Books and articles about Pepper Martin

Martin, labeled "The Wild Horse of the Osage" by a Rochester sportswriter for his aggressive play, was the personification of the Cardinals' Gashouse Gang. He played every facet of the game with passion. His bellyflop slides helped him to lead the NL in stolen bases and score more than 120 runs in each of three seasons. He dashed for every batted ball as if it were the seventh game of the World Series. In lopsided games, he would reportedly throw at batters who bunted instead of throwing them out at first. He got along well with manager Frankie Frisch, although his horseplay could exasperate the skipper.

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RELATED LINKS » 1965: Red Smith on Pepper Martin Photos » Photo: Pepper Martin from Baseball Between the Wars Ask The Experts » Who were the Gashouse Gang? » What was the World Series roster for the 1934 St. Louis Cardinals?

In the 1931 WS, Martin batted .500, with five extra-base hits and five stolen bases. His career WS batting average of .418 is the highest among players with 50 or more at-bats. (FJO)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » October 1, 1931: Pepper Martin, an unheralded rookie, gets 3 hits, but the A's Lefty Grove coasts to an easy 6-2 victory in the WS opener in St. Louis. » October 2, 1931: The Cards even the WS as Wild Bill Hallahan shuts out the A's 2-0 despite 7 walks and a wild pitch. Pepper Martin continues to steal the Series, scoring from 2B on a base hit in the 2nd inning and sliding in a cloud of dust on a squeeze play in the 8th. He has 2 stolen bases, but the game almost gets away on a bonehead play by the usually savvy Cardinal C Jimmy Wilson. With 2 on base in the 9th, and 2 outs, PH Johnny Moore swings at a ball in the dirt and misses. Wilson needs only to throw the ball to 1B. Instead, he throws it to 3B, and everyone is safe. Fortunately for Wilson's reputation, Jim Bottomley makes a sensational catch, leaning into the box seats to get the final out on a pop foul by Max Bishop. » October 5, 1931: Because of a Pennsylvania law banning baseball on Sunday, an extra day is added as the Series moves to Philadelphia. Lefty Grove pitches the 3rd game with 3 days rest. However, Burleigh Grimes, who had lost twice to Grove in 1930, has a no-hitter until the 8th inning, winning 5-2. Pepper Martin continues to excite the crowds with 2 more hits, scoring twice. » October 6, 1931: The A's George Earnshaw evens the WS with a 3-0 shutout, giving up 2 hits to the red-hot Pepper Martin. Jimmie Foxx hits a ball over the LF stands, judged one of the longest drives ever at Shibe Park. » October 7, 1931: Connie Mack, who surprised everyone in 1929 by starting veteran Howard Ehmke in the WS opener, tries the ploy with Waite Hoyt. Pitching in his 7th WS, Hoyt falls victim to Pepper Martin, who homers and drives in 4 runs with 3 hits. Hallahan wins for the Cards 5-1. » October 9, 1931: With the Series back in St. Louis, Lefty Grove evens matters by containing Pepper Martin and winning easily 8-1. » May 5, 1933: Pepper Martin of the Cardinals hits for the cycle and adds a double in 5–3 win against the Phillies. » June 6, 1933: The Cards and Reds battle to a 6–2 St. Louis decision, with Dizzy Dean beating Paul Derringer. The pre-game fight between the two pitchers, who exchanged words then fists during batting practice, goes to the Reds pitcher, who landed the first blow. Reds manager Jewel Ens was tossed during the game, and several bottles were tossed as well. One bottle strikes Burgess Whitehead on the shoulder. Pepper Martin, the National League's top hitter at .386, has four hits, as does Ducky Medwick. » June 20, 1934: At St. Louis, the Dodgers use 15 hits to down the Cards, 9–5. Taylor, with three extra base hits, and Tony Cuccinello, with a 3-run homer, pace the fusillade. Van Lingle Mungo wins his 11 of the year, allowing 11 hits. Pepper Martin has two of the hits and a steal of home. » May 22, 1936: Collecting 17 hits, including eight doubles, the Cards overwhelm the Pirates, 11–4. Dizzy Dean breezes to his 6th win and the Cards increase their lead to one 1/2 games. Pepper Martin scores in his 13th consecutive game, but will go runless tomorrow. » July 27, 1936: In an exhibition game against a semipro shoe company, Paul Dean is hammered for six hits and four runs in four innings. The Cards then rally with Flint Rhem and Pepper Martin on the mound to win, 8–5. a tearful Dean threatens to quit after the rout. » May 12, 1937: St. Louis OF Joe Medwick tallies four extra-base hits: two home runs -- off Claude Passeau and Orville Jorgens -- and a pair of doubles in a Cards 15–3 win over the Phillies. The Cards collect 20 hits, including four by Pepper Martin and a round tripper by Brusie Ogrodowski. » July 13, 1937: The Cardinals' Pepper Martin is fined $200 for violation of training rules. » May 8, 1939: At Ebbets Field, Cards veteran Pepper Martin breaks up a pitching duel between Brooklyn's Red Evans and Bob Weiland by swiping home in the 6th inning. Martin's two-out steal is the only run of the game as the Cards win, 1–0. » August 26, 1949: For choking an umpire in the Florida International League, Miami manager Pepper Martin is fined $100 and suspended for the remaining 2 weeks in the season. » September 3, 1950: Havana (Florida International League) wins its fifth straight pennant. Miami, managed by Pepper Martin, finishes second.