Pepper Martin

Johnny Leonard Roosevelt “Pepper” Martin (b. February 29, 1904, Temple, Oklahoma – d. March 5, 1965, McAlester, Oklahoma) was a Major League Baseball player. Martin, who was also known as the “Wild Horse of the Osage”, was a third baseman and outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals' “Gashouse Gang” during the 1930s. He also pitched 4 innings: two in 1934 and two in 1936. Martin spent seven years in the Cardinals farm system. In 1930 he batted .363... more

Johnny Leonard Roosevelt “Pepper” Martin (b. February 29, 1904, Temple, Oklahoma – d. March 5, 1965, McAlester, Oklahoma) was a Major League Baseball player. Martin, who was also known as the “Wild Horse of the Osage”, was a third baseman and outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals' “Gashouse Gang” during the 1930s. He also pitched 4 innings: two in 1934 and two in 1936. Martin spent seven years in the Cardinals farm system. In 1930 he batted .363 for Rochester in the International League. In 1931 Martin took the place of center-fielder Taylor Douthit who was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. He batted .300 as the Cardinals won the National League pennant. In the World Series that year, Martin batted .500 and stole 5 bases as the Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Athletics 4 games to 3. During the series Martin was asked how he had learned to run so fast; he replied “I grew up in Oklahoma, and once you start runnin' out there there ain't nothin' to stop you”. That year Martin was... less