View source for Pepper Martin

{{Short description|American baseball player (1904–1965)}}
{{about|the baseball player|the actor|Pepper Martin (actor)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Pepper Martin
|position=[[Outfielder]] / [[Third baseman]]
|image=Pepper Martin, Los Angeles Daily News.jpg
|width=180px
|caption=Martin, circa 1942
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{birth date|1904|02|29}}
|birth_place=[[Temple, Oklahoma]], U.S.
|death_date={{death date and age|1965|03|05|1904|02|29}}
|death_place=[[McAlester, Oklahoma]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=April 16 
|debutyear=1928
|debutteam=St. Louis Cardinals
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=October 4
|finalyear=1944
|finalteam=St. Louis Cardinals
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.298
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2value=59
|stat3label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat3value=501
|teams=
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{baseball year|1928}}, {{baseball year|1930}}–{{baseball year|1940}}, {{baseball year|1944}})
|highlights=
* 4× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1933 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1933]]–[[1935 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1935]], [[1937 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1937]])
* 2× [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1931}}, {{wsy|1934}})
* 3× [[List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leaders|NL stolen base leader]] (1933, 1934, 1936)
* [[St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum|St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame]]
}}
'''Johnny Leonard Roosevelt "Pepper" Martin''' (February 29, 1904 – March 5, 1965) was an American professional [[baseball]] player and minor league [[Manager (baseball)|manager]]. He was known as the "Wild Horse of the Osage" because of his daring, aggressive [[baserunning]]. Martin played in [[Major League Baseball]] as a [[third baseman]] and an [[outfielder]] for the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] during the 1930s and early 1940s. He was best known for his heroics during the [[1931 World Series]], in which he was the catalyst in a Cardinals' upset victory over the [[Philadelphia Athletics]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ozIDAAAAMBAJ&q=pepper+martin+baseball+digest&pg=PA24 |title=All-Time World Series Team |author=Vass, George |date=October 1971 |magazine=Baseball Digest |access-date=March 15, 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Martin was an integral member of the Cardinals' teams of the 1930s that became known as the [[Gashouse Gang]] for their roguish behavior and practical jokes. Early in his career, he was labeled by some contemporary press reports as the next [[Ty Cobb]] because of his spirited, hustling style of play.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pepper Martin May Be Another Ty Cobb |work=The Times Daily |page=7 |date=October 14, 1931 |access-date=December 28, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NywsAAAAIBAJ&pg=3430,3638112&dq=pepper+martin+ty+cobb&hl=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=John Leonard Pepper Martin Second Ty Cobb |work=The Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal |page=15 |date=October 18, 1931 |access-date=December 28, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aJBSAAAAIBAJ&pg=1072,5508100&dq=pepper+martin+ty+cobb&hl=en}}</ref> However, because his headlong attitude on the playing field took a physical toll on his body, he never lived up to those initial expectations.<ref name="Pepper Martin Once More Sparks Cards">{{cite news |title=Pepper Martin Once More Sparks Cards |work=The Deseret News |page=15 |date=August 25, 1939 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=S4MqAAAAIBAJ&pg=4815,1097439&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref> After the end of his playing career, he continued his career in baseball as a successful minor league baseball manager. In 2017, Martin was inducted into the [[St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum|St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame]].

==Baseball career==

===Early career===
Born in Temple, Oklahoma, Martin moved to [[Oklahoma City]] with his parents at the age of six where he grew up playing baseball.<ref name="Pepper Martin at the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame">{{cite web |url=http://www.jimthorpeassoc.org/ok-sports-hof/hall-of-fame-members/martin-pepper/ |title=Pepper Martin at the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame |publisher=jimthorpeassoc.org |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524171242/http://www.jimthorpeassoc.org/ok-sports-hof/hall-of-fame-members/martin-pepper/ |archive-date=May 24, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> At 19, he began his professional career when he signed to play as a [[shortstop]] in the [[Oklahoma State League]] for a team in Guthrie, Oklahoma.<ref name="Pepper Martin at the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame"/> When the league folded in 1924, his contract was sold to the [[Greenville Hunters]] of the [[East Texas League]].<ref name="The Game I'll Never Forget">{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dzIDAAAAMBAJ&q=1934+world+series+baseball+digest&pg=PA37 |title=The Game I'll Never Forget |author=Laux, France |date=June 1970 |magazine=Baseball Digest |access-date=March 15, 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 1925, he posted a .340 batting average in 98 games for the Hunters<ref name="Pepper Martin minor league statistics">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=martin011joh |title=Pepper Martin minor league statistics |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 15, 2011}}</ref> and his contract was acquired by the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] to play for their [[Western Association]] affiliate, the [[Fort Smith Twins]].<ref name="Pepper Martin minor league statistics"/> He continued to post batting averages above the .300 mark. In 1927, Martin hit for a .306 average in 147 games with the [[Houston Buffaloes]], earning him a promotion to the major leagues.<ref name="Pepper Martin minor league statistics"/>

