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

Right-handed pitcher Renie Martin made his mark during a solid six-year career in Major League Baseball. He played for the Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, and Philadelphia Phillies from 1979 to 1984.

Born Donald Renie Martin on August 30, 1955, in Dover, Delaware, he grew from a promising high school athlete into a reliable big league pitcher. He faced plenty of ups and downs along the way.

Martin’s most memorable season came in 1980. He helped the Kansas City Royals reach their first World Series, going 10-10 as both a starter and reliever. He played a key role in the team’s American League pennant victory. His journey from a ninth-round draft pick out of the University of Richmond to the World Series stage really shows the kind of grit and determination that defined so many players of his era.

Let’s take a closer look at Martin’s career, from his early days as a Delaware high school standout to his college years and rise through the minor leagues. He found his footing in the majors, making his final appearance on September 30, 1984. Martin’s story gives us a glimpse into the life of a pitcher who managed to leave his mark during one of baseball’s most competitive decades.

Early Life and Education

Donald Renie Martin was born on August 30, 1955, in Dover, Delaware, to Paul and Marjorie Martin. He honed his athletic skills at Dover High School, excelling in both baseball and basketball before landing a scholarship to the University of Richmond.

Family Background

Donald Renie Martin grew up in a middle-class family in Dover, Delaware. His dad, Paul, worked as an engineer for the Delaware State Highway Department and often got called in during snowstorms.

His mom, Marjorie, started as a secretary and later took a job as a U.S. embassy correspondent, with assignments in Taipei, Taiwan, and Yemen.

Renie was the third of four sons. He had two older twin brothers, Lewis and John Edward, and both played baseball too. Lewis pitched like Renie, while John Edward caught behind the plate.

The youngest brother, Timothy, joined the family when the others were already teenagers.

The Martin boys first played organized baseball together in the Dover Little League. Growing up with brothers who shared his love for the game really helped shape Renie’s early development as a player.

High School Achievements

Martin attended Dover High School and quickly became a standout in both baseball and basketball. In his sophomore year, 1971, he emerged as a reliable pitcher, even though he was third on the depth chart.

When the top two pitchers got sick before the Henlopen Conference title game, Martin stepped up and threw a dominant 12-strikeout, two-hit victory.

That same season, he entered the conference championship game with a perfect 0.00 ERA over 20 innings. Earlier, he had tossed a no-hitter against Seaford High School.

Martin’s athletic talents went beyond baseball. During his junior year, he helped Dover’s basketball team reach the state championship game. In a tough 57-56 loss to Wilmington, Martin scored the tying basket with just 37 seconds left.

As a senior in 1973, he earned first-team All-Henlopen Conference recognition in basketball. Local media called him “Renie the Genie” for his knack for showing up when it mattered most.

Standing 6-foot-5, he played center and led Dover to five straight wins during one stretch.

On the baseball field, Martin became Dover’s pitching ace in his senior season. He pitched all nine innings in a 2-1 semifinal victory under brutal 95-degree heat, sending the Senators to another state championship game.

Though Dover lost the title game later that day, Martin received two standing ovations at the awards ceremony and earned first-team All-State honors.

University of Richmond Career

Martin accepted a baseball scholarship to the University of Richmond in Virginia, starting in the fall of 1973. He chose college over signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who had shown interest in him straight out of high school.

During his freshman year at Richmond, Martin went 7-3 on the mound. That summer, he posted a perfect 9-0 record playing for Dover’s 16-18 age group team.

His sophomore season didn’t go as well. He struggled to a 3-6 record with a 5.44 ERA, and his summer with Delaware’s semipro Parkway club wasn’t much better.

As a junior in 1976, Martin bounced back and earned All-Southern Conference recognition. Richmond coach Chuck Boone, a former minor-league catcher, had high praise for Martin: “His fastball is unbelievable. He’s got one that sinks and one that sails.”

