FSU’s Martin Still Driven After 1,400 Victories

Florida State Coach Mike Martin is still as passionate about college baseball as he was 40 years ago, when he was roaming center field for the Seminoles.

“I wish I could say I had a sneaking suspicion way back then that I wanted to coach,” Martin said in his warm Southern drawl. “I had no inkling that things would turn out this way.”

Martin is now in his 27th season as the Seminoles’ skipper, and is one of the game’s most respected -- and most successful -- teachers. He recently became the eighth coach in NCAA history to win at least 1,400 games.

The long list of coaching accomplishments -- including the 22 50-win seasons, 26 consecutive NCAA regional appearances and the dozens of players he’s helped turn into stars -- only touches the surface of what drives the 62-year-old Martin.

He wants another chance to bring a College World Series title back home to Tallahassee. Martin has taken 12 Seminole teams to Omaha, the last in 2000, and has left empty-handed each time.

“For me to sit here and tell you that winning a national championship doesn’t matter, that’s bull,” Martin said. “You’re daggum right I want to win one. That’s what drives me every daggum day, but it doesn’t eat at me. It is a great motivational tool, because that’s my goal every year for our program.”

Whether this year’s team could be the one that breaks the dry spell remains to be seen, but it’s off to a good start. The Seminoles were 11-1 entering this weekend’s series against Brown, and were ranked as high as No. 5.

The offense is led by speedy All-American outfielder Shane Robinson, who was Collegiate Baseball’s national player of the year last season. Right-handers Bryan Henry, Tyler Chambliss and closer Luke Tucker anchor a solid pitching staff.

“This club is pretty good,” Martin said. “We pitch and play defense, but have some problem spots offensively. But it’s still early, and I really like this club.”

And Martin certainly knows talent. He has helped launch dozens of careers at Florida State, including those of future major leaguers J.D. Drew, Paul Wilson and Doug Mientkiewicz, and multisport star Deion Sanders.

“What I get out of coaching is watching a young man improve drastically and leaving here a much better player than he was when he came in here, and thinking he did it all himself,” he said.

Martin, recently elected to the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, relishes the annual challenge of trying to put together a championship-caliber team. The game itself -- the pitch-by-pitch strategy and constant decision making -- has lost none of its luster for Martin.

“I love the competition,” he said. “I love to be in the seventh inning, runners on first and second, nobody out and then try to put myself in the other dugout -- what’s he going to do? Is he going to bunt? And if I try to defense it, is he going to swing away?

“The cat-and-mouse stuff that goes on, I really, truly enjoy.”

It’s also something he’s proven he’s good at. Martin won No. 1,400 last Saturday against Minnesota and entered this weekend with a career record of 1,402-473-4. He’s one of only three Division I coaches to win that many games and have a career winning percentage of .700 or better.

“The 1,400 was very self-satisfying, but it’s kind of like when you make birdie -- you do have to go play the next hole, unless it’s No. 18,” he said with a laugh. “Anything can happen, so you can’t afford to get too caught up in all that.”

Martin’s relationship with Florida State began in 1965, when he helped lead the Seminoles to the College World Series as their starting center fielder after transferring from Wingate Junior College. After his senior season, Martin spent three years in the minors before turning to coaching.

He returned to Florida State as an assistant in 1975 and became the head coach in November 1979, when Dick Howser was hired as manager of the New York Yankees.

“There’s a strong feeling for this place and this community,” Martin said. “Heck, I saw the first set of lights go up here. I’ve seen the first covered concession stands. It’s really been an exciting ride.”

One that Martin plans to continue -- hopefully back to Omaha.

“Being 62, I’m realistic and I know I’m on the backstretch of my career,” Martin said. “But for now, I just want to keep on going.”

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Kansas left fielder Matt Baty will be sidelined indefinitely after having internal injuries in a collision with a teammate last weekend.

Baty and center fielder Kyle Murphy both were hospitalized after they collided while chasing Ryan Mitchell’s shot into left-center in the second inning of last Saturday’s 15-10 victory over Lipscomb.

The school issued statements from Baty and Coach Ritch Price on Wednesday, saying the senior captain lacerated his spleen and a kidney. Surgery wasn’t needed and he’s expected to make a full recovery, but it’s not immediately known how long Baty will be out.

“I’m feeling sore and weak,” said Baty, who’s hitting .300 with four RBIs. “With the proper rehab and recovery time, I believe I’ll be back by the end of the season.”

Murphy reportedly needed about 40 stitches to close cuts on his nose and mouth, but was expected to be back in the lineup this weekend.

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Southern Illinois entered its weekend series against Northern Illinois with a 9-1 record, the team’s best start in 36 years.

Since losing to Florida Atlantic in their second game, the Salukis had won eight straight. It’s the best opening to a season since the 1970 team started 12-1.

“It’s nice to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the teams in the ‘70s,” Coach Dan Callahan said. “When you’re playing well, winning can be contagious.”

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Joey Lieberman’s first Division I at-bat for Memphis was a blast.

The junior transfer from Meridian Community College came up as a pinch-hitter with a runner on, the game tied at 5 and two out in the top of the 10th inning against Notre Dame last Saturday.

Lieberman hit the first pitch from Kyle Weiland over the wall in left-center, and the Tigers held on in the bottom of the inning for a 7-6 victory.

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Jim Schmitz became the winningest coach in Eastern Illinois history, picking up No. 300 in the Panthers’ 3-2 victory over Wisconsin-Milwaukee last Saturday....Dallas Baptist right-hander Rodney Brantley threw a no-hitter in a 9-1 win over Texas-Arlington last Saturday. The only run scored on consecutive errors in the third inning....Mike Ambrose became the first Charlotte player since 1992 to hit for the cycle, accomplishing the feat in an 11-10, 14-inning victory Sunday.