SEATTLE -- Age is catching up to two members of the Cleveland Indians -- 40-year-old Dennis Martinez and 44-year-old Dave Winfield.


The torn cartilage in Martinez's left knee will require an operation after the season. And his sore right elbow has made it almost impossible for him to recover from a start after the normal four days' rest.


But even with all the physical breakdowns, Martinez is more suited to win a playoff game today than he was in 1983, when he was young and strong and pitching for the Baltimore Orioles' World Series championship team.


"I was fine physically in 1983, but mentally I was a waste," said Martinez, who was scheduled to oppose Seattle ace Randy Johnson in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series Tuesday night in the Kingdome.


"This time, I've been strong mentally, but physically I'm a waste. But that shows me that the mental part of the game has more impact than the physical part, in some ways. I think that's why I've been able to handle the physical problems -- because I've been strong mentally.''


Martinez was such a wreck in 1983 that then-Baltimore manager Joe Altobelli didn't even use him in the championship series against the Chicago White Sox or the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Few knew at the time, but Martinez was an alcoholic. In 1986, Baltimore dumped him, sending Nicaragua's favorite son to the Montreal Expos for utility infielder Rene Gonzales.


But Martinez sobered up, winning 100 games and compiling a 3.06 ERA for the Expos from 1986-93.


Signed by Cleveland as a free agent in December 1993, Martinez has been the Indians' best pitcher the last two seasons, going 11-6 with a 3.52 ERA in 1994 and winning his first nine decisions en route to a 12-5, 3.08-ERA season in 1995.


But Martinez, who mixes a sinker and slider with an average fastball, does not have a decision in five playoff games, including two this season.


"One of the dreams I have in my baseball career is to win a postseason game," Martinez said. "I think the best thing for me to do, though, is keep the team close and give them a chance to win. Even though I'd like to win personally, [the team's] winning is the bottom line."


For Winfield, it is a case of being all dressed up with nowhere to go.


With a left shoulder injury compounding his part-time status with the talented Indians, the future Hall of Fame outfielder was restricted to 115 at-bats during the regular season and is scheduled for winter surgery. Winfield strained his left rotator cuff in June. He insists that he was repeatedly assured that he would get enough playing time to determine if he could help the club in the playoffs.


Winfield said he never got that opportunity.


"I just didn't think it was fair or right to wait until the end and then make an arbitrary decision."