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

Boris “Babe” Martin wrapped up his professional baseball career in 1953 after playing parts of six seasons in Major League Baseball. He grew up in Seattle, Washington, born in 1920, and played as a catcher and outfielder for the St. Louis Browns and Boston Red Sox during the 1940s and early 1950s.

Martin played in the majors from 1944 to 1953, putting together a .214 batting average with 2 home runs and 18 RBIs over 69 games. His stats might look modest, but his baseball journey really highlights the challenges players faced during World War II and right after.

From his early days as Boris Michael Martinovich, the son of Serbian immigrants, to his last season with the Browns before they moved to Baltimore, Martin’s story feels familiar to anyone who chased a baseball dream despite limited chances. He crossed paths with some wild moments in baseball history, like sharing the field with the one-armed outfielder Pete Gray and being part of the Browns’ 1944 pennant-winning squad.

Early Life and Background

Boris Michael Martin was born in Seattle, Washington on March 28, 1920, to Serbian immigrant parents who had left the former Yugoslavia. His family’s move from the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest really shaped his early years and athletic growth.

Seattle Roots and Serbian Heritage

Boris Michael Martin came into the world as Boris Michael Martinovich in Seattle. His parents, Mitar and Vidosava Martinovich, had emigrated from different regions of what was then Yugoslavia.

His father grew up in Montenegro, while his mother was born in Serbia. They settled in Seattle’s immigrant community.

Babe‘s dad was a professional wrestler known as Iron Mike Martin, changing his name depending on the crowd. When wrestling in Italian neighborhoods, he used Martini. In Scottish or Irish areas, he went by McMartin or O’Martin.

“Dad could speak a number of European languages, being born over there,” Babe once said. His father’s wrestling days ended after he married Babe’s mother.

The family had five kids altogether. Babe grew up with two brothers, Robert and Bryan, and two sisters, Lola and Olga.

Family and Personal Life

When Boris was just a year old, his mother moved the family to Zeigler, Illinois after a falling out with an in-law. His father found work in the coal mines, which was the main industry in southern Illinois back then.

Things took a tragic turn when Boris was three. A mine shaft collapsed on his father, who survived the accident but passed away about three years later. “Back in 1926, they didn’t know how or what a person died from,” Martin remembered.

After his father died, the family moved again, this time to St. Louis, Missouri. His mother always encouraged his athletic interests from a young age.

As the youngest, Boris got called “Baby” by his family. That nickname eventually became “Babe” as he grew older and got embarrassed by the original one.

McKinley High School Athletic Career

Babe attended McKinley High School in St. Louis between 1936 and 1938. Lou Maguolo, his high school coach, also scouted for the St. Louis Browns.

Martin played several sports in high school. He earned all-district honors in basketball and spent three seasons on the school’s football team. Still, baseball was always his main thing.

His talent showed up early. “They took me out of grammar school, seventh grade, to play on the ninth-grade high school team,” Martin said. He played baseball wherever he could find a spot.

“I played on sandlots, glass, and gravel fields, under bridges, wherever I could go ahead and play on,” he said. “In the summertime, I’d be gone early in the morning and come home at dusk.”

Martin actually signed with the Browns in 1938 while still in high school, but nobody announced it until he graduated in 1940. The team paid him $100 a month to work in their office and practice with both the Browns and Cardinals.

Path to Professional Baseball

Babe Martin started his pro baseball career in 1940 at age 20, working his way up the minor league system as an infielder and catcher. He put in the work and saw it pay off with a breakthrough 1944 season with the Toledo Mud Hens, which landed him his first major league shot.

Minor League Beginnings

Martin jumped into professional baseball in 1940 after graduating from McKinley High in St. Louis. Born Boris Michael Martinovich in Seattle, he had moved with his family to Illinois and then Missouri after losing his father.

He spent his early pro years learning the basics in the lower minors. During that time, he tried out multiple positions, showing off a versatility that helped him throughout his career.

His early minor league days gave him key training in both hitting and fielding. Martin worked on his batting stance and developed the defensive skills he needed for both infield and catching.

Development as an Infielder and Catcher

Martin’s knack for playing different positions really stood out in the minors. He spent a lot of time learning the details of playing first base and catcher, both of which came with their own challenges.

As a first baseman, Martin focused on footwork and developed quick reflexes to handle throws from the other infielders. His 5’11½” frame and 194-pound build fit the position well.

Learning to catch proved just as important for his career. He had to master pitch calling, prevent stolen bases, and get the hang of receiving and framing pitches.

Martin’s ability to switch between positions made him a real asset to minor league teams. Managers relied on him to fill gaps and provide depth at several spots.

Breakthrough with Toledo Mud Hens

Martin’s big moment came in 1944 with the Toledo Mud Hens. He had a breakout year there, which led directly to his major league debut with the St. Louis Browns.

