Jack Martin Lives On

To many, if not most, Jack Martin is best known for having a road named after him in Brick Township. However, old-timers and long-time residents know that Martin was a former major league baseball player who played for both the Yankees and Phillies during a three-year career between 1912-1914.  Born in Plainfield, he spent the last 26 years of his life in Brick and died on July 4, 1980, less than two weeks after suffering two heart attacks shortly after being introduced at the Yankees' Old-Timer’s Day.

Martin was 93 years old, and at the time of his death was the oldest living former Yankees and Phillies player. Not long after his death a scholarship was created in Martin’s honor which would be awarded to a Brick Township college-bound baseball or softball player. Thirty-three years later, that scholarship fund remains thanks to the efforts of Hank Handchen and Paul Larson, Jr.  Tuesday at Larson Ford, soon-to-be Brick High School graduates Nikki Forbes and Nick Zbranak each received $250 as the latest recipients of the Jack Martin Scholarship.

Forbes, a second baseman on the Green Dragons softball team, will be attending West Chester University while Zbranak, who had a fine season at third base for Brick, is on his way to the University of Tampa.

Speaking of baseball, Jackson Memorial has reached the Group 4 state final following a 6-5 victory over defending champion Eastern Regional.  Matt Guarino earned the win on the mound and helped his own cause with a home run.  The Jaguars will meet Roxbury on Saturday in Toms River as they bid for their first state title since 1972.