Horacio “Rabbit” Martinez
Trailblazing Player, Coach, and Talent Scout Who Helped Open MLB’s Dominican Pipeline
Horacio “Rabbit” Martinez was more than just a standout player in the Negro Leagues-he was a pioneer whose influence reshaped the global reach of Major League Baseball. A five-time All-Star shortstop with the famed New York Cubans, Martinez dazzled fans with his quickness, defensive brilliance, and baseball IQ. Nicknamed “Rabbit” for his remarkable speed and agility, he became a respected and consistent force during a golden era of Negro League baseball.
Martinez’s career extended beyond American borders, as he played and coached in various Latin American leagues, including in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and his native Dominican Republic. His bilingual fluency and deep cultural understanding made him a natural bridge between U.S. baseball and the Caribbean talent flourishing in Latin America.
But it was in his post-playing days as a scout for the San Francisco Giants where Horacio Martinez made his most enduring impact on the sport. He was instrumental in identifying and signing future legends such as Felipe, Mateo, and Jesús Alou, Juan Marichal, and Manny Mota, among others. Martinez’s foresight and commitment helped establish the very first formal pipeline from the Dominican Republic to Major League Baseball-a trail that would soon be followed by generations of Dominican players.
Thanks in part to Martinez’s groundbreaking work, the Dominican Republic today produces more Major League players than any other country outside the United States. His legacy lives on not only through the stars he helped discover but in the enduring presence of Dominican excellence across every level of professional baseball.
Horacio “Rabbit” Martinez’s story is one of talent, vision, and perseverance. As a player, coach, and scout, he embodied the values of the Negro Leagues and carried them into the modern era-laying the foundation for a truly international game. To learn more, visit www.martinezbeisbolfilms.com.
Family Member
Max Martinez Almenas is the Executive Producer and Director of Martinez Béisbol Films, a documentary film company committed to uncovering and preserving the untold stories of baseball’s most influential yet under-recognized pioneers. A graduate of the New York Film Academy, Max began his storytelling career in broadcasting with NBC Universal and Mun2 (Telemundo), where he built a strong foundation in media production and culturally resonant programming.
He is the creative force behind the newly released documentary Legends Remembered: Yogi Berra, a poignant exploration of the Hall of Fame catcher’s life, faith, and enduring legacy-featuring exclusive archival footage and intimate interviews.
Currently in production, Max’s most personal work to date, The Martinez Brothers: The Untold Baseball Story of Talent, Tragedy, & Legacy, traces the extraordinary journey of his maternal grandfather and three great-uncles-Afro-Dominican pioneers who helped bridge the Negro Leagues and Major League Baseball.
In addition to his work in film, Max serves as a Marketing Director in the nonprofit sector, where he integrates his experience in music, video, and storytelling to produce deeply meaningful and visually compelling content.
A proud member of the Negro League Family Alliance and the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), Max is dedicated to telling intergenerational stories that honor the past, educate the present, and inspire future generations-especially within Black and Latino baseball communities. To learn more, visit www.martinezbeisbolfilms.com.