Shairon Martis

Shairon Benjamin Martis (born March 30, 1987) is a Dutch-Curaçaoan professional baseball pitcher for Curaçao Neptunus of the Honkbal Hoofdklasse. He has previously pitched for the Washington Nationals and Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball. Martis was a member of the Netherlands in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and the 2013 World Baseball Classic, as well as the 2011 Baseball World Cup. He played for Team Netherlands in the 2019 European Baseball Championship, at the Africa/Europe 2020 Olympic Qualification tournament in Italy in September 2019.

Amateur and international career
In 2002, Martis was a member of the Curaçao team that claimed the Senior League World Series, which took place in Bangor, Maine.

Martis pitched a no-hitter on March 10, 2006, in the World Baseball Classic against Panama, in a game stopped in the 7th inning due to the mercy rule.

He played for Team Netherlands in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

He played for Team Netherlands in the 2019 European Baseball Championship, and will compete for it at the Africa/Europe 2020 Olympic Qualification tournament, taking place in Italy beginning September 18, 2019. He represented the Netherlands national baseball team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

San Francisco Giants
Martis was signed by the San Francisco Giants in 2004. In 2005, he pitched in 11 games with 5 starts. His record was 2–1 with a 1.85 ERA for the San Francisco Giants' Arizona Rookie League team. Martis began the 2006 season with Augusta in the Low A South Atlantic League, where he accrued a 6–4 record and 3.64 ERA in 15 starts. On July 28, 2006, Martis was traded to the Washington Nationals for veteran lefty reliever Mike Stanton.

Washington Nationals
On July 28, 2006, the Nationals acquired Martis from the San Francisco Giants for veteran lefty reliever Mike Stanton. He joined the roster of Savannah of the South Atlantic League on August 1, 2006. After going 1–1 with a 3.80 ERA in four starts at Savannah, Martis was promoted to Washington's Potomac club in the High A Carolina League. He pitched two games in Potomac, giving up 4 earned runs in 12 innings, and finished the season at Harrisburg in the Double-A Eastern League, allowing 7 earned runs over 5 innings in his only appearance of the Harrisburg season. In 2007, Martis pitched for Potomac the entire season. In 26 starts and one relief appearance, he logged a 4.23 ERA over 151 innings, striking out 108 batters while issuing just 52 walks. Martis was assigned to Harrisburg to begin the 2008 season. After going 4–4 with a 3.98 ERA and a respectable 1.35 WHIP in 14 starts at Harrisburg, he was promoted on June 21 to Triple-A Columbus, where he went 1–2 and accrued a 3.02 ERA in 7 starts, striking out 42 batters and walking 17. He was selected as a member of the World Team for the 2008 All-Star Futures Game in Yankee Stadium. Martis was called up to the major-league roster on September 2, with the intent of assigning him to the bullpen. However, an injury to rotation member Collin Balester caused Martis to put into the starting rotation. He made his major league debut September 4, 2008, against the Atlanta Braves. He gave up 2 runs in 5 innings, getting the loss. He struck out the first batter he faced, Gregor Blanco. Chipper Jones got the first hit off Martis. In his first plate appearance, he drew a walk from Braves rookie James Parr, who, like Martis, was also making his first major-league appearance. Martis struck out Parr in Parr's first at-bat earlier in the game. Martis got his first major league win on September 23, 2008, against the Florida Marlins. On May 2, 2009, against the St. Louis Cardinals, Martis pitched his first career complete game, which was the Nationals' first complete game since Pedro Astacio's in 2006 against the Atlanta Braves.

He was designated for assignment on January 24, 2011, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs on February 2. He elected free agency following the season on November 2.

Pittsburgh Pirates
On November 23, 2011, he signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Minnesota Twins
On June 27, 2012, Martis was traded to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for cash or a player to be named later. He had his contract selected to the major league roster on September 9, 2013, In 9.2 innings he struck out 7, working to a 5.59 ERA. He was sent outright to Triple-A Rochester Red Wings on October 2. He elected free agency following the season on October 7.

Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions
On February 26, 2014, Martis signed with the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League. He became a free agent following the season.

Bridgeport Bluefish
On May 20, 2015, Martis signed with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He was released on June 1. He made 1 start suffering the loss going 0.2 innings giving up 7 hits 8 earned runs (108.00 ERA) with 2 walks and 1 strikeout.

Lincoln Saltdogs
On June 6, 2015, Martis signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the season. In 17 games (16 starts) he tossed 106 innings going 6-3 with a 3.74 ERA and 79 strikeouts also throwing 2 complete games and 1 shutout.

On February 15, 2016, Martis re-signed with the Saltdogs for the 2016 season. He became a free agent following the season. In 24 games (18 starts) he tossed 121.1 innings going 9-8 with a 3.34 ERA with 93 strikeouts and throwing 1 complete game shutout.

Baltimore Orioles
On April 6, 2017, Martis signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He was released on July 24.

Lincoln Saltdogs (second stint)
On July 27, 2017, Martis re-signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association. In 7 games (6 starts) he threw 40.1 innings going 4-1 with a 2.01 ERA and 32 strikeouts.

On February 17, 2018, Martis re-signed with the Saltdogs for the 2018 season. In 25 games (2 starts) he threw 41.1 innings going 3-5 with a 5.01 ERA and 32 strikeouts.

On February 14, 2019, Martis re-signed with the Saltdogs for the 2019 season. He was released on November 19. In 22 games (9 starts) he threw 65.2 innings struggling immensely going 2-7 with a 6.44 ERA with 38 strikeouts and 2 saves.

L&D Amsterdam
On February 23, 2020, Martis signed with L&D Amsterdam of the Honkbal Hoofdklasse for the 2020 season. In 11 games 13.2 innings of relief he went 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA with 16 strikeouts and 1 save.

On February 25, 2021, Martis re-signed with Amsterdam for the 2021 season. In 11 games (7 starts) he went 6-0 with a 0.91 ERA with 51 strikeouts throwing 1 complete game shutout and also picking up 1 save.

On February 11, 2022, Martis re-signed with Amsterdam for the 2022 season. He became a free agent following the season. In 17 games (8 starts) he went 6-1 with a 1.22 ERA with 72 strikeouts and 3 saves.

Curaçao Neptunus
On March 7, 2023, Martis signed with the Curaçao Neptunus of the Honkbal Hoofdklasse. In 17 starts 101.2 innings he went 8-3 with a 2.12 ERA with 88 strikeouts.