Bob Martyn
Encyclopedia
Academically, Martyn double-majored in mathematics and sociology and he graduated cum laude. While playing professional baseball, he earned his masters degree in education in 1959, studying between seasons.
In 2000, Martyn was elected to the Linfield College Athletics Hall of Fame. His father, Bernard Martyn was elected in 1999. They are one of two father-son combinations in the Linfield College Athletics Hall of Fame.
in 1952, Martyn, in his first professional baseball game on July 4 of that year, went 5-for-6 while playing for the Boise Yankees
.
An impressive minor league player, he was named to three All-Star teams while in the minors. In the 1956 American Association
All-Star Game, he hit two home runs, winning the MVP Award for the game.
, Billy Martin
and Ralph Terry
to the Athletics for Ryne Duren
, Jim Pisoni
and Harry Simpson
.
Just three days after the trade, Martyn made his big league debut, on June 18, 1957. Facing the Washington Senators
, Martyn – playing in right field – went 1-4 with a walk in his first big league game. Overall in his first big league season, he hit .267 in 58 games. In 131 at-bats, he hit one home run and drove in 12 RBI.
The following year, Martyn appeared in 95 games, hitting .261 in 226 at-bats. That year, he was sixth in the league with seven triples and ninth in the league with five intentional walks.
Despite having two respectable seasons in a row prior to 1959, 1959 would end up being his final year in the majors. He appeared in only one game, getting only one at-bat. In his final big league at-bat, pinch-hitting for Bob Grim, he grounded out.
On April 12, 1959, he was traded back to the Yankees with Mike Baxes
for Russ Snyder
and Tom Carroll
.
His playing career was interrupted by two years in military service.
Overall, Martyn played in 154 big league games. In 358 at-bats, he hit .263 with three home runs and 35 RBI. He hit 12 doubles and 11 triples, scoring 35 runs and stealing two bases (while being caught stealing seven times).
for 23 years. He served twice on the Linfield Alumni Board and was president in 1973.
In 2000, Martyn was elected to the Linfield College Athletics Hall of Fame. His father, Bernard Martyn was elected in 1999. They are one of two father-son combinations in the Linfield College Athletics Hall of Fame.
Minor leagues
Originally signed by the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in 1952, Martyn, in his first professional baseball game on July 4 of that year, went 5-for-6 while playing for the Boise Yankees
Boise Yankees
The Boise Yankees were a minor league baseball team that played from 1952 to 1953 in the Pioneer League. Based in Boise, Idaho, they were affiliated with the New York Yankees in both their years of existence. They played their home games at Joe Devine Airway Park.A notable person to play for the...
.
An impressive minor league player, he was named to three All-Star teams while in the minors. In the 1956 American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
All-Star Game, he hit two home runs, winning the MVP Award for the game.
Major leagues
He was sent to the Athletics in a trade that took place on June 15, 1957. The Yankees sent Martyn, Woodie HeldWoodie Held
Woodson George "Woodie" Held was a shortstop/outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels and Chicago White Sox. He batted and threw right-handed...
, Billy Martin
Billy Martin
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin, Jr. was an American Major League Baseball second baseman and manager. He is best known as the manager of the New York Yankees, a position he held five different times...
and Ralph Terry
Ralph Terry
Ralph Willard Terry is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees , Kansas City Athletics , Cleveland Indians and New York Mets...
to the Athletics for Ryne Duren
Ryne Duren
Rinold George "Ryne" Duren was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball.He was known for the combination of his blazing fastball and his very poor vision. With his thick coke bottle glasses, few batters dared to dig in against Duren...
, Jim Pisoni
Jim Pisoni
James Peter Pisoni was an American professional baseball player, a backup outfielder in Major League Baseball. Pisoni played mainly as a center fielder for four teams between 1953 and 1960. Listed at , , he batted and threw right-handed, and was born in St...
and Harry Simpson
Harry Simpson
Harry Leon "Suitcase" Simpson was an African American outfielder and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for a number of teams. He played in the World Series with the New York Yankees in 1957, where they lost....
.
Just three days after the trade, Martyn made his big league debut, on June 18, 1957. Facing the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, Martyn – playing in right field – went 1-4 with a walk in his first big league game. Overall in his first big league season, he hit .267 in 58 games. In 131 at-bats, he hit one home run and drove in 12 RBI.
The following year, Martyn appeared in 95 games, hitting .261 in 226 at-bats. That year, he was sixth in the league with seven triples and ninth in the league with five intentional walks.
Despite having two respectable seasons in a row prior to 1959, 1959 would end up being his final year in the majors. He appeared in only one game, getting only one at-bat. In his final big league at-bat, pinch-hitting for Bob Grim, he grounded out.
On April 12, 1959, he was traded back to the Yankees with Mike Baxes
Mike Baxes
Michael Baxes is a former professional baseball player. He played two seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily as a second baseman and shortstop, in 1956 and 1958 for the Kansas City Athletics....
for Russ Snyder
Russ Snyder
Russell Henry Snyder was an outfielder for the Kansas City Athletics , Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers ....
and Tom Carroll
Tom Carroll (infielder)
Thomas Edward Carroll is a former right-handed Major League Baseball shortstop/third baseman/pinch runner who played from 1955 to 1956 and in 1959 for the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics. He was 6'3" tall and he weighed 186 pounds...
.
His playing career was interrupted by two years in military service.
Overall, Martyn played in 154 big league games. In 358 at-bats, he hit .263 with three home runs and 35 RBI. He hit 12 doubles and 11 triples, scoring 35 runs and stealing two bases (while being caught stealing seven times).
Post-baseball career
After his professional baseball career ended in 1960, Martyn worked for TektronixTektronix
Tektronix, Inc. is an American company best known for its test and measurement equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and video and mobile test protocol equipment. In November 2007, Tektronix became a subsidiary of Danaher Corporation....
for 23 years. He served twice on the Linfield Alumni Board and was president in 1973.