Nick Martinez Parents: Meet Nick Sr. and Annie Martinez

Nick Martinez, the baseball player who started at Fordham University and went on to a long professional career, has family roots that run deep in Cuban history.

His parents are Nick Martinez Sr., who works as a general contractor in South Florida, and Annie Martinez, who was born in Cuba. Both have shaped the way their son talks about his background, his work ethic, and his love of the game.

His Father, Nick Martinez Sr.

Nick’s father grew up in South Florida and was the first member of his family to be born in the United States. His own parents, Raul and Tanya Martinez, left Havana and came to America in 1961. Shortly after their arrival, they welcomed their son, who would later raise a family of his own in the Miami area.

Over the years, Nick Sr. built a career in construction and became a general contractor. Reports from MLB.com also describe him as a key figure in his son’s baseball journey, noting that he helped guide Nick toward the mound. That kind of early support is something many players point to when they look back on how they got their start.

His Mother, Annie Martinez

Nick’s mother, Annie, was born in the province of Pinar del Rio, Cuba. According to a 2009 Fordham Athletics story, that province sits about 200 miles west of Villa Clara, the hometown of former big league pitcher Livan Hernandez. Her story gives Nick a direct link to the island, which is why he describes his Cuban identity as a very real part of who he is.

Because of both parents, the family is considered fully Cuban in heritage. Nick grew up in Miami, a city with one of the largest Cuban communities in the world, so the food, language, and traditions of that culture were part of everyday life at home.

A Moment That Connected Family and Baseball

The Fordham story from May 2009 shows how much this background means to him. As a freshman second baseman, Nick met Livan Hernandez before a Mets game on May 13. The two found they shared Cuban roots and that both were marking 150th milestones that season, with Hernandez winning his 150th career game and Fordham celebrating 150 years of baseball.

Nick said at the time that he always tries to raise his game and hopes to reach the Major Leagues one day. He added that seeing players like Hernandez do what he dreams of doing gives him hope. Fordham coach Nick Restaino also spoke warmly about the visit and thanked the Mets for the chance.

The story even reminded readers that the first professional baseball player from Cuba, Esteban Bellan, graduated from Fordham in 1868. For a Cuban American player at Fordham, that is a meaningful bit of history.

Why His Parents Matter to His Story

The path from a Cuban family in Miami to a professional baseball career did not happen by accident. His grandparents made the move to a new country, his father built a life and business in Florida, and his mother carried her homeland with her. Together they gave Nick the foundation he needed.