Pepper Martin

Johnny Leonard Roosevelt "Pepper" Martin (February 29, 1904 – March 5, 1965) was an American professional baseball outfielder, third baseman, and minor league manager. He played thirteen seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1928 to 1944. Martin was known as the "Wild Horse of the Osage" for the daring, aggressive baserunning that defined his style of play.

He is best remembered for his heroics in the 1931 World Series, in which he served as the catalyst of a Cardinals upset victory over the Philadelphia Athletics. Martin was an integral member of the St. Louis teams of the 1930s that came to be called the Gashouse Gang, a nickname earned for their roguish behavior and practical jokes. Early in his career, some contemporary press reports labeled him the next Ty Cobb because of his spirited, hustling approach. His headlong attitude on the field, however, took a physical toll on his body, and he never fully lived up to those initial expectations.

After his playing career ended, Martin remained in baseball as a successful minor league manager. In 2017, he was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame.