William Martin – Athlete

Inducted October 31, 1998

Bill Martin, a native of St. John’s, was an exceptional athlete in the sports of hockey and baseball as a member of the Feildian Double Blues and a noted gentleman for both on and off the field of play. Bill Martin’s hockey career started on the wind swept shores and frozen waters of Quidi Vidi Lake. A natural on the ice he found his way into the St. John’s Junior Hockey League after a successful stint in the St. John’s High School Hockey League having been named most valuable player in 1955, 1956 and 1957.

In 1959, he won the Clyde Green Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Play and Gentlemanly conduct as a member of the Feildian Junior Hockey Club.

Bill Martin won the Gordon Scammel Trophy for Top Defenseman in the Senior Hockey Loop when hockey was the dominant winter pre-occupation of the City’s residents in 1960, 1962, and 1969. He won the Ashley Trophy for Top Scorer in 1962 and in 1960 and 1962 won the Doug Pinsent Trophy awarded to the most gentlemanly and effective player.

In 1960 at the tender age of 21, Bill Martin won the Tom Dunne Trophy awarded to St. John’s Athlete of the Year for his hockey and baseball exploits.

He also garnered votes for the Athlete of the Year award in 1959, 1963 & 1964.

Bill Martin’s exploits on the baseball diamond did not go unnoticed in the 1960’s when athletic activity in the city during the summer months revolved around St. Pat’s Ball Park. He won awards in the St. John’s Baseball League for the highest average, most hits, stolen bases and Rookie of the Year. He was the top batter for three (3) consecutive years and named MVP in 1964. He also won MVP awards for his play with Feildians.

Billy Martin, in addition to numerous individual awards played on four (4) Feildian City Baseball Championship Teams and was a member of St. John’s Capitals All Newfoundland Championship Teams.

Charlie Riddle, Newfoundland’s pre-imminent baseball coach in his era and who coached Billy Martin said he was Newfoundland’s best spray ball hitter.

Sport Newfoundland and Labrador is honoured to induct athlete Bill Martin into the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame.