Inspiration.
During the off-season, I wonder who will the Diamondbacks acquire? In contrast to free agent signings, trades have often provided the Diamondbacks with excess value. One example was trading for J.D. Martinez
in 2017. Let’s catch up on him.
J.D. Martinez
Former Diamondback. In July of 2017, the Diamondbacks acquired him in a trade. With the Diamondbacks his batting was awesome (29 home runs and 65 RBIs). His 170 OPS+ was second best on the team (best was Christian Walker 201 OPS+).
With J.D Martinez, the Diamondbacks reached the playoffs for a sixth season. In the playoffs, J.D. Martinez hit excellently in the NLDS against the Dodgers (1 home run and 3 singles in 11 PAs).
His career accomplishments. J.D. Martinez was a six-time All-Star, won three silver slugger awards, and reached the World Series in 2018. Statistically, 2018 was his career best season (but he was no longer a Diamondback).
His latest season. His latest season in the Majors was 2024 with the Mets. He was 36 years old and his OPS+ was 105 (barely above average). After that, he did not return to baseball.
He started playing pickleball. Clearly, he liked it very much!
“A self-confessed former table tennis addict, J.D. was first introduced to pickleball when a neighbor invited him over to play. His competitive spirit quickly took over, and he was instantly hooked. Not long after, Martinez built a pickleball court at his home to fully immerse himself in the sport.” — Corey Backhaus, Feb 2025
His pickleball mindset. He has a mindset that contributes to success in anything he does. That mindset includes making success habits, enthusiasm and love of the game, and a willingness to change.
“In our short time working together I can already see he loves the game of pickleball and is willing to learn better pickleball habits because of that enthusiasm and willingness to change he truly has no ceiling.” — Eric White
Every time I step onto the court to play, I feel like I uncover another layer of the game, and it keeps drawing me in.” — J.D. Martinez
Celebrity Pickleball Event in Texas
On 5 November, at 7 PM Central Time, at Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch Texas, there will be celebrity pickleball matches. It will be an event that occurs in conjunction with the Jenius Banks Pickleball World Championships. When I looked on 28 October, there were 3,466 players registered in the championships.
The Celebrities. Playing with J.D. Martinez will be the following players:
- Ben Johns. He is perhaps the greatest pickleball player of all time. His ranking has been ranked #1 since 2020.
- Anna Bright. In pickleball, she is currently ranked #2 in womens doubles, and ranked #3 in mixed doubles.
- Tyson McGuffin. Barstool Sports named him as, “The Most Electrifying Man in Sports.”
- Genie Bouchard. A former finalist in Wimbleton, she retired from professional tennis in July of 2025. She is now playing pickleball.
- Jack Sock. In 2016, he won an Olympic Gold Medal in mixed doubles Tennis. In pickleball, he is currently ranked #6 in mens singles.
Watch it live via on-line streaming. There are two possible options.
Pickleball TV will cover the Jenius Banks World Championship per their website. It is likely their coverage will include the associated celebrity pickleball event. The website has a free video stream, in addition to a subscription option. I do not know whether the free video stream will cover the event. In addition, Pickleball TV is available on Amazon Freevee, Fire TV, Fubo, Plex, Roku, Samsung TV plus, and YouTube TV.
Although I had a reason to think that The Tennis Channel will cover the Celebrity Pickleball event, my search of the website did not confirm it. Similar to the Pickleball TV, the website has a free video stream, in addition to a subscription option. I do not know whether the free video stream will cover the event.
Summary.
Former Diamondback J.D. Martinez is now playing pickleball instead of baseball. His mindset will enhance his success playing pickleball. It includes success habits, enthusiasm and love of the game, and willingness to change.
On 5 November, fans can likely watch him play celebrity pickleball via live streaming either on Pickleball TV or the Tennis Network.