After spending five years in the [[Minor League Baseball|minor leagues]], Martin made his major league debut with the Cardinals on April 16, [[1928 St. Louis Cardinals season|1928]] at the age of 24.<ref name="Pepper Martin statistics">{{cite web |title=Pepper Martin statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martipe01.shtml |access-date=March 15, 2011 |publisher=Baseball-Reference}}</ref> He posted a .308 batting average in 39 games as a [[utility player]], helping the Cardinals win the National League pennant.<ref name="Pepper Martin statistics"/> Martin made one appearance as a [[pinch runner]] in the [[1928 World Series]], which the Cardinals lost in four consecutive games to the [[1928 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]].<ref name="Pepper Martin post-season batting statistics">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martipe01.shtml#batting_postseason::none |title=Pepper Martin post-season batting statistics |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 15, 2011}}</ref> Despite his respectable batting average, Martin was sent back to Houston in January 1929, where he hit for a .298 batting average.<ref name="Pepper Martin minor league statistics"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Cards Release Williamson and Martin To Houston Club |agency=Associated Press |work=Argus-Leader |page=8 |date=January 5, 1929 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/230131981/?match=1&clipping_id=171265246}}</ref> The following season, he was promoted to the [[Rochester Red Wings]] where his offensive statistics improved with 20 [[home run]]s, a .363 batting average, and a .631 [[slugging percentage]], helping the Red Wings win the 1930 [[International League]] title.<ref name="Pepper Martin minor league statistics"/> The Red Wings then defeated the [[Louisville Colonels (minor league baseball)|Louisville Colonels]] of the [[American Association (20th century)|American Association]] to win the [[Junior World Series]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Rochester Wins "Little Series" From Louisville |agency=Associated Press |work=Meriden Record |page=13 |date=October 3, 1930 |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3dtHAAAAIBAJ&pg=1052,3071049&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref>

Martin's performance earned him a return to the major leagues with the Cardinals in [[1931 St. Louis Cardinals season|1931]].<ref name="Pepper Martin statistics"/> When veteran [[center fielder]] [[Taylor Douthit]] went into a hitting slump, Martin replaced him and played well enough that Cardinals president, [[Branch Rickey]] traded Douthit to the [[Cincinnati Reds]] in June.<ref name="Douthit To The Reds">{{cite news |title=Douthit To The Reds |agency=Associated Press |work=St. Joseph News-Press |page=5 |date=June 15, 1931 |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sUtkAAAAIBAJ&pg=2507,1665267&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref> Martin impressed observers with his hustle in the outfield as well as on the base paths, where he often slid into bases head-first.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pepper Martin Sensation |work=Rochester Evening Journal |page=26 |date=May 14, 1931 |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RU5ZAAAAIBAJ&dq=pepper%20martin&pg=1531%2C2138025}}</ref> He ended the year with a .300 batting average along with seven home runs and 75 [[runs batted in]] to help the Cardinals clinch the 1931 National League [[Pennant (sports)|pennant]] by 13 games over the [[1931 New York Giants (MLB) season|New York Giants]].<ref name="Pepper Martin statistics"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1931.shtml |title=1931 National League final standings |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 15, 2011}}</ref>

===World Series star===
The [[1931 World Series]] was a rematch of the previous year's participants, pitting the Cardinals against the [[1931 Philadelphia Athletics season|Philadelphia Athletics]]. Led by [[Connie Mack]], the Athletics had won the previous two World Series and were heavily favored to win for a third consecutive year.<ref name="The Peppering Of Philly">{{cite web |title=The Peppering Of Philly |url=https://thisgreatgame.com/1931-baseball-history/ |access-date=March 15, 2011 |website=This Great Game}}</ref> They featured five future [[National Baseball Hall of Fame|Hall of Famers]] in [[Mickey Cochrane]], [[Jimmie Foxx]], [[Lefty Grove]], [[Waite Hoyt]], and [[Al Simmons]].

