Recognizing Florida State University Baseball Coach Mike Martin, Sr.

Floor Speech

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Mr. DUNN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Florida State University legend Mike Martin, Sr.

On February 1, 2024, the Seminole community said ``goodbye'' to a man who encapsulated greatness. Coach Mike Martin spent over 40 years with the Seminole baseball program. He finished his coaching career with his 40th winning season and 17th College World Series appearance. Coach Martin's career record was 2,029 wins, 736 losses, and four ties earning him the title of the all-time winningest coach in any National Collegiate Athletics Association sport.

But Mike Martin was so much more than a coach to his former players and many others. Throughout his incredible career, Coach Martin produced 20 first-round draft picks and 60 Major League players. As news of his passing spread, players flooded social media with heartfelt messages honoring Martin. The legendary Deion Sanders remembered Coach Martin as ``a legend, a winner but most of all a good man.'' Former San Francisco Giants catcher and first baseman Buster Posey said: ``I will always feel lucky to have played for Mike Martin . . .''

May we all remember the trailblazer that is Mike Martin, Sr., and the impact he had on not only Florida State University, but all of college baseball.

To quote the movie The Sandlot: '' Heroes get remembered but legends never die .

Coach Mike Martin will always be one of those legends.

Rest easy, ``11.''

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