Jack Martin (baseball)

John Christopher Martin (April 19, 1887 – July 4, 1980) was a weak-hitting, slick-fielding infielder in Major League Baseball, playing mainly at shortstop for three different teams between the 1912 and 1914 seasons. Listed at 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m), 159 lb., he batted and threw right-handed.

Jack Martin
Shortstop
Born: (1887-04-19)April 19, 1887
Plainfield, New Jersey
Died: July 4, 1980(1980-07-04) (aged 93)
The Bronx, New York
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 25, 1912, for the New York Highlanders
Last MLB appearance
October 6, 1914, for the Philadelphia Phillies
MLB statistics
Batting average.237
Home runs0
RBIs43
Teams

A native of Plainfield, New Jersey, Martin played baseball for Plainfield High School.[1]

After a lengthy minor league baseball career, Martin entered the majors in 1912 as the regular shortstop for the Yankees, when they were known as the New York Highlanders. In 1914, he divided his playing time between the Boston Braves and Philadelphia Phillies.

In a three-year career, Martin was a .237 hitter (144-for-608) with 66 runs and 43 RBI in 187 games, including 13 doubles, four triples, 20 stolen bases, and a .323 on-base percentage without home runs.

Following his playing retirement, Martin became a manager and coach in the minor leagues. He managed Jim Thorpe when Thorpe played for the 1916 Milwaukee Brewers in the American Association.

In 1954, Martin moved to Brick Township, New Jersey, where he lived out his twilight years. He was beloved and well known for helping his neighbors. In 1978 was honored by the Brick Township council for being an inspiration to youth, as the Jack Martin Boulevard is named after him.[2]

Martin suffered two heart attacks just after being introduced at the 34th annual New York Yankees Old-Timers' Day on June 21, 1980. He died 13 days later after having been hospitalized at Montefiore Hospital in The Bronx, New York. At the time of his death, at age 93, Martin was the oldest living former Yankees and Phillies player.

Chronology
  • May 25, 1912 – During the first game of a double-header at Hilltop Park, Martin was hit by a pitch twice by Washington Senators pitcher Walter Johnson. The second time he had his jaw shattered by a fastball and, eventually, was out of action for five weeks. Johnson‚ who consciously avoided throwing at batters nevertheless hit 205 batters in his illustrious career.
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References
  1. Faber, Charles F. "Jack Martin", Society for American Baseball Research. Accessed November 9, 2017. "John Christopher Martin was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, in the central part of the state, on April 19, 1887. The son of Adeline and James B. Martin, a trolley conductor, Jack played baseball at Plainfield High School and for the town’s amateur clubs."
  2. "Jack Martin Dead; Oldest Ex-Yankee - Jerseyan, 93, Played at Shortstop for the Highlanders In 1912". New York Times. July 6, 1980. p. 24. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
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