In Game 1 held at [[Sportsman's Park]] in St. Louis, Martin had three hits, including a [[Double (baseball)|double]], a [[stolen base]] and drove in one run in a 6–2 loss to the ace of the Athletics staff, 31-game winning pitcher Lefty Grove.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN193110010.shtml |title=1931 World Series Game 1 |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 15, 2011}}</ref> Martin proved to be the difference in Game 2 in what was otherwise a tight pitching duel between [[Bill Hallahan]] of the Cardinals and [[George Earnshaw]] for the Athletics. Martin scored the first [[Run (baseball)|run]] of the game in the second [[inning]] by stretching a [[Single (baseball)|single]] into a double when the ball was mishandled in the outfield, stealing third base, and then scoring on a [[sacrifice fly]].<ref name="The Peppering Of Philly"/> Martin added another run in the seventh inning when he hit a single, stole second base, took third base on a [[fielder's choice]], and then scored on a [[Squeeze play (baseball)|squeeze bunt]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN193110020.shtml |title=1931 World Series Game 2 |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 15, 2011}}</ref> Those would be the only runs of the game as Hallahan pitched a three-hit [[shutouts in baseball|shutout]] to even the series, 1–1.<ref name="Pepper Martin post-season batting statistics"/>

The series moved to [[Shibe Park]] in Philadelphia for Game 3, where Martin had two hits, including a double, and scored twice in a 5–2 Cardinals' victory over Grove.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHA/PHA193110050.shtml |title=1931 World Series Game 3 |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 15, 2011}}</ref> In Game 4, he produced the only two hits by the Cardinals as they lost to Earnshaw, 3–0.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHA/PHA193110060.shtml |title=1931 World Series Game 4 |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 15, 2011}}</ref> Martin almost single-handedly provided the offense for the Cardinals in Game 5, driving in four runs with two singles, a home run and a sacrifice fly, as the Cardinals triumphed 5–1.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHA/PHA193110070.shtml |title=1931 World Series Game 5 |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 15, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=One-Man Show Off To St. Louis |agency=Associated Press |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |page=26 |date=October 8, 1931 |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XtBXAAAAIBAJ&dq=pepper%20martin&pg=7133%2C2042267}}</ref> Although he was held hitless in the final two games of the series, he made an impressive catch to extinguish an Athletics two-run rally in the ninth inning of Game 7 to end the game and clinch the world championship for the Cardinals.<ref name="The Peppering Of Philly"/>

Martin had a then-record 12 hits in the series, including four doubles, a home run, five stolen bases, and five runs batted in.<ref name="The Peppering Of Philly"/><ref name="Pepper Martin post-season batting statistics"/> Martin's .500 series batting average may have made the difference in the series outcome, as without him the Cardinals batted just .205 as a team.<ref name="The Peppering Of Philly"/> During the series, Martin was asked how he had learned to run so fast; he replied, "I grew up in Oklahoma, and once you start runnin' out there there ain't nothin' to stop you."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballlibrary.com/excerpts/excerpt.php?book=red_smith&page=9|title=The Book: Red Smith on Baseball|access-date=January 27, 2009|publisher=BaseballLibrary.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070906012355/http://www.baseballlibrary.com/excerpts/excerpt.php?book=red_smith&page=9|archive-date=September 6, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Hall of Fame manager [[John McGraw]] described Martin's performance as "the greatest individual performance in the history of the World Series".<ref name="Pepper Martin Now a Manager">{{cite news |title=Pepper Martin Now a Manager |agency=Associated Press |work=St. Petersburg Times |date=October 16, 1940 |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E6kwAAAAIBAJ&pg=3501,4002306&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref> In December, he was selected as [[Associated Press Athlete of the Year|male athlete of the year]] by the [[Associated Press]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Pepper Martin Wins Poll On Outstanding Brilliance |agency=Associated Press |work=The Day |page=12 |date=December 19, 1931 |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=upErAAAAIBAJ&pg=3127,3805870&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref>