The San Francisco Giants picked Martin in the ninth round of the 1976 amateur draft, offering just over $7,000. He decided to return to Richmond to finish his finance degree instead.

That choice paid off academically, but his draft stock dipped. In 1977, the Kansas City Royals took him in the 19th round. Even though he got less money than the Giants had offered, Martin signed with Kansas City and began his pro career.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Renie Martin’s professional baseball career ran from 1977 to 1984, and he played as a right-handed pitcher for three major league teams. The Kansas City Royals drafted him in 1977, and he made his debut in 1979. He later pitched for the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies before retiring in 1984.

Draft and Minor Leagues

The San Francisco Giants picked Martin in the ninth round of the 1976 amateur draft after his junior year at Richmond. He turned down their offer and went back to school to finish his finance degree.

Martin got drafted again in 1977, this time by the Kansas City Royals in the 19th round. He signed for less money than the Giants had offered, but he didn’t regret it.

He started his pro career with the Royals’ Gulf Coast League team in Sarasota, Florida. After winning three of four starts, including two complete games and a shutout, Martin moved up to the Class A Florida State League.

Minor League Progression:

• 1977: Gulf Coast League (3-1 record), then Daytona Beach Islanders (2.70 ERA, 4 saves)
• 1978: Fort Myers (2.05 ERA, 7 saves), then Omaha Royals Triple-A (3.32 ERA)
• 1979: Jacksonville Suns Double-A (3-1, 1.00 ERA, 3 saves in 8 games)

Martin shifted from starting pitcher to reliever during his minor league days. That switch caught him off guard, since he hadn’t really thought about relief pitching before.

Major League Debut

Martin made his major league debut on May 9, 1979, against the Texas Rangers after a call-up from Jacksonville. Manager Whitey Herzog put him in right away, telling him, “Get this man out.”

He got Billy Sample to fly out and end the eighth inning, then worked the ninth to earn a save in his very first big league appearance. Martin pitched five times in his first week, racking up three saves.

His rookie season had its share of bumps. After his ERA shot up to 9.82 in 13 appearances, the Royals sent him back to Omaha in mid-June. They brought him back on August 28, and he held hitters to a .152 average over 20 innings.

Herzog liked Martin’s potential, saying, “I like Renie Martin. He’s going to be a good pitcher.” The Royals finished second that year, and Herzog got fired afterward.

Transition Between Teams

Martin’s best season came in 1980 with the Kansas City Royals. He switched from reliever to starter and became an early-season hero for the team’s first American League pennant-winning squad.

He won six of his first seven starts, helping Kansas City climb from fourth place to the top of the AL West. Manager Jim Frey praised his curveball, calling it “one of the best in the American League.”

Martin played for three teams during his major league career:

Team Timeline:

• Kansas City Royals (1979-1982): Main years, including the 1980 AL pennant team
• San Francisco Giants (1983): Short stint with the team that first drafted him
• Philadelphia Phillies (1984): Final major league season

He finished with a career record of 24 wins and 35 losses in 174 games across six seasons. Martin’s ability to pitch as both a starter and reliever made him a valuable asset to every team he joined.

Kansas City Royals Tenure

Martin spent his most important years in the majors with Kansas City from 1979 to 1981. He grew from a struggling reliever into a key starter who helped the Royals win their first American League pennant in 1980.

His partnership with closer Dan Quisenberry became a big part of the team’s pitching strategy during their championship run.

Establishing Himself as a Starter

Martin made his MLB debut on May 9, 1979, at age 23 in Arlington, Texas. Manager Whitey Herzog tossed him into a pressure spot right away, bringing him in with runners on base in the eighth. Martin got the batter out and earned a save in his first appearance.

His rookie year wasn’t easy. He allowed just three earned runs in his first seven outings, but then his ERA jumped to 9.82 over the next six. The Royals sent him down to Triple-A Omaha in mid-June.