The Toledo Mud Hens played a key role in getting Martin to the majors. His strong performance caught the eye of Browns scouts and management.

That year in Toledo showed he had the skills to compete at higher levels. The experience gave him confidence and proved he could handle the pressure of pro ball.

Martin’s breakthrough happened during World War II, when many players served in the military. That opened doors for guys like Martin to move up faster in the minors.

Major League Baseball Career

Boris Michael Martin played parts of six seasons in the majors between 1944 and 1953. He batted and threw right-handed, appeared in 69 games, and finished with a .214 batting average, 2 home runs, and 18 RBIs for two American League teams.

St. Louis Browns Tenure

Martin debuted in the majors on September 25, 1944, with the St. Louis Browns. He played just 2 games as a rookie that year.

His busiest season came in 1945, when he played 54 games and had 185 at-bats. Martin hit .200 that year, struggling at the plate during what could’ve been a breakout season.

The Browns kept Martin through 1946 before letting him go. His performance bounced around, causing him to move between the majors and minors pretty often.

Martin returned to the Browns in 1953 for his last major league season. He played his final MLB game on July 1, 1953, ending his career with the team where it all began.

Boston Red Sox Transition

After leaving the St. Louis Browns organization, Martin joined the Boston Red Sox in 1948. This move gave him a fresh start in a different American League city.

He spent two seasons with Boston, from 1948 to 1949. While there, Martin mainly played as a catcher, learning to handle a new primary position.

His time with the Red Sox didn’t really boost his offensive stats. Martin kept struggling to find consistency at the plate, so he built a reputation as more of a defensive player.

Boston let Martin go after the 1949 season. He ended up back with the Browns for one last run in the majors.

Positions Played: Outfield, First Base, Catcher

Martin showed his flexibility by playing several positions in the majors. He played as an outfielder, first baseman, and catcher, depending on what the team needed.

With the St. Louis Browns, he mostly played outfield, especially left field. His defensive skills in the outfield were solid for the big leagues.

While with the Red Sox, he switched to catcher as his main spot. That meant learning new defensive moves and working closely with pitchers.

Martin also played first base here and there. His ability to fill in at different positions made him valuable as a utility guy, even if his bat wasn’t a big threat.

Career Highlights and Stats

Babe Martin played six seasons in the majors, from 1944 to 1953, appearing in 69 games with a .214 batting average, 44 hits, and 2 home runs. His best season was 1945, when he played 54 games for the St. Louis Browns.

Seasonal Performance

Martin started his career in 1944 with the Browns, getting into just 2 games. He managed 3 hits in 4 at-bats for a wild .750 batting average.

His breakout year was 1945, when he played 54 games. That was the only season he got into double-digit games. He batted .200 with 37 hits and 2 home runs that year.

After a short 3-game stint in 1946 with the Browns, Martin moved to the Boston Red Sox. He played 4 games in 1948 and 2 in 1949.

Martin came back to the Browns for his last season in 1953. He appeared in 4 games before hanging up his spikes at 33.

Batting and Fielding Statistics

Martin ended up with a .214 career batting average over 69 games. He collected 44 hits, 2 home runs, and 18 RBIs in 206 at-bats.

His best showing at the plate came in his 1944 debut. In just a couple games, he put up a 1.750 OPS with a .750 average.

Career Batting Summary:

• Games: 69
• At-bats: 206
• Hits: 44
• Home runs: 2
• RBIs: 18
• Runs scored: 13

Martin played a lot of positions. He mostly worked as an outfielder for the Browns, covering left and right field. Later, he switched to catcher with the Red Sox.

His fielding numbers show he could handle different spots. As an outfielder in 1945, he made 116 putouts and 7 assists with a .992 fielding percentage.

Notable Runs, Hits, and Home Runs

Martin’s most memorable moments with the bat came during his 1944 debut. Even though he played just 2 games, he picked up 3 hits in 4 at-bats.

He didn’t hit a ton of home runs. Both of his career homers came in 1945 with the Browns.

In 1945, Martin scored 13 runs over 54 games, which was his best single-season total.

He had 37 hits in 1945, his career high. That season also included his only doubles and triples, with 5 two-baggers and 2 triples.

Comparisons and Noteworthy Games

Martin debuted on September 25, 1944, against the Boston Red Sox. He picked up 2 hits in 3 at-bats with 1 RBI in his first game.

His last game came on July 1, 1953, against the Chicago White Sox. He didn’t get an at-bat in that final appearance.

According to Baseball-Reference, Martin finished with a career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of -0.8. His best single-season WAR was 0.2 in 1944.

If you stretch out his numbers to a 162-game season, Martin would have averaged 103 hits, 5 home runs, and 42 RBIs.

He played during the tail end of World War II and into the early 1950s, sharing the field with some pretty notable teammates along the way.