===Later career===
Martin experienced an injury-plagued season in [[1932 St. Louis Cardinals season|1932]], missing several weeks when he dislocated his shoulder in April and missed a month and a half when he broke a finger in July while sliding into [[home plate]].<ref>{{cite news |title=League Champs Get Fans' Razzberry |work=The Sunday Morning Star |page=25 |date=May 1, 1932 |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8NImAAAAIBAJ&pg=1073,7369203&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pepper Martin Is Lost to Cardinals |agency=INS |work=The Telegraph-Herald |page=4 |date=July 4, 1932 |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=euNFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4840,3809788&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref> In August, Cardinals manager [[Gabby Street]] moved Martin to third base to fill the gap left by the injured [[Sparky Adams]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Infielder "Pepper" Martin |agency=Associated Press |work=The Deseret News |page=12 |date=August 29, 1932 |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nXZSAAAAIBAJ&pg=4530,5091968&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref> Martin was not a naturally gifted third baseman, often fielding balls after having stopped them with his chest.<ref name="The Game I'll Never Forget"/><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BJiihUdkDH8C&q=pepper%20martin&pg=PA109 |title=Pepper Martin: a baseball biography |author=Barthel, Thomas |year=2003 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9780786416028 |access-date=March 16, 2011 }}</ref> He ended the season with a .238 batting average with four home runs and 34 runs batted in as the Cardinals fell to seventh place in the National League.<ref name="Pepper Martin statistics"/>

[[File:PepperMartinGoudeycard.jpg|thumb|Martin depicted on a 1933 Goudey trading card.]]
Having rebounded from his injuries, in [[1933 St. Louis Cardinals season|1933]] Martin was leading the league in hitting with a .363 batting average in the middle of June, earning him a starting role as the third baseman for the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] team in the inaugural [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game]] held on July 6, [[1933 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1933]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Martin Is Pursued By Chuck Klein |work=The Milwaukee Sentinel |date=June 18, 1933 |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=30NQAAAAIBAJ&pg=4648,2937674&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ALS/ALS193307060.shtml |title=1933 All-Star Game |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 15, 2011 }}</ref> Now hitting as the Cardinals' [[leadoff hitter]], he finished the season ranked sixth in the league with a career-high .316 average and led the league with 122 runs scored and 26 stolen bases.<ref name="1933 National League Batting Leaders">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1933-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1933 National League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 15, 2011 }}</ref> Martin ranked tenth in the league with a .456 [[slugging percentage]], and he had a career-high .387 [[on-base percentage]] along with 36 doubles, 12 [[Triple (baseball)|triples]] and eight home runs as the Cardinals improved to a fifth-place finish.<ref name="1933 National League Batting Leaders"/> He came in fifth place in the voting results for the 1933 National League [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player Award]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1933.shtml#NLmvp |title=1933 National League Most Valuable Player Award ballot |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 15, 2011 }}</ref>

