Jerry Martin – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jerry Martin played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1974 to 1984, but honestly, his story isn’t just about numbers or stats. Martin stepped away from professional baseball in 1984 after a rocky final year with the New York Mets, closing out a career marked by legal trouble and a sense of what might’ve been.

He grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, part of a baseball family. Martin followed in his father’s footsteps to the majors, though his path turned out to be a lot messier than anyone probably expected.

He bounced around five teams: the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Kansas City Royals, and New York Mets. Martin had some standout moments, especially with the Cubs—he hit 23 home runs in 1980, his best season. But the shadow of a cocaine possession conviction in 1983, which led to prison time and suspension, ended his playing days.

Martin’s journey gives us a glimpse into both the opportunities and the dangers of pro baseball in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. His experiences really highlight how tough it was for players to make their mark in the majors while dealing with personal demons that could throw everything off track.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Jerry Lindsey Martin was born on May 11, 1949, in Columbia, South Carolina. His family loved baseball.

He stood out at Olympia High School, then became a dual-sport star at Furman University.

Family Background and Influences

Jerry Martin grew up in a baseball household. His dad, Barney Martin, pitched one game for the Cincinnati Reds in 1953.

Jerry’s younger brother, Michael Martin, also made waves as a left-handed pitcher. The Philadelphia Phillies picked Michael fifth overall in the 1970 MLB draft.

The Martin family’s baseball legacy made things competitive at home. Having a dad who reached the majors meant Jerry got an inside look at pro baseball.

Even though baseball ran in the family, Jerry actually focused on basketball during high school. That multi-sport background probably helped his athleticism and coordination later on.

Olympia High School Achievements

At Olympia High School in Columbia, Jerry developed his athletic skills. The school set the stage for his future in sports.

He played both basketball and baseball and caught the eye of college recruiters. His time at Olympia helped him get ready for the challenges of playing sports in college.

Furman University and Dual-Sport Accomplishments

Martin headed to Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, and made a name for himself in basketball. Those college years really sharpened his competitive edge.

In 1971, he grabbed the All-Southern Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player award. He led the Furman Paladins to their first conference basketball championship.

His basketball success showed off his versatility. That drive and athleticism carried over into his baseball career.

Despite his basketball achievements, Martin decided to stick with baseball, following his family’s tradition. He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1971, just a year after his brother Michael joined the same team.

Choosing baseball over basketball changed Martin’s life. His time at Furman built up his skills and mental toughness for the pro leagues.

Path to the Major Leagues

Jerry Martin worked his way to the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies after signing as an amateur free agent. His brother Mike’s high draft pick status definitely helped open doors. In 1972, Martin earned MVP honors with the Spartanburg Phillies in the Western Carolinas League.

Signing as an Amateur Free Agent

Martin didn’t go through the usual draft process. Instead, he signed with the Phillies as a free agent.

His brother Mike’s reputation as a top pitching prospect helped Jerry get noticed. The Phillies picked Mike fifth overall in 1970.

Peter Golenbock’s book The Forever Boys even mentions that Jerry got his chance with the Phillies thanks to Mike’s draft buzz.

It worked out for both sides. The Phillies picked up another talented Martin, and Jerry got a shot at his baseball dream.

Funny enough, the family connection ended up meaning more for Jerry’s career than Mike’s. Mike’s arm injury cut his career short in the minors, but Jerry made it to the big leagues.

Minor League Highlights

Martin spent a few years working his way up in the Phillies’ farm system. His best season came in 1972 with the Spartanburg Phillies.

Key accomplishments:

• 1972 MVP Western Carolinas League (Spartanburg Phillies)
• Built a reputation as a promising outfielder
• Showed off a strong arm and solid defense

The MVP award really put Martin on the map in the Phillies organization. Scouts and coaches took notice of his defense and arm strength as he climbed the ranks.

Spartanburg Phillies and Western Carolinas League

The 1972 season with Spartanburg was the highlight of Martin’s minor league days. Winning MVP in the Western Carolinas League showed he was ready to move up.

Spartanburg was a key stop in the Phillies’ system, producing plenty of future major leaguers.

Martin’s success there proved he could handle tough competition. The league had several players who would make it to the majors.

His performance got the attention of Phillies execs. That MVP season justified their decision to bring him in as a free agent.

Martin’s strong year in Spartanburg brought him closer to the big leagues. He debuted with Philadelphia in September 1974.

Major League Baseball Journey

Martin’s MLB career lasted from 1974 to 1984, and he played for five different teams. His best years came in Chicago, after he struggled to get consistent playing time in Philadelphia.

