Former FSU player, coach thanks Mike Martin for his opportunities, pays tribute to 'Eleven'

Update: Mike Martin died February 1, 2024. The legendary FSU baseball coach was 79.

I will be forever grateful for the opportunities provided to me by Mike Martin.

I truly believe I am in the position that I am in now as the head baseball coach at Tallahassee Community College because of "Eleven" and the chances he took on me as a player and a coach.

I am thankful for the doors that have been opened because of Martin, Florida State's legendary baseball coach who is known to everyone as "Eleven" for his jersey number.

First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers are with "Eleven," who was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in the summer of 2021, his wife Carol and the Martin family during this time.

Mrs. Martin recently publicly shared Eleven's condition, saying she appreciates the love and support extended to her husband and family in their journey. The family has been working with specialists to identify strategies that help Eleven's symptoms.

I love you guys!

Also, it was great to hear the annual Northwest Florida FCA Bobby Bowden Memorial Golf Tournament, is scheduled for Monday at Golden Eagle Country Club. It will honor Eleven and his contributions to FSU and our community.

Player thankful FSU baseball coach Mike Martin didn't give up on him

When I think back, man-oh-man am I glad Eleven took those chances on me. And, more importantly, I’m glad he didn’t give up on me.

I had the privilege to not only play for coach Martin, but also coach with him as well. What a lot of people might not know is that before each of those opportunities, I said, “No” first.

On the first day of my freshman year at North Florida Community College in 2004, I woke up to about five missed calls. I had missed calls from Eleven, Jamey Shouppe (pitching coach and recruiting coordinator) and at least three from my Dad.

I first called Dad and he asked if I had been in touch with anyone from FSU. I said no that he was my first call.

Long story short, an FSU player had signed a professional contract before the midnight deadline, and Eleven offered me a scholarship to FSU. I would have been allowed to sign and attend FSU because I had not yet attended a class in junior college. I appreciated the offer but told FSU "no" because I wanted to honor my commitment to North Florida CC.

After my freshman year at North Florida CC my phone buzzed again from FSU. It was another opportunity to play at my dream school. I could have stayed one more year at NFCC but after talking it over with my coach, Steve Givens, and parents, I committed to play for the Seminoles.

Fast-forward to the summer of 2012.

I was in my third season in Double-AA, and sixth season overall, in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. I received a call from FSU assistant coach Mike Martin Jr., who asked me about potentially being the volunteer coach at FSU for the upcoming year.

I spent the minor league All-Star break talking the decision over with my wife, Laura-Lee. I thought if I was n Double-AA for the third straight year, would I ever make it to the Big Leagues? I was pretty close to accepting FSU's offer. Then, about a week later, I was promoted to Triple-AAA, one step below the majors.

Mike Martin didn't want player to have any regrets

I got off to a good start in Triple-AAA. I threw the ball great and my hope was restored that I had a chance to make to the MLB.

A week later, Eleven telephoned and offered me the position as his volunteer assistant coach. He said I was the guy he wanted. But I explained to Eleven I could not walk away from professional baseball just yet, and he completely understood. Eleven told me he would feel terrible if I accepted the position and then had any type of regret down the road.

So again, I said “No” to Eleven and FSU a second tiime.

Skip ahead to the next summer of 2013.

It was August and I was in Independent League baseball in St. Paul, Minnesota, after I was released by Diamondbacks. Again, I threw the ball great and, out of the blue, I got a call from Eleven.

It was a conversation I will never forget.

Eleven was quick and straight to the point. He said, “B Hen, where are you at?” I answered, "St. Paul, Minnesota. " He replied, “Where is Laura-Lee and AJ (my 1-year-old son)? ” I said, Tallahassee." He finished with, “Exactly, it’s time for you to come home to your family and start coaching with me.”

Even today, I am not sure how to say no to that!

I accepted Eleven's offer and had the privilege to serve as his volunteer assistant coach.

It was a decision that started me in a coaching career that also spanned eight seasons as the pitching coach at Florida A&M under coach Shouppe prior to replacing Hall of Fame coach Mike McLeod (and former Seminole!) at TCC.

I am so thankful Eleven stayed with me and did not just move on to the next guy in both situations. I will be forever grateful he talked me into taking the coaching route and gave me my first opportunity.

I have learned so much from him as a player and a coach. So much of what I do and how I coach is based on what I learned from Eleven and my time at FSU. I will cherish my time as a Seminole forever. I hope I can impact my players lives like Eleven has impacted mine.

Again, my thoughts and prayers are with Eleven and Martin family. Love you guys!

Editor's note: The annual Northwest Florida FCA Bobby Bowden Memorial Golf Tournament, is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 30, at Golden Eagle Country Club.

It will honor Mike Martin.

Bryan Henry, a former All-American and ACC Pitcher of the Year (2007) at Florida State, is in second season as the head baseball coach at Tallahassee Community College. Henry, 38, played seven seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, reaching Triple-A and playing for Team USA (2010).

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Former FSU baseball player thankful Mike Martin never gave up on him