The 1980 season saw Martin change from reliever to starter. After a rough spring training, he pitched in just five of the team’s first 25 games. Manager Jim Frey decided to use him as a starter against Boston on May 10.

Key 1980 Starting Performances:

• May 10 vs. Boston: Won 13-8, pitched 5⅓ innings
• May 13 vs. New York: No-hitter through 5 innings, won 4-0
• May 18 vs. California: 7 innings pitched in a win

Martin won six of his first seven starts, helping Kansas City move from fourth to first in the AL West. His 10 wins that season established him as a reliable starter.

Role in 1980 World Series

The Kansas City Royals reached their first World Series in 1980. Martin played a big role in their success throughout the regular season, contributing as both a starter and reliever.

His strong season earned him Delaware’s “Athlete of the Year” honor in 1980. The Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association gave Martin the John J. Brady Award for his work with the American League champion Royals.

Martin’s flexibility as a pitcher paid off during the playoff run. He proved he could handle both starting and relief duties well. The Royals faced the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series but lost in six games.

Collaboration with Dan Quisenberry

Martin pitched for Kansas City at the same time Dan Quisenberry emerged as one of baseball’s top closers. The two formed an effective combo in the Royals’ bullpen and rotation.

Quisenberry led the American League in saves in 1980, the first of five times he’d do that. The 1980 Topps “Royals Future Stars” card featured both Martin and Quisenberry, along with Bill Paschall, showing how important they were to the team’s future.

Manager Jim Frey praised both young pitchers. “Kids like Renie Martin and Dan Quisenberry were up last year and looked good,” Frey said. “All they lack is experience.”

Martin and Quisenberry’s partnership showed Kansas City’s focus on building young pitching talent. Quisenberry specialized in closing games, while Martin gave the team flexibility as a starter and middle reliever.

Their teamwork helped the Royals keep their pitching strong during Martin’s three years with the team. Both played a part in the franchise’s first World Series trip and set the stage for Kansas City’s pitching success in the early 1980s.

San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies Years

Martin’s tenure with the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies wrapped up his major league career. A significant trade in August 1984 sent him from San Francisco to Philadelphia, along with veteran first baseman Al Oliver, in exchange for pitcher George Riley and minor league prospect Kelly Downs.

Trades and Notable Transactions

Martin’s most significant late-career transaction happened on August 20, 1984. The San Francisco Giants traded him and veteran first baseman Al Oliver to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Giants picked up pitcher George Riley and minor league prospect Kelly Downs in return. That move paid off for the Giants over time, since Downs eventually became a valuable pitcher in their rotation.

The Giants mainly wanted Oliver, who they’d gotten from Montreal earlier in February 1984. They included Martin to complete the deal.

Time with San Francisco Giants

Martin joined the Giants organization after coming over from the Kansas City Royals. In his first year with San Francisco, he mostly worked as a starting pitcher.

He posted a 7-10 record with a 4.65 ERA, but his performance as a starter was pretty inconsistent. The Giants realized Martin’s skills might fit better in the bullpen.

They shifted him to relief the next season. Martin spent most of the following two years pitching out of the bullpen before the August 1984 trade.

This move back to relief work felt like a return to his old role with Kansas City. Still, he wasn’t as effective as he’d been during his best years with the Royals.

Stint with Philadelphia Phillies

Martin’s time with the Philadelphia Phillies was short—just from late August through the end of the 1984 season. That was the last chapter of his major league career.

The Phillies mostly wanted Al Oliver in the deal. Oliver did well for them, batting .312 with a .360 on-base percentage in 28 games.

Martin didn’t pitch much for the Phillies during that brief stint. The trade to Philadelphia ended his major league playing days.

He wrapped up his professional baseball career after the 1984 season. That closed out a run of six big league seasons from 1979 to 1984.

Post-MLB Playing Career and Retirement

After leaving the majors in 1984, Renie Martin kept playing baseball in the minor leagues and later joined the Florida Tropics in the Senior Professional Baseball Association. When he finally retired from professional baseball, Martin moved into a business career.