His story included big moments and tough setbacks, like a cocaine suspension that changed everything.

Philadelphia Phillies Tenure

Martin started his MLB journey with the Phillies in 1974 after signing as a free agent. He followed his dad Barney, who pitched for the Reds, and his brother Michael, who the Phillies drafted fifth overall in 1970.

He earned his shot after a strong minor league run, including MVP honors in the Western Carolinas League in 1972. Martin made his MLB debut on September 7, 1974, coming in as a late-inning defensive replacement for Greg Luzinski.

Even with his potential, Martin never moved past being the fourth outfielder in Philadelphia. He spent most games as a defensive sub, playing in 130 games in 1976 but getting only 129 at-bats.

The 1976 National League Championship Series gave him rare postseason action. Martin reached first base on an error and scored on Jay Johnstone’s triple in the ninth inning of Game 3 against the Reds.

In February 1979, Philadelphia traded Martin, Barry Foote, Ted Sizemore, Derek Botelho, and Henry Mack to the Chicago Cubs for Greg Gross, Dave Rader, and Manny Trillo.

Chicago Cubs Breakout Seasons

The trade to Chicago changed everything for Martin. He finally got regular playing time as the Cubs’ starting center fielder, usually batting sixth.

In 1979, Martin broke out. He played 143 games, hit 19 home runs, drove in 73 runs, and scored 74 times. That year, he really proved he could deliver when given the chance.

He topped that in 1980, hitting a career-high 23 home runs. The steady playing time let him become a reliable bat for the Cubs.

Career Stats with Cubs:

• 1979: 19 HR, 73 RBI, 74 runs
• 1980: 23 HR (career high)

A contract dispute made Martin ask for a trade. At the 1980 Winter Meetings, the Cubs sent him to the San Francisco Giants along with Jesús Figueroa and a player to be named later, in exchange for Phil Nastu and Joe Strain.

San Francisco Giants and Trade Movements

Martin signed a five-year deal with San Francisco, but things didn’t go as planned. The 1981 season, shortened by a strike, saw his numbers drop.

He managed just four home runs and 25 RBIs, batting .241 in limited action. The disappointing year made people wonder if he’d lost his edge.

After only one season, the Giants traded Martin to the Kansas City Royals for pitchers Rich Gale and Bill Laskey. Yet another fresh start for Martin.

Kansas City Royals Impact Years

Kansas City moved Martin to right field, and he started strong in 1982. By May, he was batting .304 with five home runs and 25 RBIs.

He cooled off as the season went on, but still finished with a .266 average, 15 home runs, and 65 RBIs. Martin showed he could be a valuable role player.

The 1983 season looked promising at first, but a muscle tear in his right wrist ended his year on April 24. That injury changed the trajectory of his career.

During 1983, Martin and teammates Willie Aikens and Willie Wilson got caught up in a federal cocaine investigation. On November 17, 1983, all three received three-month prison sentences for misdemeanor attempted cocaine possession.

Martin left the Fort Worth federal correctional institution on February 23, 1984. Baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspended all four players (including Vida Blue) for the entire 1984 season, but later reduced the suspensions on appeal.

New York Mets and Retirement

Jerry Martin’s last MLB chapter came with the New York Mets in 1984. It was a final shot after his career got derailed by suspension.

Joining the Mets in 1984

The Mets picked up Martin as a free agent on March 17, 1984, while he was still suspended for cocaine use. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn had suspended Martin and four others for the whole 1984 season after the drug scandal.

Martin’s road to the Mets was tangled up with his legal problems. He got out of prison on February 23, 1984, but still couldn’t play.

Everything changed on May 15, 1984, when an arbitrator lifted the suspensions for Martin, Willie Aikens, and Willie Wilson after they met MLB’s conditions. That let Martin join the Mets for the rest of the season.

The Mets wasted no time activating Martin. They hoped he could bring something to the team, even after all the drama.

Final Season Performance

Martin’s time with the New York Mets in 1984 didn’t go as hoped. He struggled to find his old form after the suspension and all the legal mess.

He played in just a handful of games, and his stats showed that his skills had faded since his Cubs days.

Martin played his last MLB game on September 19, 1984. That wrapped up a career that started with so much promise in 1974 but got sidetracked by off-field issues.

The season was more than just a rough patch in the box score. By then, it was obvious—his days as a major leaguer were over. Martin couldn’t make an impact with the Mets, and that was it for his pro baseball career.

Release and Retirement Decision

The New York Mets let Jerry Martin go on September 30, 1984, just days after his last game. That move ended his time with the team and, really, his big league career too.

