Former Florida State coach Mike Martin, the winningest coach in college baseball history, died Thursday, three years after he was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. He was 79 years old.
Martin spent 40 seasons at Florida State, going 2,029-736-4, before retiring after the 2019 season. He is not only the winningest coach in college baseball history, but also the winningest coach in the NCAA history.
During his tenure at Florida State, the Seminoles won 19 conference titles, made 40 NCAA Tournament appearances and advanced to the College World Series 17 times. Despite all that success, a national championship eluded him, including his final season in 2019, when Florida State made a surprise run to Omaha but was eliminated after three games.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mike Martin, an incredible man who had a profound impact on countless people throughout his incredible life,” ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said in a statement. “There is no way to replace the man known simply as '11': the winningest coach in NCAA baseball history, a Hall of Famer and a giant within the ACC and college athletics. No matter how decorated As a coach, I will always remember Mike's passion and devotion to his players, his faith and, most importantly, his beloved family. Our thoughts and prayers will remain with his loving wife Carol, his three children: Mike Jr., Mary Beth, and Melanie… and the entire Martin family.”
In an interview with ESPN in 2019, Martin reflected on the bad luck that seemed to dog him in the CWS. He said: “There may be many voices saying, 'You have a nice house. You have the most amazing wife a man could ask for. You have three healthy children. You have almost everything a man needs, and you.' have ever won a national championship?'” Martin said.
“How about the number of young people who came up to me at that celebration and hugged me and said, 'I love you, 11?' That's much more important. That's what I get from training. Do I want to earn it? Dad, right. I wouldn't work that hard, Dad. But I'm not going to say: woe is me!
Martin, known as 11 for the uniform number he wore, is a member of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame (he was born in the state) and the Florida State Athletic Hall of Fame. The National College Baseball Writers Association named its Coach of the Year trophy in his honor. His son, Mike Martin Jr., was his longtime assistant and succeeded him as baseball coach at Florida State. Martin Jr. was fired after three seasons.
Martin Sr. lived with Lewy body dementia for three years before his death.
The school plans to hold a public celebration of his life at Dick Howser Stadium, on the field that bears his name.
