Flashback: Career minor leaguer “Oyster Joe” Martina in rare World Series appearance

New Orleans native John Martina is remembered more for his catchy nickname “Oyster Joe” than his pitching record in the majors. That’s because Martina spent 21 years in the minors, but only one in the big leagues. However, his season included a World Series appearance during an historic year for the Washington Senators franchise.

He spent the 1924 season with the Senators and was a member of the staff that featured future Hall of Famer Walter Johnson. The 34-year-old Martina had spent the previous 14 seasons in the minors, including three years with the New Orleans Pelicans for whom he won 56 games from 1921 to 1923.

Martina started 14 of his 24 appearances for the Senators and finished with a 6-8 record, while Johnson, Tom Zachary, and George Mogridge shouldered most of the workload in the starting rotation. The Senators wound up surging in late August to win the pennant over the vaunted New York Yankees. It was the Senators’ first World Series appearance.

Washington faced the New York Giants who were playing in their fourth World Series in four years. Martina got his opportunity to pitch in Game 3, when he entered the game in the seventh inning with the Senators trailing, 5-2. And who does he face? None other three future Hall of Famers—George Kelly, Bill Terry, and Hack Wilson. Martina rose to the occasion and retired them in order.

It was his only appearance in the Series, eventually won by the Senators in seven games.

Martina returned to New Orleans in 1925 and pitched for the Pelicans for four seasons, including two campaigns with 23 wins in each. He spent the last few years of his career in the low minors, eventually retiring in 1931 at age 41. Baseball-Reference.com shows that he won 322 games in the minors. It could have been more since there are two seasons where his detailed statistics are missing. In any case, he is acknowledged as the pitcher with the second-most wins in minor-league history, behind Bill Thomas.

Below is a complete list of New Orleans metro area players who played in one or more World Series.

 
Asterisks indicate team won the World Series that season.

Tampa Bay’s Aaron Loup (Hahnville High School) will likely be the next player from the area to play in the World Series against the Dodgers starting October 20.