The Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award is an annual award given to the most outstanding designated hitter. The award was originally known as the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award and was first given out following the 1973 season, the inaugural year of the DH. The award was originally given out by the Associated Press which discontinued the award in 2000. The Baseball Writers Association of America picked up the award and has given it out ever since. It is voted on by club beat writers, broadcasters, and American League Public Relations Directors. In September 2004 the award was officially renamed the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award in honor of the soon to be retired Edgar Martinez who, at the time, was the unquestioned greatest designated hitter of all-time.