JOOLA expands roster of non-pickleball athletes with signing of former MLB star Tino Martinez

Alex Lantz

Director of Content

Last Edited

Mar 26 2026

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News

Major League Baseball's Opening Day has arrived, and to celebrate, JOOLA Pickleball has announced its latest signing of a high-profile slugger.

Four-time World Series Champion Tino Martinez, who payed in the majors from 1990-2005 (Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays), has officially signed a contract with JOOLA as he finds his competitive groove on the pickleball court.

Martinez joins JOOLA's growing roster of former pro athletes from other sports who have partnered with the brand as they pursue high-level pickleball. Other athletes include fellow World Series Champions Brad Penny and J.D. Martinez, as well as former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch, who partnered with JOOLA in 2025 to release a beginner pickleball set.

For athletes like Tino Martinez and J.D. Martinez, who have aspirations of competing at a high level in pickleball, JOOLA provides access to top-tier equipment and hands-on training from JOOLA coach Eric White.

In an interview with JOOLA, Martinez shared what drew him to pickleball, what keeps him coming back, and why JOOLA was a perfect fit.

"(When I first started) I had no idea how to play besides rip it and just smash the ball, and then as time went on, I started learning how to play," he said. "And when I started playing better players, they were dinking and wearing me out and just killing me ... I had to figure out a way to get better and learn the game, and I just got really hooked on it. Since then, I've taken lessons, and I am totally addicted right now. I play all the time.”

Martinez said he was excited to continue working with White on developing his game and mastering a new sport in his retirement.

“(White is) very patient and a very good teacher," Martinez said. "He's really going to improve my game, and I look forward to working with him more often because I'm a pretty good player, but I want to be really good.”

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