J.C. Martin

Joseph Clifton Martin

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 200 lb.
• High School Ridgeway (VA) High School
• Debut September 10, 1959
• Final Game August 12, 1972
• Born December 13, 1936 in Axton, VA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

J.C. Martin drove in 2 runs in Game 1 of the 1969 NLCS. He pinch hit for Tom Seaver and singled off Phil Niekro, scoring Al Weis and Ed Kranepool. The Mets won the game, 9-5. His 10th inning pinch-hit sacrifice bunt with runners at first and second turned into a walk-off win for the Mets in Game 4 of the 1969 World Series, when the throw to first base deflected off Martin, allowing the lead runner to score.

Martin came to the majors as a first baseman/third baseman with the Chicago White Sox in 1959. Converted to a catcher, he specialized in handling the treacherous knuckleball of Hoyt Wilhelm. He was dealt to the New York Mets and then to the Chicago Cubs.

After his playing career ended, he was a Chicago Cubs coach in 1974 and teamed with Harry Caray for television broadcasts of Chicago White Sox games in 1975 on WFLD-TV, Chanel 44. In 1981-1982, he was head coach of Wheaton College. His son Jay Martin was a college coach.

Notable Achievements

• 1961 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
• Won a World Series with the New York Mets in 1969

Related Sites

• J.C. Martin at the SABR Bio Project