Martin's batting average dropped to .289 in [[1934 St. Louis Cardinals season|1934]], and he once again led the league in stolen bases as the Cardinals rallied from seven games behind the [[1934 New York Giants (MLB) season|New York Giants]] in early September to win the National League pennant on the last day of the season.<ref name="Pepper Martin statistics"/><ref name="Dizzy, Dazzy and Ducky">{{cite web |title=Dizzy, Dazzy and Ducky |url=https://thisgreatgame.com/1934-baseball-history/ |access-date=March 15, 2011 |website=This Great Game}}</ref> He made an appearance as a [[relief pitcher]] on August 19, allowing one hit in two innings pitched.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cards Split Bargain Bill With Braves |agency=Associated Press |work=The Milwaukee Sentinel |page=10 |date=August 20, 1934 |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oTwaAAAAIBAJ&pg=6610,3178962&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en }}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In a memorable [[1934 World Series]] against the [[1934 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]], the Cardinals were down 3 games to 2, before rebounding to win the final two games.<ref name="The Game I'll Never Forget"/> The series was highlighted by several rough plays on the base paths that culminated in Game 7, when [[Joe Medwick]] made a rough slide into Tigers' third baseman [[Marv Owen]].<ref name="Cardinals Rule Baseball Third Time In Nine Years">{{cite news |title=Cardinals Rule Baseball Third Time In Nine Years |agency=Associated Press |work=The Meriden Daily Journal |page=4 |date=October 9, 1934 |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-wpJAAAAIBAJ&dq=pepper%20martin&pg=3307%2C273499}}</ref> The following inning, outraged Detroit fans pelted Medwick with debris when he assumed his defensive position in the outfield.<ref name="Cardinals Rule Baseball Third Time In Nine Years"/> The disturbance wasn't quelled until the umpires appealed to [[Commissioner of Baseball|baseball commissioner]] [[Kenesaw Mountain Landis]], who had Medwick removed from the game.<ref name="Cardinals Rule Baseball Third Time In Nine Years"/> Martin ended the series with 11 hits for a .355 average, stole two bases and scored eight runs in the series.<ref name="Pepper Martin post-season batting statistics"/> He experienced difficulties in the field, committing 3 [[Error (baseball)|errors]] in Game 4 and setting a World Series record with four errors overall.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN193410060.shtml |title=1934 World Series Game 4 |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 16, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Seven All-Time Records For World Series Set This Year |agency=Associated Press |work=The Meriden Daily Journal |page=4 |date=October 9, 1934 |access-date=March 19, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-wpJAAAAIBAJ&dq=pepper%20martin&pg=5905%2C271501}}</ref> While in a St. Louis hospital in December 1934, for a minor operation on his left arm, Martin insisted that he be entertained by a [[Western music (North America)|cowboy]] musical group that he had hired. He created such a disturbance among the other patients that the hospital staff moved him to an isolated wing.<ref>{{cite news |title='Pepper' Martin Big Buddies; Both Met in Missouri Hospital |agency=United Press International |work=The Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal |page=12 |date=December 21, 1934 |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CN9BAAAAIBAJ&pg=2566,1680649&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref> Martin, along with Cardinals teammates such as [[Leo Durocher]], [[Dizzy Dean]] and Joe Medwick among others, became known as the 1934 [[Gashouse Gang]] due to their boisterous activities on and off the field.<ref name="Dizzy, Dazzy and Ducky"/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DbcDAAAAMBAJ&q=gas+house+gang+baseball+digest&pg=PA29 |title=The Gashouse Gang- Laughing Gas, That Is |author=Lyall, Smith |date=July 1960 |magazine=Baseball Digest |access-date=March 15, 2011 }}</ref> He played the guitar in a [[Old-time music|hillbilly]] band composed of Cardinals players named The Mudcat Band.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oTMDAAAAMBAJ&q=pepper+martin+baseball+digest&pg=PA70 |title=Baseball's All-Time Team of 'Screwballs' |author=Vass, George |date=June 1971 |magazine=Baseball Digest |access-date=March 15, 2011 }}</ref>

Although Martin had a good year offensively in [[1935 St. Louis Cardinals season|1935]], he continued to struggle defensively at third base. In the midst of a tight [[pennant race]] in July, he committed three costly errors in a loss to the Giants and ended the year with 30 errors.<ref>{{cite news |title=New York Teams Hold On To Leads |agency=Associated Press |work=Lawrence Journal World |page=8 |date=July 24, 1935 |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=v4hSAAAAIBAJ&pg=2426,4247124&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref> He was hitting for .333 by mid-season to earn the starting third baseman's position in the [[1935 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1935 All-Star Game]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ALS/ALS193507080.shtml |title=1935 All-Star Game |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 15, 2011 }}</ref> For the season, he hit for a .299 average with nine home runs and 54 runs batted in.<ref name="Pepper Martin statistics"/> In October, Martin underwent surgery again, this time on his right arm.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pepper Martin Is In Hospital |agency=Associated Press |work=Herald-Journal |date=October 3, 1935 |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iIosAAAAIBAJ&pg=3152,2898616&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref> In January 1936, Branch Rickey asked Martin to curtail his extra-curricular activities. Already well known as a hunting and fishing enthusiast, Martin had taken up the hobby of [[midget car racing]] and was also playing in football and basketball games during the winter months.<ref name="Cardinals To Curb Martin">{{cite news |title=Cardinals To "Curb" Martin |agency=Associated Press |work=Youngstown Vindicator |page=6 |date=January 11, 1936 |access-date=March 15, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9y5JAAAAIBAJ&pg=3450,3700249&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref> He also became the vice-president and general manager of an Oklahoma City ice hockey team.<ref name="Cardinals To Curb Martin"/>

