Johnny Leonard Roosevelt Martin (1904-1965)

Johnny Leonard Roosevelt "Pepper" Martin

Born 29 Feb 1904 in Temple, Cotton, Oklahoma, United States

Ancestors

Son of George Washington Martin and Celia Ann (Matney) Martin

Brother of Cora Irene (Martin) Gardner, Letha Iona (Martin) Wyatt, George Thaddeaus Martin and Charles Bryan Martin

Husband of Ruby Alyne (Pope) Martin — married 9 Nov 1927 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

[children unknown]

Died 5 Mar 1965 at age 61 in McAlester, Pittsburg, Oklahoma, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Scott Lee

[send private message]

Profile last modified 3 May 2024 | Created 29 Feb 2020

This page has been accessed 594 times.

Biography

Johnny Martin is Notable.

Family

Pepper was born in Temple, Oklahoma on February 29, 1904. When he was six years old his parents relocated to Oklahoma City, where he grew up and subsequently became known as Pepper Martin.^[1]

Pepper's parents were George Washington Martin and Celia Ann Matney Martin. Pepper had six siblings.^[1]

When Pepper turned 23 years old, he married Ruby Alyne Pope. They were pronounced man and wife in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on November 9, 1927.^[2]

Pepper and Ruby had three daughters.^[3]

Alyne Mary Martin, born May 6, 1929, in Houston, Harris, Texas.^[4]
Virginia Lee Martin. (still living)
Alice J. Martin. (still living)

Baseball Career

Pepper was "a chunky, unshaven hobo who ran the bases like a berserk locomotive, slept in the raw, and swore at pitchers in his sleep." (as described by Lee Allen, American Sportswriter.)^[5]

In his early teens, Pepper played ball for a local church team in Oklahoma City. He also played on company teams like the Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company. Initially, Pepper was a pitcher when he was first signed with the Cardinals farm team, The Greenville Hunters.^[1]

Pepper played both third base and outfielder. He was part of the Saint Louis Cardinals Gas House Gang in 1934. Pepper stood out in several areas of the sport, however he really got his chance with the St. Louis Cardinals because of his running and hitting abilities. His glove was "sub-standard".^[6]

In 1931, the Saint Louis Cardinals won the World Series. Pepper Martin gained his fame in baseball during this series. Leading the team to victory, Pepper had 12 hits at bat with four doubles, a home run, scored five runs and five RBIs, and stoled 5 bases. It was a one-man show according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.^[7]

Because of his "daring and aggressive base running abilities", Pepper earned the name of the Wild Horse of the Osage."^[8]

Pepper Martin - 1955.

Pepper played 13 years in the Majors for the St. Louis Cardinals. 1928 - 1940 excluding 1929, 1941-43. Pepper played from the age of 24, when he entered the Majors, to the age of 40 when he played his last season in 1944.^[9]

After Pepper's career with the St. Louis Cardinals, he became a successful minor league baseball manager.^[8]

Pepper Martin comes in at number 25 in The Oklahoman's 50 greatest baseball players from Oklahoma.^[5]

Career Timeline

1928 Made the Cardinals Roster^[1]
1931 National Leauge Champion
1931 World Series Champion
1931 Male Athlete of the Year
1933 Inaugural Major League All-Star Game
1934 World Series Champion
1935 Starter in All Star Game
1936 Led the National League Stolen Bases
1939 St. Louis Cardinals Team Captain (replacing Leo Durocher)
1940 Named Player-Manager of the Sacramento Solons of the Pacific Coast League.
1942 Won the Pacific Coast League Championships
1943 Manager (and player) of the Rochester Red Wings
1944 National League Pennant for St. Louis Cardinals
1945-6 San Diego Padres Manager/Player
1947 Greenville Spinners Manager/Player
1949 Miami Sun Sox Manager
1952 Miami Beach Flamingos
1953 Fort Lauderdale Lions Manager - Won League Title
1954 Portsmouth Merrimacs Manager
1955 Chicago Cubs Coach - Last Place in League
Tulsa Oilers - Player-coach
1959 Miami Marlins Manager
1992 Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame
2017 St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame

Stats for Pepper Martin

Baseball-Reference for Pepper Martin

During the off-season, Pepper indulged in hunting and fishing, playing in local basketball and football events. According to Wikipedia, Pepper was the vice-president and general manager of the Oklahoma Ice Hockey team.^[8]

Hobbies

Hunting
Fishing
Midget Car Racing^[8]

Playing the guitar

After retiring from a very successful career in baseball, Pepper was the athletic director at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary.^[8]

Death and Burial

At the age of 61, Pepper passed away from a heart attack on March 5, 1965, in McAlester, Pittsburg County, Oklahoma. He is buried at the Quinton Cemetery in Beaver Township, Haskell County, Oklahoma.^[10]^[8]^[7]