CSUN BECOMES CESAR’S PALACE

The transformation is dramatic. Last season’s Achilles Heel has become Hercules.

With Cal State Northridge teammates on all sides of him flourishing, second baseman Cesar Martinez struggled last year, making 16 errors and batting .250. The Matadors were 52-18, but often Martinez felt he was just along for the ride, a ride that could have ended before this season began.

Clark Parker, a second baseman and three-year starter at UC Santa Barbara, transferred to Northridge , putting Martinez’s job in jeopardy this season.

But this question mark is now an exclamation point.

“It was Cesar’s job to lose and he has become a huge plus on this team,” Coach Mike Batesole said. “It’s common for a junior college transfer to really make his mark his second season in Division I. That’s been the case with Cesar.”

Martinez, formerly of Pierce College and Notre Dame High, is batting .380 with three home runs and five doubles. Batting fifth in the order, he provides solid protection for Adam Kennedy and Jose Miranda, who bat in the third and fourth slots.

Even more noticeable is his improvement on defense. Ground balls to second have gone from being an adventure to a sure thing.

“The change is mental,” Martinez said. “Last year, I didn’t want to deal with baseball. I didn’t care what anybody thought and I didn’t care what I thought. I was burned out from playing year-round my whole life.

“This year, I totally switched my mental game around. I know I can play. There is no doubt in my mind.”

Determination has always been Martinez’s strong suit. Only 5 feet 7 and not blessed with great speed or a strong arm, he has advanced up the baseball ladder by believing in himself.

He stayed at Notre Dame as a senior despite his family’s financial hardships by working on campus as a handyman, doing everything from emptying trash cans to planting trees.

At Pierce, he struggled to find his own identity. Martinez’s older brother, Erik, had been a standout center fielder for the Brahmas before playing at Pepperdine and for two years in the minor leagues.

“They didn’t let me forget what my brother did, how good he was,” Martinez said. “I said, ‘You know what, I’ll be better than him. I’ll make my own name here.’ ”

He played well enough for Northridge to recruit him, fulfilling his dream of having his education paid for through baseball. Martinez, a sociology major who will graduate in the fall, wants to enter law enforcement.

“I’d like to be on a SWAT team, something like that, because I like being part of a team,” he said. “I enjoy people and teamwork.”

Teammates kept him going during his struggles. Now he is enjoying being a senior leader, a player off to a hot start who can offer guidance as well.

“Cesar is so solid as a person, a straight-up guy and a great example to our younger players,” Batesole said. “He deserves everything he’s getting this year.”