How did Mike Martin die? Florida State University pays heartfelt tribute to their baseball hero
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA: Mike Martin, the longtime baseball coach of Florida State University, died at the age of 79. Mike passed away in hospice care in Florida on February 1 following a three-year fight with Lewy body dementia.
Florida State University paid respect to the baseball hero in an X post, saying, "Today we mourn with the Martin family the passing of a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and baseball coach. Rest in Peace, 11."
Today we mourn with the Martin family the passing of a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and baseball coach.
— FSU Baseball (@FSUBaseball) February 1, 2024
Rest in Peace, 11 pic.twitter.com/5cWLT3hcAj
Mike's family released a statement paying respect to "a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother."
"Mike Martin passed away peacefully and is now coaching 'em up in heaven," they said in a statement.
"The wins and losses did not mean as much as much as making a positive difference in people’s lives. He especially wanted Seminole fans to be proud of his 'boys' on and off the field. And he wanted everyone who came through the FSU baseball program to be prepared for life through Christ."
Mike is survived by his wife Carol and their three children: Mary Beth, Melanie, and Mike Martin Jr.
When was Mike Martin diagnosed with dementia?
Carol Martin, Mike's 58-year-old wife, revealed Mike's dementia diagnosis for the first time in an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat in October 2023. She also said that her spouse was first diagnosed with the disease in the summer of 2021, just two years into his retirement.
Carol described changes in her husband's attention, attentiveness, and conduct. The family collaborated with physicians and experts to develop measures to alleviate Mike's problems.
He was a patient at a Tallahassee memory care facility and had been receiving hospice care since mid-January. She stated that his mind would frequently gravitate toward the diamond and that he would occasionally offer baseball tips to her.
"We laugh at some of the things that transpire – though it is a tragedy," she remarked. "You try to laugh to lift your spirits. In his mind at these times, he’s okay and still doing what he loves. We are hoping in his mind he’s happy and at peace."
When did Mike Martin retire?
Mike, who last coached the Seminoles in 2019 before retiring, guided them to 40 consecutive NCAA tournaments. Mike led the Seminoles to 19 conference championships and two College World Series appearances, alongside Martin, in 1986 and 1999.
He won the National Coach of the Year award twice, in 2012 and 2019. Mike is the most winning coach in collegiate sports, with 2,029 wins, 736 losses, and four ties.
Coach Mike Martin's legacy includes 4 Golden Spikes winners
Mike coached more than 70 players at Florida State, including Doug Mientkiewicz, Mike Fuentes, Mike Loynd, Paul Wilson, J.D. Drew, and Buster Posey. Eight players were selected as national players of the year; four received the Golden Spikes Award, and two earned the Dick Howser Trophy.
Mike Martin Jr, Mike's son, coached under his father at Florida State for 22 seasons before taking over as head coach for three seasons. Link Jarrett, the current FSU coach, played and coached under Mike.
Mike eclipsed the late Augie Garrido (1,975) for the NCAA baseball victories record with a 3-2, 13-inning victory over No. 9 Clemson on May 5, 2018.
Martin became the first coach to reach 2,000 career victories on March 9, 2019, when he defeated Virginia Tech 5-2 in the second game of a doubleheader.
Mike's Seminoles played in two national championship games, losing to Arizona 10-2 and Miami 6-5. FSU's 1970 squad, led by Mike Stallings, also made it to the championship game but lost to Southern Cal in 15 innings.