He was a rookie riding the Yankees' bench in 1952 when the Marines called up Jerry Coleman, the best second baseman in the American League for service in Korea. This gave Martin a chance to play regularly but he did not exclaim, "Oh, goodie!" Finding his name eighth in the batting order, he sought out Casey Stengel. "What is this, a joke?" he demanded. "I suppose tomorrow I'll be hitting behind the groundskeeper."

"Where do you think you should be hitting?" the manager asked. "Third?"

"Where else?" the young man said.

Red Smith - August 16, 1972