Manolo Martínez

Friday, August 16, 1996

Widely acclaimed matador, Manolo Martínez, an unequaled figure en Mexican toreo, is in grave medical condition.

This is a major blow to taurine aficionados -- not only for those with the good fortune to have seen some of his faenas in person, benefitting from his epocal bullfighting. But also for young aficionados (as in my case) who, though they only know Manolo's toreo from historical accounts and images, have also benefitted from Manolo Martínez the ganadero. I can tell you without fear of overstatement, that in the four years since I became a taurine aficionado, the most wonderful moments I've experienced were produced by wonderful faenas involving Manolo Martínez bulls -- bulls of class, presence and clearly defined style.

Today the newspaper ESTO (the best-selling sports newspaper in Mexico) spoke about the state of the matador's health:

"As this is being written, at 2AM Friday morning, Manolo Martínez is in the intensive care unit of Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, California, on the verge of death. Two myocardial infarctions have complicated his already precarious condition -- cirossis of the liver, an early-stage cancer, and diabetes elevating his blood sugar. Although his death is expected, the struggle to save him has not been abandoned. His wife, Bertha, is staying by his side and his children (Bertha, Manuel y Mónica) were about to arrive to be at his bedside. In the clinic, in which he was hospitalized for a physical evaluation to determine the possibility of receiving a liver transplant, he has not been in the care of just one doctor, but in the hands of a evaluation team. His treatment was to be decided by the results of the examinations. But, the myocardial infarctions occurred, almost one after the other, in an already-enlarged heart, causing irreprable devastation; among them, a notable drop in his cardiac rhythm and arterial blood pressure. Manolo has been maintained by intense medical intervention in the hope that he may react favorably to treatment. But as he has not responded, his wife has asked that he not be made to suffer anymore, and asked for extreme unction. As this is being written, the greatest torero of the era is about to die."

It is ironic to think that some months ago it was said that Manolo was preparing to return to the plaza and give the alternativa to his protégé, el "Cuate" Espinoza -- for which he had suffered some mocking attacks. That's why I'm writing this note, with the desire that everyone might pray for the matador's health. It would be tragic to see him leave us without fully realizing the work he had begun with his ganaderia -- work for which he deserves to "salir a hombros," as he was so accustomed as a matador.

Saturday, August 17, 1996

Although it looks like my prayers were late, maybe God had planned a great bullfight in heaven.Manolo Martínez died yesterday, fifty years old. And with his death ended one of the greatest eras in Mexican bullfighting.

It is true that Manolo's personal life had a controversial flair; it was a life full of excess. But we are not properly judges of any life. It is sufficient that we judged his bullfights, and on that count he commanded Mexican bullfighting in the 70's and 80's.

It will certainly be a long, long time before anyone is able to fill Manolo Martinez' shoes. In fact, he may remain the best bullfighter that México ever produces.

Sunday, August 18, 1996

Plaza México suspended Sunday's novillada in memory of Manolo Martínez' death. This has no precedent in Mexico City. But Manolo deserves it. If anyone commands Plaza México, it is he.

Monday, August 19, 1996

A moving funeral mass was held in the Plaza México bullring, at 4:15 in the afternoon.In this way the public got together (although not filling the plaza, clearly great in number) and we said our final goodbye to Manolo.Among shouts of "Manolo, Manolo y ya!", and "Torero, Torero!," and in front of a white backdrop created by thousands of handkercheifs waived by those attending, Manolo took his last turns around the plaza -- on his arrival, and at the end of the mass.

When the mass was over, Manolo was taken to the "Panteón Español" where his remains were cremated. At 10:45 (pm), Plaza México again welcomed Manolo, this time to a specially constructed niche where the Plaza walls will permanently embrace his ashes.So closes a chapter in the story of bullfighting in México, with the arrival of the great owner of Plaza México: Manolo Martínez.

Thanks to Stanley Conrad and Urlich Tagle for the translation.