Martin moved back to the outfield, playing as the Cardinals' [[right fielder]] in [[1936 St. Louis Cardinals season|1936]] as the Cardinals battled the New York Giants for the National League title before settling for second place. He responded with a good year offensively, hitting for a .309 average with career-highs in home runs (11) and in runs batted in (76).<ref name="Pepper Martin statistics"/> Martin also again led the league in stolen bases with 23.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1936-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1936 National League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 15, 2011 }}</ref> He continued to hit well by [[1937 St. Louis Cardinals season|1937]], although he was relegated to a part-time role, as his spirited, headlong style of play took its toll on his body.<ref name="The Peppering Of Philly"/><ref name="Pepper Martin Once More Sparks Cards"/> At the beginning of the [[1939 St. Louis Cardinals season|1939 season]], he was named as the Cardinals' team captain, taking the job from Leo Durocher, who had been traded to the [[Brooklyn Dodgers]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Pepper Martin Named Captain Of Cardinals |agency=Associated Press |work=Meriden Record |page=13 |date=March 3, 1939 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w6JHAAAAIBAJ&pg=7069,4839816&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref> He experienced a resurgence, leading the team with a .340 batting average in June before a sprained wrist put him out of action for two weeks.<ref>{{cite news |title=To Honor Pepper Martin |agency=Associated Press |work=St. Joseph News-Press |page=12 |date=June 1, 1939 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tFJhAAAAIBAJ&pg=5180,5777290&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref> He ended the season with a .306 batting average in 88 games, helping the Cardinals to finish second in the National League.<ref name="Pepper Martin statistics"/> Martin hit for a respectable .316 average in [[1940 St. Louis Cardinals season|1940]] before the Cardinals named him as the [[player-manager]] of the [[Sacramento Solons]] of the [[Pacific Coast League]] in October.<ref name="Pepper Martin statistics"/><ref name="Pepper Martin Now a Manager"/>

Martin led Sacramento to a second-place finish in 1941 before leading them to their first Pacific Coast League championship in 38 years in 1942.<ref name="Pepper Martin Through With Major League Ball">{{cite news |title=Pepper Martin Through With Major League Ball |agency=Associated Press |work=The Milwaukee Journal |page=2 |date=October 17, 1944 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=W7UWAAAAIBAJ&pg=6294,596069&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He then became a player-manager for the Rochester Red Wings in 1943.<ref name="Pepper Martin Through With Major League Ball"/> When professional baseball experienced a shortage of players during World War II, Martin returned to the major leagues in [[1944 St. Louis Cardinals season|1944]] with the Cardinals at the age of 40. In 40 games with the Cardinals, he posted a .279 batting average and an impressive .386 on-base percentage to help the Cardinals clinch the 1944 National League pennant.<ref name="Pepper Martin statistics"/> Martin did not appear in the [[1944 World Series]], playing his final major league game on October 1, 1944.<ref name="Pepper Martin statistics"/>

