Chito Martinez (born December 19, 1965) was the first player in the history of Major League Baseball to be born in the country of Belize. Martinez, born in Belize City, spent parts of three seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, hitting 13 home runs in his rookie season, 1991. It would be the high point of his career. After his power dropped dramatically in 1992, Martinez quickly faded away, appearing in a mere 8 games in 1993 before disappearing altogether from the major leagues. Although his major league career was not long, Martinez's brief moment of glory animated the people of Belize and Martinez became a national hero and an inspiration to his fellow citizens.
