Beloved former Seattle Mariner and entrepreneur Edgar Martinez is set to make two appearances in Olympia, first at a private fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters today, followed by a public appearance Saturday.
The invitation-only event for Big Brothers Big Sisters is 6-8 p.m. today at G. Miller, the longtime downtown Olympia clothier run by Greg Miller, his wife, Sandra, said this week. Sandra Miller, general manager of Olympia’s Governor Hotel, said about 100 people are expected at the event.
The event will feature a silent auction of signed memorabilia and signed bottles and a tasting of Martinez’s El Zacatecano mezcal, a relative of tequila. Martinez and his business partners, including Gene Juarez of Gene Juarez Salons, acquired the U.S. import rights to the Mexican product a few years ago.
Martinez and Juarez made a similar appearance at the Governor Hotel two years ago to promote El Zacatecano, or “Zac,” to benefit survivors of domestic violence.
Miller said G. Miller will contribute 15 percent of anything sold by the store Friday night to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
After Friday’s event, Martinez will make a public appearance at T. Brothers Liquor and Wine Lodge, the former state-run liquor store on Plum Street in downtown Olympia that was purchased by brothers Andy and Mike Thielen. T. Brothers is at 417 Plum St.
Andy Thielen said Martinez, along with the “Zac girls,” will sign purchased bottles of El Zacatecano from 4-6 p.m. Saturday. Children, too, are welcome to come and see Martinez as long as they are accompanied by an adult, he said.
Martinez spent his entire career with the Seattle Mariners, retiring from the game in 2004. He has a career batting average of .312. He is probably best known for his game-winning double against the New York Yankees during the American League Division Series in 1995.
Rolf Boone: 360-754-5403 rboone@theolympian.com theolympian.com/bizblog
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