The Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award has been presented annually to the most outstanding designated hitter in the American League since 1973. Originally known as the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, it was later renamed for the Seattle Mariners' Edgar Martínez following his retirement in 2004. Martínez was a five-time winner of the award.
In September 2004, at Safeco Field ceremonies in honor of Martínez, Commissioner Bud Selig announced that the award would be renamed for the five-time ODH recipient (1995, 1997-98, 2000-01). In an 18-year career with the Seattle Mariners, primarily as a designated hitter, Martínez batted .312, with 309 career home runs and 1,261 runs batted in.