==Career statistics==
In a 13-year major league career, Martin played in 1,189 [[Games played|games]], accumulating 1,227 [[Hit (baseball)|hits]] in 4,117 [[at bats]] for a .298 career batting average along with 756 [[run (baseball)|runs]], 270 [[double (baseball)|doubles]], 75 [[triple (baseball)|triples]], .443 slugging percentage, 59 home runs, 501 runs batted in, 146 stolen bases, 369 [[bases on balls]] and an [[on-base percentage]] of .358.<ref name="Pepper Martin statistics"/> He retired with a .973 career [[fielding percentage]] in 613 games as an outfielder and a .927 fielding percentage in 429 games as a third baseman.<ref name="Pepper Martin statistics"/> A four-time All-Star, Martin's World Series career batting average of .418 (23-for-55) is still a series record, and he is tied for 10th with seven World Series stolen bases.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/postseason/mlb_ws_records.jsp?type=career |title=World Series Records |work=mlb.com |access-date=March 16, 2011 }}</ref> He led the National League three times in stolen bases and once in runs scored.<ref name="Pepper Martin statistics"/> On May 5, 1933, Martin [[Hitting for the cycle|hit for the cycle]] in a game against the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] at the [[Baker Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI193305050.shtml |title=May 5, 1933 Cardinals-Phillies box score |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 16, 2011 }}</ref>

==Managerial career==
[[File:Pepper Martin 1946.jpg|thumb|Martin during his time as [[player-manager]] of the [[San Diego Padres (PCL)|San Diego Padres]] of the [[Pacific Coast League]].]]
After the end of his major league career, Martin returned to the minor leagues, serving as a player-manager with the [[San Diego Padres (PCL)|San Diego Padres]] of the Pacific Coast League in 1945 and 1946 before becoming the player-manager for the [[Greenville Spinners]] of the [[South Atlantic League]] in 1947.<ref name="Pepper Martin minor league managing record">{{cite web |title=Pepper Martin minor league managing record |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=martin011joh#standard_managing::none |access-date=March 15, 2011 |publisher=Baseball-Reference}}</ref> His fiery, competitive nature was still evident in July 1945 when it was reported that he had punched one of his players for not performing to his standards.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pepper Martin Slaps Pitcher |agency=Associated Press |work=Saskatoon Star-Phoenix |page=9 |date=July 24, 1945 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oJNjAAAAIBAJ&pg=5212,1755186&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref> While managing the [[Miami Sun Sox]] of the [[Florida International League]] in 1949, he was fined and suspended for the remainder of the season for choking an [[Umpire (baseball)|umpire]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Pepper Martin Is Suspended For Choking Umpire |agency=Associated Press |work=The Milwaukee Journal |page=8 |date=September 2, 1949 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9vQZAAAAIBAJ&pg=3026,883088&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en }}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In August 1951, he made news again when he was arrested after a Sun Sox game when he went into the stands to punch a spectator in [[Lakeland, Florida]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Pepper Martin Arrested For Punching Fan |agency=Associated Press |work=The News and Courier |page=3 |date=August 12, 1951 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4zRJAAAAIBAJ&pg=1331,2402488&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en }}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

When the Sun Sox released him, Martin was hired to manage the Miami Beach Flamingos of the Florida International League in 1952.<ref>{{cite news |title=Martin Hired |agency=Associated Press |work=Toledo Blade |page=29 |date=February 2, 1952 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XOVOAAAAIBAJ&pg=2281,2855702&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref> Despite leading them to a 103-49 record, the Flamingos finished the season one game behind his former team, the Sun Sox.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/league.cgi?id=11523 |title=1952 Florida International League |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 16, 2011 }}</ref> In 1953, he became the manager of the Fort Lauderdale Lions and led them to the Florida International League title.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/league.cgi?id=11524 |title=1953 Florida International League |publisher=Baseball-Reference |access-date=March 16, 2011 }}</ref> After spending the 1954 season as the manager for the [[Portsmouth Merrimacs]], Martin was named as a [[Coach (baseball)|coach]] for the [[Chicago Cubs]] in September 1955.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pepper Martin New Cub Coach |agency=Associated Press |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |page=4 |date=September 25, 1955 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hFQxAAAAIBAJ&pg=3550,2583186&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en }}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[Stan Hack]] was fired as the Cubs manager when they finished in last place in the [[1956 Chicago Cubs season|1956 season]], and the new Cubs manager, [[Bob Scheffing]], asked for Martin's resignation along with the rest of the coaching staff.<ref>{{cite news |title=As Expected Scheffing Is Cub Pilot |agency=Associated Press |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |page=4 |date=October 13, 1956 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QWBQAAAAIBAJ&pg=7085,1140900&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en }}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Martin returned to the minor leagues once again where he became a player-coach for the [[Tulsa Oilers (baseball)|Tulsa Oilers]], playing his final game at the age of 54.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pepper Martin Back In Action |agency=Associated Press |work=The Calgary Herald |page=36 |date=May 31, 1958 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lmZkAAAAIBAJ&pg=3977,7099643&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref> He took his final field assignment as the manager of the [[Miami Marlins (IL)|Miami Marlins]] in 1959.<ref>{{cite news |title=Marlins Will Bite If They Can Absorb Martin's Pepper |work=The Pittsburgh Press |date=January 10, 1959 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jGYcAAAAIBAJ&pg=7241,3521485&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref>

