Edgar Martinez sold nearly as many bottles of his El Zacatecano Mezcal tequila at the Burien Liquor store as he hit home runs in his 18-year major league career with the Mariners (300 bottles of tequila vs. 309 home runs).

His evening spent in Burien on May 12 was a promotional event for the tequila line mixed with philanthropy for Para Los Ninos, a Burien non-profit focused on increasing academic success of Latino students.

The event started at 4 p.m. at the liquor store with Mariner and tequila fans alike lining up to meet Martinez and get their bottles of El Zacatecan signed. The mezcal comes from the Zacatecas region of Mexico. Martinez said he got involved in distributing the tequila line to Washington state two years ago and along with his business partners they plan to expand its availability to other western states like California and Nevada.

“The brand has been sold and produced in Mexico for three generations, 100 years,” Martinez said at the bottle-signing. “It is the number one selling mezcal in Mexico. The product is very good.”

Martinez has been traveling around the state promoting the tequila line and said this of having an opportunity to touch base with his massive fan base again, “It’s been good, it’s been good.”

After the bottle signing event, Martinez headed to the Mark Restaurant in Olde Burien (918 s.w. 152nd St) to shake hands and enjoy a few El Zacatecan infused drinks with fans gathered at the restaurant.

In addition, Martinez showed his support to the Burien non-profit Para Los Ninos who held a silent auction in the back of the restaurant to raise funds for the Latino educational program.

Mauricio Ayon, board president for Para Los Ninos, said the organization has served Latino children from age 0-12 since 2003. He said the program focuses on preparing Latino children for a successful academic career through English language programs and tutoring sessions for students.

Ayon said this event was the first time they had worked with Martinez to raise funds for the program.

“He is very passionate about education … so this is hopefully the first of many things we do together,” Ayon said of Martinez.

Original story
That really will be Seattle Mariners legend Edgar Martinez at the Burien Liquor Store on May 12.
He'll be at the store, located at 15858 1st Ave. S., from 4-6 p.m.

Martinez will be making a special appearance to promote his latest business venture, a line of artisanal mezcal known as El Zacatecano. Martinez will be signing bottles of El Zacatecano for fans.

Fans will have an opportunity to meet Edgar and have him autograph a bottle of his new brand. Autograph signings are restricted to his new mezcal.

Martinez will also appear at the Mark Restaurant and Bar, 918 S.W. 152nd St., that night at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to promote his line of mescals.

Items autographed by Martinez will also be offered in a silent benefit auction for Para Los Ninos on May 12. The nonprofit, headquartered in Burien, works to increase the academic success of Latino students.