There's no denying that New York Yankees legend Tino Martinez absolutely adores pickleball.

In fact, the four-time World Series champion has officially partnered with The Pickleball Academy in Oldsmar, FL to serve as an ambassador and strategic advisor.

According to a May 2025 press release, Martinez's involvement will include appearances at events, support of youth and community programming, and promotion of the sport’s positive impact on health, connection and lifestyle.

“I’ve fallen in love with the energy and competitive fun of pickleball,” said Martinez earlier this year. “The Pickleball Academy is building something really special, and I’m excited to help it grow, not just in Florida, but across the Southeast.”

According to a July 7 story in the Tampa Beacon by writer Mike Camunas, the two-time All-Star discovered the facility last summer.

“I was looking for this place about a year ago. I was trying to find it and the door is very hidden. So I was driving back and forth trying to find it and (owner Eric Klaus) pulls up and says, ‘You looking for pickleball?’ I don’t think he recognized me at first,” shared Martinez. “But after playing, we got to talking and just about how much I love playing pickleball now and about how they were expanding and working on growing the game more.”

Klaus is thrilled to have Martinez in the fold.

Being able to pick his brain about topics ranging from professional sports to marketing to real estate is a treat.

“It's cool to have him here I mean whether it's a tournament or he just shows up to play one afternoon, but I think he stays under the radar a bit when here — because he just wants to play, but the pickleball community is such a welcoming, fun, social community I don't think anyone cares on the court,” mentioned Klaus. “He’s helping us grow, for sure, but I also think, while playing, others don’t care whether you're a four-time World Series champion or you're a little old lady who's learning to play the first time — they all come in here and they're all playing pickleball because it's for everyone, and Tino understands that.”

Martinez just appreciates every opportunity to hit the court.

And he's happy to interact with anyone that comes along.

“Some people recognize me and some people don’t. Once I say Tino, there's not too many Tinos around, so once they figure out I'm Tino, and then they really want to beat me to tell their friends or take a selfie with me and all that,” explained Martinez. “It's funny because everybody — the doctors and lawyers, teachers, whoever it is playing — they all are competitive. They all want to win. And they all want to have fun with pickleball. Which is all I want to do, too, while helping The Pickleball Academy grow the sport.”