==Later life==
Before his death, Martin served briefly as the athletic director of the [[Oklahoma State Penitentiary]] at [[McAlester, Oklahoma]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Pepper Martin In Prison Job |agency=Associated Press |work=Lawrence Journal-World |page=8 |date=October 6, 1960 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=c8MxAAAAIBAJ&pg=5208,427075&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en}}</ref> He died on March 5, 1965, after suffering a heart attack.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gas House Gang's Pepper Martin Dies |agency=Associated Press |work=The Palm Beach Post |date=March 5, 1965 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9cQiAAAAIBAJ&pg=1182,1216780&dq=pepper+martin&hl=en }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> His wife, Ruby, survived him by over four decades, dying just after her 99th birthday in 2009.

Martin was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 1992<ref name="Pepper Martin at the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame" /> and was enshrined into the [[St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum|St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame]] in 2017.<ref name="McGwire, McCarver, Martin join Cardinals HOF">{{Cite web |title=McGwire, McCarver, Martin join Cardinals HOF |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mcgwire-mccarver-martin-join-cardinals-hof-c250793924 |access-date=2017-08-29 |website=Major League Baseball |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
*[[List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball annual runs scored leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Sources==
* {{cite book |last=Barthel |first=Thomas |title=Pepper Martin: A Baseball Biography |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |date=2003 |isbn=978-0786416028 }}

==Further reading==
*{{cite web |url=http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/81aa707b |title=Pepper Martin |first=Norm |last=King |website=[[Society for American Baseball Research|SABR]]}}
*[http://tulsatvmemories.com/peprecip.html Pepper Martin's Sour Dough Biscuits Recipe]

==External links==
{{Baseballstats|br=m/martipe01|brm=martin011joh}}, or [http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/M/Pmartp103.htm Retrosheet]
*[http://www.uni-watch.com/wp-content/uploads/1935-Pepper-Martin-Dizzy-Dean-racecar-edit2.jpg Photo of Martin behind the wheel of his midget race car]
*{{findagrave}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-ach|ach}}
{{Succession box| before = [[Mickey Cochrane]] | title = [[Hitting for the cycle]]| years = May 5, 1933 | after = [[Chuck Klein]]}}
{{S-end}}

{{1931 St. Louis Cardinals}}
{{1934 St. Louis Cardinals}}
{{St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame}}
{{NL stolen base champions}}
{{APAthleteOTY}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Martin, Pepper}}
[[Category:1904 births]]
[[Category:1965 deaths]]
[[Category:Ardmore Snappers players]]
[[Category:Brooklyn Dodgers scouts]]
[[Category:Chicago Cubs coaches]]
[[Category:Fort Smith Twins players]]
[[Category:Greenville Hunters players]]
[[Category:Greenville Spinners players]]
[[Category:Henryetta Hens players]]
[[Category:Houston Buffaloes players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball outfielders]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball third basemen]]
[[Category:Miami Sun Sox players]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:National League stolen base champions]]
[[Category:People from Cotton County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Portsmouth Merrimacs players]]
[[Category:Rochester Red Wings managers]]
[[Category:Rochester Red Wings players]]
[[Category:Sacramento Solons managers]]
[[Category:Sacramento Solons players]]
[[Category:St. Louis Cardinals players]]
[[Category:San Diego Padres (minor league) players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Oklahoma City]]
[[Category:Syracuse Stars (minor league baseball) players]]
[[Category:Tulsa Oilers (baseball) players]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]