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Edgar sees rising support for Hall of Fame

Martinez, now the Mariners' hitting coach, finished sixth among the 34 players listed on the ballot, jumping from his 43.4 percent total in '16 to 58.6 percent this year. The increase of 15.2 percent was the biggest of any returning player this year, and the result left Martinez within realistic reach of the 75 percent that's required for enshrinement with two more years to get it done.

"In general, I would have loved to be over 60 [percent], but at least I'm closer to 60 than to 50," Martinez said on a conference call with Seattle-area reporters. "The jump is encouraging.