Billy Martin, baseball player, 1950-1961

Billy Martin

Born: 5/16/1928 in Berkeley, CA, USA

Died: 12/25/1989 in Johnson City, NY, USA

MLB Debut: 1950-04-18 | Final Game: 1961-10-01

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 165 lbs

Full name: Alfred Manuel Martin

Biography

Billy Martin, born in 1928, was a notable position player in Major League Baseball, whose career spanned from 1950 to 1961. Known for his fiery personality and competitive spirit, Martin played in 1,021 games, amassing 877 hits, 64 home runs, and 333 RBIs, while maintaining a batting average of .257. His performance on the field was characterized by a combination of aggressive base running and a keen eye for hitting, reflected in his 34 stolen bases throughout his career. Martin's contributions did not go unnoticed, as he earned an All-Star selection during his time in the league. Emerging during the post-World War II era when baseball was transitioning into a new phase of popularity, Martin's style of play and intense demeanor resonated with fans and teammates alike. He was part of a generation of players that helped shape the modern game, balancing power and speed while playing in an era that was beginning to see a shift towards more dynamic offensive strategies. After retiring from playing, Martin became a well-known manager, further solidifying his legacy in baseball history. His impact on the game, both as a player and as a manager, continues to be remembered by baseball enthusiasts.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
1021 3419 425 877 137 28 64 333 34 188 355 0.257 0.300 0.369 0.669 -5233.2

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
28 99 15 33 2 3 5 19 5 15 0.333

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1956 WS NYA 7 27 5 8 0 0 2 3 1 6 0.296
1955 WS NYA 7 25 2 8 1 1 0 4 1 5 0.320
1953 WS NYA 6 24 5 12 1 2 2 8 1 2 0.500
1952 WS NYA 7 23 2 5 0 0 1 4 2 2 0.217
1951 WS NYA 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
2B 767 435 1734 1840 74 532
3B 97 82 104 143 13 14
OF 1 0 0 0 0 0
SS 118 92 184 269 22 67

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Second Base 767
Third Base 97
Shortstop 119
Center Field 1

Awards & Honors

Year Award Notes
1953 Babe Ruth Award 2B

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1953 Most Valuable Player AL 25th 2.0 336 0