his major league career against the Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel.

2012: MLB Debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates

In 2012, Starling Marte made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

June 25, 2013: First Multi-Home Run Game

On June 25, 2013, Starling Marte hit two home runs off of Jeff Locke in a 9-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners, marking the first multi-home run game of his career.

2013: Stolen Bases Each Season Since 2013

Since 2013, Starling Marte and Jean Segura were the only two MLB players to have stolen 20 or more bases each season, highlighting Marte's consistent performance over the years. In 2018, he played in 145 games, batting .277/.327/.460 with 20 home runs, 72 RBI, and 33 stolen bases.

March 28, 2014: Signed 6-Year Deal with Pirates

On March 28, 2014, Starling Marte and the Pittsburgh Pirates finalized a 6-year, $31 million deal.

2015: Won First Gold Glove Award

In 2015, Starling Marte played in 153 games and, after the season, won his first career Gold Glove Award as the best defensive left fielder in the National League.

2016: Won Second Gold Glove Award

In 2016, Starling Marte played in 129 games and, after the season, won his second career Gold Glove Award.

April 18, 2017: Suspended for Performance-Enhancing Drug Use

On April 18, 2017, Starling Marte was suspended 80 games without pay for the use of Nandrolone, a performance-enhancing drug that violates the MLB's drug agreement.

2017: Played 77 Games

In 2017, Starling Marte played in 77 games, batting .275/.333/.379 with 7 home runs, 31 RBI, and 21 stolen bases.

2017: Marlins Player named NL Player of the Week since 2017

Starling Marte was the first Marlins player since 2017 to be named NL Player of the Week, achieving this honor for the week of June 7-13, 2021.

2018: Played in 145 Games

In 2018, Starling Marte played in 145 games, batting .277/.327/.460 with 20 home runs, 72 RBI, and 33 stolen bases.

July 13, 2019: Hit 100th Career Home Run

On July 13, 2019, in a game against the Chicago Cubs, Starling Marte hit the 99th and 100th home runs of his career, two solo shots off of Jon Lester and Randy Rosario.

January 27, 2020: Traded to Arizona Diamondbacks

On January 27, 2020, the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Starling Marte and cash considerations to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Liover Peguero, Brennan Malone, and international bonus pool signing money.

May 2020: Death of Wife, Noelia Brazoban

In May 2020, Starling Marte's wife, Noelia Brazoban, suffered a heart attack and died while in the hospital awaiting surgery on a broken ankle.

August 31, 2020: Traded to Miami Marlins

On August 31, 2020, the Arizona Diamondbacks traded Starling Marte to the Miami Marlins for Caleb Smith, Humberto Mejía, and Julio Frias.

2020: Played in National League Wild Card Series

In 2020, Starling Marte had two hits and scored a run during Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series before suffering a broken left hand.

April 20, 2021: Placed on Injured List

On April 20, 2021, Starling Marte was placed on the injured list with a fractured rib.

July 28, 2021: Traded to Oakland Athletics

On July 28, 2021, the Miami Marlins traded Starling Marte, along with cash considerations, to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Jesús Luzardo.

November 30, 2021: Signed with New York Mets

On November 30, 2021, Starling Marte signed a four-year, $78 million contract with the New York Mets.

2021: Led Major Leagues in Stolen Bases

In 2021, Starling Marte led the major leagues with 47 stolen bases.

May 2022: Death of Grandmother

In May 2022, Starling Marte's grandmother, who raised him after his mother's death, passed away. Upon his return to the Mets, he dedicated a home run to his loved ones.

2022: Selected for All-Star Game

In 2022, Starling Marte was selected to play in the All-Star Game for the second time in his career after a strong first half of the season, despite battling a groin injury.

August 2023: Engagement to Elianny Santana

In August 2023, Starling Marte got engaged to Elianny Santana.

2023: Injuries and Limited Play

In 2023, Starling Marte faced persistent injuries, including a neck strain and migraines, which limited his playing time. He finished the season early due to another groin injury, appearing in only 86 games.

2024: Home Run, 1,500th Hit, and 150th Home Run

In 2024, Starling Marte hit the first home run of the Mets' season on Opening Day, recorded the 1,500th hit of his career on April 6, and hit his 150th career home run on April 17. He missed two months due to a bone bruise in his right knee, returning to the team on August 18.

2024: Key Hits in Postseason

In the 2024 MLB postseason, Starling Marte had a two-out RBI single in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series to clinch the series win. In Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, he had four hits and three RBI.

April 23, 2025: Walk-Off Single

On April 23, 2025, Starling Marte hit a walk-off single in the 10th inning against the Philadelphia Phillies, securing the Mets' second perfect seven-game home stand in franchise history.