Honestly, nobody felt surprised. Martin had struggled all season, and the Mets had already tried giving him a shot to revive his career. He just couldn’t deliver what they needed.

After the release, Martin decided to hang up his cleats for good. At 35, he knew it was time. His skills had faded, and that suspension really threw off any momentum he had left.

Martin’s retirement closed out a 10-year run in the majors, with stints on six different teams. His career stats showed a player who never quite reached early expectations, but still managed to stick around for a decade in pro baseball.

Post-Playing Career and Legacy

After stepping away from Major League Baseball in 1984, Jerry Martin moved into coaching jobs in the minor leagues. He took on bench coach roles for a few organizations and worked with young players at the Triple-A level.

Minor League Coaching Roles

Martin started coaching in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2000, he worked as a bench coach for the Piedmont Boll Weevils. The next year, he joined the AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre team in the Phillies organization as a bench coach.

His coaching gave him a chance to share what he knew about hitting and playing the outfield. Having played 11 years in the majors, Martin brought plenty of insight to those minor leaguers.

A lot of former major leaguers from Martin’s era went into coaching after their playing days. For Martin, those jobs helped him stay connected to the game.

Detroit Tigers and Erie SeaWolves

There’s not much out there about Martin working with the Detroit Tigers or the Erie SeaWolves. The records show his main coaching gigs were with the Phillies’ Triple-A team and the independent Piedmont Boll Weevils.

It looks like Martin’s coaching career mostly stuck to those organizations in the early 2000s.

Reputation in Baseball

People in baseball remember Martin for both his play and his run-ins with the law. He was a solid backup outfielder who helped the Phillies win three straight division titles from 1976 to 1978. He had a knack for delivering clutch pinch-hit home runs, which made him a real asset on those playoff teams.

But then there was that 1983 cocaine conviction with Willie Wilson and Willie Aikens. That incident overshadowed a lot of what he did on the field. They were actually the first active big leaguers to get prison time for drug charges.

Martin wrapped up his career with a .251 average, 85 home runs, and 345 RBI over 1,018 games. Those numbers show he was a dependable role player, not a superstar.

Influence on Future Athletes

Martin’s story works as both inspiration and a warning for younger players. He went from Columbia, South Carolina, all the way to the majors, which says something about what’s possible in baseball. His dad, Barney, had pitched for the Reds, so baseball ran in the family.

But the legal troubles that ended Martin’s career turned into a cautionary tale about substance abuse in sports. His case played a part in MLB tightening its drug policies and starting player support programs.

Through his coaching, Martin got to guide young players in the minors. His journey, with all its ups and downs, gave him lessons to pass on to the next generation.

Personal Life, Controversies, and Notable Moments

Jerry Martin’s career took a hard turn after a major drug scandal in 1983. That led to prison time and a suspension from baseball. His legal issues with Willie Aikens and Willie Wilson marked a historic moment, since they were the first active players to face that kind of punishment.

Family Connections Within Baseball

Throughout his career, Jerry Lindsey Martin kept his personal life pretty private. Born on May 11, 1949, in Columbia, South Carolina, he rarely spoke about his family in public.

Unlike some other baseball families, Martin’s connections in the sport came mostly from teammates, not relatives. He built his closest relationships during his time with teams like the Kansas City Royals.

Since retiring in 1984, Martin has mostly stayed out of the spotlight. He turned down almost every interview and skipped out on national talk shows, even if they could’ve paid well.

Legal Issues and MLB Suspension

On November 17, 1983, Martin and Kansas City Royals teammates Willie Aikens and Willie Wilson each got three months in jail for misdemeanor attempted cocaine possession. They became the first active major leaguers to actually serve time for drug offenses.

That scandal really hurt Martin’s reputation and chances in baseball. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspended all three players after the convictions.

Martin later called that stretch “pure hell” and said it was the one big mistake of his career. An arbitrator lifted the suspension on May 15, 1984, after the players met all of MLB’s conditions.

Martin joined the New York Mets for the rest of the 1984 season. He couldn’t recapture his old form and decided to retire once the season wrapped up.

Relationship with Commissioner Bowie Kuhn

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn really cracked down on Martin and his teammates after their drug convictions. He handed out the suspension himself, trying to show that MLB wanted to get serious about the league’s growing drug issues.

Back then, the league wanted everyone to know it wouldn’t tolerate drug-related offenses. Kuhn’s move to suspend Martin, Aikens, and Wilson was a pretty loud warning to other players—don’t get involved with drugs.

Martin’s case actually set the tone for how MLB would deal with these situations later on. That whole suspension and reinstatement process shaped the league’s approach to drug policy for the rest of Kuhn’s time as commissioner.