1977 Topps Baseball #596 - Jerry Martin

• Jerry Martin was a first round draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1970. Jerry played in the minors from 1971-1973. Martin spent the 1974 season in AAA and was called up in September (3 for 14 in 13 games).
• Martin started the 1975 season in AAA and was called up in late May. He struggled at the plate and was sent back down in July. Jerry was recalled in September. Martin batted .212 in 57 games for the Phillies in 1975.
• In 1976 Martin spent most of the season as a defensive replacement in left field. Although he played in 130 games, Jerry only got to the plate 129 times (.248, 2 HR, 15 RBI). Martin appeared in one game in the 1976 NL Championship Series and was 0 for 1.
• Jerry was a backup outfielder and first baseman in 1977. Martin often appeared as a defensive replacement for Greg Luzinski in LF and also started several games in RF. He batted .260 in 116 games. Martin went 0 for 4 in three games in the NL Championship Series.
• Martin got several starts in right field in 1978 and batted .271 with 9 HR and 36 RBI in 128 games. Jerry started two games in right field in the 1978 NL Championship Series (.222 with 1 HR in 9 at bats).
• In February of 1979 Jerry was traded to the Chicago Cubs as part of an eight-player deal. Martin became the starting center fielder for the Cubs and batted .272 with 19 HR and 73 RBI in 150 games. In 1980 Martin hit a few more home runs (23), but his batting average dipped to .227 in 141 games. 
• After the 1980 season Jerry was traded (with Jesus Figueroa and a minor leaguer) to the San Francisco Giants for Phil Nastu and Joe Strain. Martin signed a five-year contract before the 1981 season, but he spent only one season with the Giants, batting .241 in 72 games as a backup outfielder.
• Martin was traded to the Kansas City Royals before the 1982 season for Bill Laskey and Rich Gale. Jerry became the starting RF for the Royals and batted .266 with 15 HR and 65 RBI in 147 games.
• In 1983 Jerry got off to a fast start (.313 in 13 games), but he didn't play after April 22 due to a wrist injury (he had surgery in July) and a drug scandal that swirled around the Royals.
• After the 1983 season Martin was sentenced to three months in prison for misdemeanor cocaine possession and was suspended for one year by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn for his admitted drug use. The suspension was lifted by an arbitrator and Jerry was able to resume his playing career with the New York Mets in May of 1984. Martin didn't do much with the Mets in 1984 (.154 in 51 games) and he was released on September 30.
• After his playing career Martin coached in the minor leagues for several teams. His most recent coaching job was hitting coach for the AA Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers organization).
• 1977 Stats: 
• Regular Season: .260, 6 HR, 28 RBI in 116 games
• NL Championship Series: .000 (0 for 4) in 3 games
• 1977 Highlights:
• July 6 - Singled in two runs in the 6th inning to help the Phillies to a come from behind 5-3 win over the New York Mets
• Other card blogs: 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, Cardboard Gods