A befuddling time for Edgar

SEATTLE – Edgar Martinez was rightfully confused Monday.

He was back at Safeco Field on opening day, enjoying all the festivities. His locker in the Mariners clubhouse still had its No. 11 nameplate above it.

But his designated hitter spot on the lineup card was filled with someone else’s name, and there wasn’t a uniform ready. Martinez was at the ballpark to throw out the first pitch.

“It’s a mix of emotions. I have that confused feeling,” he said. “I’m going to try and enjoy it as much as I can.”

After an 18-year career defined by a keen hitting eye and smooth right-handed stroke, the 42-year-old Martinez is happy to be retired.

It’s been anything but relaxing, though. He’s a business owner, a new home buyer and a father for the third time. He drives his son to school daily, before heading off to oversee his embroidery business.

“We were so busy, I didn’t think about baseball for a time,” Martinez said. “It was something new to me.”