He was born to W. Baine and Elizabeth Martin on February 12, 1944, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He attended Garinger High School, Wingate University and then transferred to Florida State University to play baseball. In June 1964 he married Carol Dellinger and the newlyweds moved to Tallahassee. Mike graduated in 1966 and was drafted by the New York Mets. After playing in the minor leagues for the Mets and Detroit Tigers, he and Carol settled in Tallahassee to raise a family. His coaching career began at Cobb Junior High and continued at Godby High, Tallahassee Community College and then as Assistant Baseball Coach at Florida State University. He became Head Coach of FSU baseball in 1980 and coached there until his retirement in 2019. He was the most successful baseball coach in college baseball compiling a record of 2029 wins. The baseball field at FSU was named in his honor in 2005. He was also the winningest baseball Coach in college baseball history (as well as across all collegiate sports) and he had the highest winning percentage of all active coaches. In January 2024 he was awarded the prestigious Lefty Gomez Award given by the American Baseball Coaches Association for lifetime contributions to the game of baseball.
Mike was a member of Killearn Methodist Church, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Golden Eagle Country Club Men’s Golf Association, Killearn Country Club, Seminole Legacy Golf Club, Shark’s Tooth Country Club, FSU Circle of Gold, FSU Alumni Association, Seminole Boosters, FSU Varsity Club, University Center Club, College Baseball Foundation Hall of Fame, American Baseball Coaches National Hall of Fame, Florida State University Hall of Fame, State of North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, FSU’s 100 most distinguished graduates, recipient of the Bernie Sliger Award the highest honor of the FSU Alumni Association, and recipient of many Coach of the Year honors as well as Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Heart of Gold Award, and naming the Children’s Center Playroom in honor of the Martin Family. After his retirement in 2019 the National Coach of the Year award was named in his honor. Affectionately called “11” his number eleven jersey has been retired at Florida State.
Mike split his time between his favorite places Tallahassee, Panama City Beach and the mountains of Northeast Georgia. He shared wonderful times at these beautiful spots with his loving wife, children and grandchildren. He enjoyed many rounds of golf with friends in Tallahassee and around the country.
He will be remembered and forever cherished by his wife Carol, his children Mary Beth Buchanan and her husband Tom (Tallahassee) Mike Martin, Jr. (Tallahassee) and Melanie Jarvis and her husband Adam (St. Petersburg), precious grandchildren Hannah, Tyler, T.J. and Alexis. He is survived by a brother W. Baine Martin, his wife Carol (Boone, NC), sisters-in-law Dottie Rea and her husband John, Joy Wilkinson and her husband Bobby and Snookie Dellinger all of Charlotte, NC and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Elizabeth Eaves as well as brother-in-law Phil Eaves (Myrtle Beach, SC) and brother-in-law Paul Dellinger (Charlotte, NC).
A Celebration of Mike’s life will be held on Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium on the campus of Florida State University on Saturday February 10, 2024 at 12 noon. Interment at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home, 700 Timberland Road will follow the Celebration. This will be a private family graveside service.
Mike and his family supported many organizations and charities over the years. These include the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Brehon Institute, Hope House, Young Life, Guardian Ad Litem Foundation, Leon County Schools Foundation, Capital Medical Society, Killearn Methodist Church, Salvation Army, Kidz 1st Fund, United Way, Seminole Boosters, Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, Deerlake Methodist Church and Bradfordville First Baptist Church. Donations in lieu of flowers should be sent to any of these worthwhile organizations.
The caring professionals of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home are assisting the Martin family with arrangements.
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