John L.R. "Pepper" Martin - Oklahoma City, OK
Posted by: 
hamquilter
N 35° 27.909 W 097° 30.537
14S E 635291 N 3925649
Born in Oklahoma, Pepper Martin was a powerhouse player in the heyday of major league baseball.
Waymark Code: WMAYAC
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 03/11/2011
Views: 7
This memorial to Pepper Martin is located on the west side of RedHawks Ballpark in the Bricktown area of Oklahoma City. (NOTE: UPDATE - April 2012 - The Chickasaw Nation has acquired naming rights to this ballfield. The new name is Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.) The RedHawks are a Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, who play in the Pacific Coast League. This memorial honors this Oklahoma-born baseball hero.
This memorial which was part of the Oklahoma 2007 statehood Centennial celebration consists of a head and shoulders statue of Martin in his cap and uniform. The bronze bust sits on a bell-shaped base atop a granite stone with the following inscription:
"John L.R. “Pepper” Martin / February 29, 1904 – March 5, 1965 / John Leonard Roosevelt “Pepper” Martin was born in Temple, Oklahoma and grew up in Oklahoma City. He spent two years on St. Louis Cardinals’ farm teams and earned the “Pepper” nickname as a bundle of non-stop action before moving up to the majors full time in 1931. During the off-season, Martin played professional football for Oklahoma’s Hominy Indians where he earned a second nickname, “The Wild Horse of the Osage.” / As an unknown rookie in the 1931 World Series, Pepper logged 12 hits in 24 at-bats – an unprecedented and still unbeaten .500 series average. He also scored five runs, five RBIs and five stolen bases, emerging from the series as one of baseball’s most celebrated heroes. Pepper spent 13 years as a Cardinal and was a leader of the famous “Gashouse Gang,” recognized for their powerhouse talents on the field and their side-splitting antics off the field. He retired in 1944 with a lifetime batting average of .298, but continued in baseball as a manager of minor league teams. / Martin was an eloquent public speaker, attracting listeners to his ranch near Quinton, Oklahoma, to hear his captivating stories. He promoted fundamental family and spiritual values, inspiring one neighbor, Don McClanen, to found the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The Wild Horse of the Osage galloped through the history book of sports with a style and energy that will not be forgotten."