Edgar Martinez hopped into a tan 1971 Excalibur convertible yesterday morning and christened his namesake: Edgar Martinez Drive South.

The ceremonial spin followed brief festivities to honor the retired slugger and coincided with the Mariners' first day of single-ticket sales. Hundreds of fans, some having camped overnight in front of the ticket windows, got an unexpected treat when Martinez appeared. "Ed-gar! Ed-gar!" they chorused as he made his way down the street formerly known as South Atlantic.

It didn't matter that one of baseball's greatest hitters barely spoke during the festivities in front of the Safeco Field Parking Garage. His every wave, every nod got the tired line of ticket buyers screaming his nickname, "Papi!"

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels called the new street a fitting tribute for an athlete who during his 18 seasons contributed as much to the community as to his team.

"Those are the values we hope to see in all our professional athletes. He's given Seattle a great legacy of success in baseball and success in life," Nickels said. "Edgar Martinez Drive South will inspire us and future generations every time we come down here to see a game."

Private donations, not tax dollars, paid for eight street signs and other costs associated with the name change, aides in the mayor's office said.

"I promised him that he would be the first one with an 800-foot lined drive," Nickels said after the ceremony.

As Martinez tooled along his street, between First Avenue South and Fourth Avenue South, a throng of boys gave chase and other fans grabbed his arm, yelling "Thanks for the memories!" and "Thanks Edgar!" until the convertible was out of sight.

"It's a great honor," Martinez said later. "It's something I will treasure forever."

Tan Vinh: 206-515-5656 or tvinh@seattletimes.com