Billy Martin
From BR Bullpen
Note: This page links to former major league infielder and manager Billy Martin. For the shortstop who played a single game in 1914, click here.
Alfred Manuel Martin
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Weight 165 lb.
- Debut April 18, 1950
- Final Game October 1, 1961
- Born May 16, 1928 in Berkeley, CA USA
- Died December 25, 1989 in Johnson City, NY USA
Baseball-Reference Player Page
Baseball-Reference Manager Page
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[edit] Biographical Information
"I must remember to always think correctly and quicker than the other fellow." - Billy Martin at age 20
Billy Martin was an All-Star second baseman with the New York Yankees in 1956, but he is best known as a feisty manager. He was one of the best-known managers of his era. He managed a total of 19 years, eight of which were with the high-profile New York Yankees.
As a player, Martin played eleven years in the majors, and appeared in five World Series (all with the Yankees), slugging .566. He missed the 1954 season and most of 1955 while serving in the military.
Billy was always in the middle of the action. Even as a youngster in the minors, he was part of the famous 1948 Oakland Oaks team which won the PCL championship under Casey Stengel's management. The team was called the "Nine Old Men", but Martin was the exception to the rule, being only 20 at the time.
After retiring in 1961, Martin worked as a scout for the Minnesota Twins from 1962 to 1964, and a Twins coach from 1965 to May of 1968. He then replaced Johnny Goryl as manager of the Denver Bears for the rest of 1968, and the Twins in 1969.
As a manager, he led the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, and Oakland Athletics to the postseason, but he is best remembered as the skipper of the Yankees. He led the Yanks to one world championship and two American League pennants and developed a love-hate relationship with team owner George Steinbrenner. Steinbrenner hired and fired Martin five times.
Martin's quick thinking was never more in evidence than in the famous Pine Tar Game, where he managed to undo (at least temporarily) opponent George Brett's home run.
Billy Martin was killed in a car accident on Christmas 1989.
Martin also managed the Texas Rangers to their best finish (to that time) in 1974.
- First Baseball Card appearance 1952 Topps
[edit] Notable Achievements
- AL All-Star (1956)
- Won five World Series with the New York Yankees (1950, 1951, 1952, 1953 & 1956; he did not play in the 1950 World Series)
- ML Manager of the Year Award (1981)
- Division Titles: 6 (1969, 1972, 1976, 1977 & 1981)
- AL Pennants: 2 (1976 & 1977)
- Managed one World Series Champion with the New York Yankees in 1977
- 100 Wins Seasons as Manager: 1 (1977)
| Preceded by Cal Ermer | Minnesota Twins Manager 1969 | Succeeded by Bill Rigney |
| Preceded by Mayo Smith | Detroit Tigers Manager 1971-1973 | Succeeded by Joe Schultz |
| Preceded by Whitey Herzog | Texas Rangers Manager 1973-1975 | Succeeded by Frank Lucchesi |
| Preceded by Bill Virdon | New York Yankees Manager 1975-1978 | Succeeded by Dick Howser |
| Preceded by Bob Lemon | New York Yankees Manager 1979 | Succeeded by Dick Howser |
| Preceded by Jim Marshall | Oakland Athletics Manager 1980-1982 | Succeeded by Steve Boros |
| Preceded by Charlie Finley | Oakland Athletics General Manager 1981-1982 | Succeeded by Sandy Alderson |
| Preceded by Clyde King | New York Yankees Manager 1983 | Succeeded by Yogi Berra |
| Preceded by Yogi Berra | New York Yankees Manager 1985 | Succeeded by Lou Piniella |
| Preceded by Lou Piniella | New York Yankees Manager 1988 | Succeeded by Lou Piniella |
[edit] Further Reading
- Billy Martin and Peter Golenbock: Number 1, Delacorte Press, New York, NY 1980
- Billy Martin and Phil Pepe: Billyball, Doubleday & Co., Garden City, NY 1987
- Peter Golenbock: Wild, High and Tight: The Life and Death of Billy Martin, St. Martin's Press, New York, NY 1994