Minor League and Triple-A Seasons

Martin kept his baseball journey going even after his last MLB game in 1984. He played in the minor league system, hoping for another shot at the majors.

During these years, he pitched mainly for Triple-A affiliates. He stuck to his role as a relief pitcher, drawing from his experience with Kansas City, San Francisco, and Philadelphia.

The shift from the majors back to the minors wasn’t easy. Martin faced younger players and the physical grind of the game as he got older.

His stats from this time showed a veteran pitcher trying to keep his career alive. He also shared his knowledge with younger teammates, even as his own performance slipped.

Florida Tropics and the Senior Professional Baseball Association

Martin got another chance at pro ball when he joined the Florida Tropics of the Senior Professional Baseball Association (SPBA). The SPBA, which started in 1989, gave former major and minor league players aged 35 and up a place to play.

The league ran during the winter months in Florida. That way, guys could compete without messing up their other work.

Martin’s stint in the SPBA became his last run as a pro player. The league drew plenty of former major leaguers who still wanted to play at a high level.

The Florida Tropics and other SPBA teams attracted ex-MLB players hoping to squeeze out a little more time on the field. Martin’s time there showed just how much he loved competitive baseball, even in his thirties.

Life After Professional Baseball

Once he finished with pro baseball, Martin switched gears and started a business career. He found his groove in sales and became one of his company’s top performers.

Martin hit his company’s President’s Club several times. That kind of success really reflected the dedication and drive he’d shown as a ballplayer.

He credited his mentor, Bruce Akers, for much of his success after baseball. That guidance made a big difference as he moved from sports into business.

Martin planned to retire to Delaware in 2014. He wanted to return to his home state and the city of Dover, where he was born.

Legacy and Impact

Renie Martin made his mark on baseball through his athletic achievements, community involvement, and influence on players who came after him. The Dover, Delaware native earned plenty of recognition while playing and found ways to keep contributing to baseball after he retired.

Athletic Recognition and Honors

Martin picked up the John J. Brady Award as Delaware’s “Athlete of the Year” in 1980. The Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association gave him that honor after his standout season with the Kansas City Royals.

He notched 10 wins in 1980 and helped the Royals reach the American League championship. Martin even pitched in the World Series that year, getting into three relief games against the Phillies.

The University of Richmond celebrated his college baseball success. He earned All-Southern Conference honors as a junior in 1976. His coach liked his fastball, saying he had “one that sinks and one that sails.”

Martin’s high school career at Dover High stood out too. He made first-team All-State in baseball as a senior in 1973. Folks called him “Renie the Genie” for his clutch basketball play.

Contribution to Baseball Community

After he left professional baseball in 1984, Martin stayed involved with the sport. He joined the Ferguson Waterworks softball team in 1995 and worked as both a pitcher and a coach.

Martin became one of the team’s most successful coaches and players. He helped younger players develop and kept competing himself.

The Senior Professional Baseball Association offered Martin another shot at pro ball. He joined the Florida Tropics in 1990 and posted a 1-2 record with a 4.44 ERA.

His time with Ferguson Waterworks went beyond coaching. Martin became one of the company’s top salesmen and made the President’s Club a few times. That really showed how his leadership from baseball carried over to business.

Influence on Future Players

Martin grew up in Delaware, and his path to the major leagues really inspired young players back home. He proved that even kids from smaller markets could break into professional baseball if they had the drive.

At the University of Richmond, he balanced baseball with his studies. Martin actually earned his finance degree before going pro, which says something about his priorities.

You might remember the 1980 Topps “Royals Future Stars” card. It showed Martin next to Dan Quisenberry and Bill Paschall, and honestly, that kind of recognition hinted at his potential in the game.

Throughout his career, Martin moved between starting and relief pitching. He chose to adapt his role, and that flexibility kept him in the majors for six seasons.