Minor League player struck by lightning 70 years ago today
By Manny Gómez
Imagine being struck by lightning. Pretty unthinkable, right? Now imagine you’re a minor league player and get struck by lightning during a game.
The chances of being struck by lightning are rather minuscule. In fact, according to National Geographic, 1 in 700,000 people are struck by lightning in any one year. 70 years ago today, one of those people just so happened to be a minor league player catching for the Pampa Oilers of the West Texas-New Mexico (C) league.
His name was Jim Martin, a minor-league lifer who showed some promise throughout his brief MiLB career. In all, Martin would eventually reach AA for the Shreveport Sports in the Texas League, but mostly he spent his time in Level C with the aforementioned Oilers.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Now, it wasn’t until 1950 when Martin began to show promise as a ballplayer. Up to that point, he had a career .243 average with just 7 home runs to his name.
Then, on April 28, 1950, the unthinkable happened.
In a game against the Abilene Blue Sox, Jim Martin was literally knocked unconscious after being struck by lightning. According to reports, his mask flew over and behind the pitcher and was later found somewhere between the mound and second base.
Later, that same game would be called due to rain with the Blue Sox leading the Oilers by a score of 3-1.
Martin would return to play that season and actually impress with career-best numbers. In fact, according to Diamond in the Dusk, Martin is one of 51 West Texas-New Mexico players to hit .300 or better. That season, he’d also finish with career highs in home runs (14) and doubles (31).
In all, Martin’s minor league career was rather respectable. In 7-minor league seasons, he hit .273 with 75 home runs.
Next. Bobby Bonds - the Three True Outcome prototype. dark
However, he truly shined while playing with the Oilers. There, Martin hit .308 and 68 homers over parts of four seasons. His best season came in 1956 when he slugged a career-high 31 home runs and hit .328. 1956 also happens to be his final year playing pro-baseball.