Significant Events and Relationships

Babe Martin’s career lined up with big moments in baseball history, like the 1944 St. Louis Browns’ championship run and the unusual challenges of wartime baseball. He built relationships with teammates such as Pete Gray and Mike Kreevich, which shaped his experience during this changing era.

1944 St. Louis Browns and the World Series

Martin joined the St. Louis Browns at the end of their wild 1944 season, which was actually their only pennant-winning year. He made his major league debut on September 25, 1944, against the Boston Red Sox, and honestly, he impressed everyone.

In his first game, Martin went two-for-three at the plate. Next time up, he came in as a pinch hitter and singled, so he ended up with a .750 batting average in just four at-bats.

Martin earned a spot on the World Series roster. He sat on the bench in uniform for the entire 1944 World Series between the Browns and Cardinals.

“It was really a great feeling. It was my dream,” Martin remembered about watching the Series. The rookie had to keep quiet during games if he wanted to keep his seat on the bench.

This World Series appearance was the high point of Martin’s early career. The Browns beat the Cardinals in six games, so Martin got to be a small part of baseball history.

Teammates: Pete Gray and Mike Kreevich

The 1945 season brought some tension. The Browns signed Pete Gray, a one-armed outfielder who drew big crowds. That move changed Martin’s playing time and probably his whole career path.

Martin didn’t hold back about how the team felt. “There wasn’t one ballplayer on the ball club that was happy about Pete being there and playing,” he admitted later.

Gray’s presence took away Martin’s regular playing time. The one-armed player grabbed spots from Martin, Mike Kreevich, and Milt Byrnes in the outfield rotation.

Key Impact on Martin’s 1945 Season:

• Played just 54 games, all in the outfield
• Only got 185 at-bats that year
• Batting average dipped to .200

Martin believed Gray’s defensive issues hurt the team’s chance at the pennant. “It was automatic first-to-third for a runner,” he said, pointing out Gray couldn’t throw out baserunners.

Impact of War on Baseball Career

World War II really shaped Martin’s baseball journey, both through military service and everything that followed. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 1942 while playing for Springfield in the Three-I League.

Martin got stationed at Lambert Naval Air Station in St. Louis. A chief petty officer noticed he played ball and brought him onto the base team.

His service brought some tough injuries that changed his career. Martin tore his left thigh quadricep during a game against Great Lakes Naval Station in 1943.

He needed four months of treatment at Great Lakes Naval Hospital. Then, duodenal ulcers showed up during his service and stuck with him for the rest of his playing days.

Long-term Physical Effects:

• Right thigh ended up three inches smaller in circumference than his left
• Had to wear a leg brace for most of his career after that
• Kept a quart of milk in the dugout to help with ulcers

Martin left the Navy in April 1944 because of his injuries and health problems. Despite all that, he got back to pro baseball and had his best minor league season with Toledo, even winning American Association MVP.

Later Career, Retirement, and Legacy

After his short major league run with the Boston Red Sox wrapped up in 1949, Babe Martin headed back to the minors. He spent several productive seasons there before officially retiring from pro baseball in 1953. He stayed tied to St. Louis, where he’d built his early career with the Browns.

Minor League Years After MLB

Martin’s last pro seasons happened in the Texas League with San Antonio. He actually found a career resurgence there, especially in 1952 when he hit .329.

In 1951, Martin played all over the field for San Antonio—first base, catcher, you name it. He batted .261 that year. His ability to fill in anywhere helped the team and kept him in the lineup.

Martin’s best minor league year came in 1952. That .329 average showed he could still hit, even in his early thirties. It was a great way to wrap up a professional career that lasted over a decade.

The Texas League finally gave Martin the steady playing time he missed in the majors. His experience and leadership rubbed off on the younger guys in the clubhouse.

Retirement in 1953 and Life After Baseball

Martin retired from pro baseball in 1953. His last big league game came that year with the St. Louis Browns, closing out a journey that started back in 1944.

After he hung up his uniform, Martin stayed put in the St. Louis area. His family moved there when he was a kid, and the city always felt like home.

“Back in the ’30s, I guess ’37, ’38, ’39, we didn’t have any money. So $100 a month, bringing that home for my mother,” Martin once said, thinking back on what kept him going early on. That family connection meant a lot during his post-baseball years.

Martin lived a quiet life after baseball, mostly out of the spotlight. He passed away on August 1, 2013, at 93, having seen the game he loved change in ways he probably never expected.

Recognition and Community Contributions

Martin stood out as one of the last surviving members of the 1944 St. Louis Browns pennant-winning team. He really held a unique spot in baseball history, since the Browns’ only pennant win put him in a pretty rare group of players.

Later on, his birthday celebrations caught the eye of baseball historians and fans alike. In 2007, people recognized him as one of just three veterans still around from that remarkable 1944 Browns squad.

Martin’s story captures what so many professional ballplayers from the 1940s went through. He played during the World War II years and right after, so his career shows a lot about the challenges players faced in that shifting era of baseball.