Former Seminole pays tribute to legendary FSU baseball coach Mike Martin

There are not many times I struggle to put my thoughts down on paper.

But this is one of those times.

Trying to express and condense my thoughts and memories of Mike Martin, known as 11 for the uniform number he wore at Florida State, is next to impossible. There is not enough time or space to express all my gratitude, appreciation and respect for the man that left a lasting impression on my life.

First, I want to express my condolences to Mrs. Carol and the entire Martin family for their loss.

Eleven passed away on Feb. 1, three years after a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia. He was 79. Eleven's public memorial service is scheduled for Saturday at noon at Dick Howser Stadium.

I know this time can’t be easy and my thoughts and prayers are with the Martins. Having played for, coached with, and been friends with Eleven for so long, I know one thing for sure.

I know exactly where he stood in his faith, and with that, I know where he is right now.

That by no means make the loss any easier but it will make celebrating his life on Saturday that much sweeter. Knowing he is in Heaven and I will be able to see him again one day brings a smile to my face!

I was extremely lucky as a little kid.

Because of my dad’s job as a sports writer, I grew up in the Florida State athletic department. I was probably age 5 when I first met Eleven. One of the only things I remember back that far was Eleven had me sit by him during his post-game interviews. And Eleven always made that moment seem like it was about me, even though it had nothing to do with me.

Henry's dream became a reality when he played for Eleven at Florida State

Eleven and his personality were a big reason that I fell in love with FSU. And it became of dream of mine to play for Eleven at FSU.

Thankfully, that dream became a reality when I played for Eleven at FSU from 2005-07. And that reality has helped shape the rest of my life. There is no doubt in my mind that I would not be where I am right now without the presence and influence of Eleven in my life. He helped develop me as a player, he made me a better person, he helped strengthen my faith and helped turn me into the coach I am today.

I remember my first day of fall practice as a Seminole 20 years ago.

We were doing our individual drills, and I was at third base at the time. Individual drills consisted of pick drills, first-step drills and ground balls. When we finished, I was gassed and drenched with sweat. As I tried to catch my breath, I heard from behind me, "You sucking on sewer water Tallahassee?”

I tried to play it cool like I knew what that meant. But, honestly, I had no clue and asked a returning player what it meant. It meant that I looked like I felt, exhausted, and there was no hiding it. It is now something I ask my players at Tallahassee Community College when I see them wearing down. "You sucking on sewer water? Lets go!"

I have also done a team-building tactic on my team this season that Eleven did with our 2006 Seminoles squad.

I ran my players as punishment, but I ran with them. I told them just like Eleven told us, “If I pass you, go ahead and pack your locker up and go home.” Knowing good and well Eleven was not going to pass anyone, we ran our punishment as one group and not a bunch of individuals. It brought us together as team and made us better.

Hopefully, that tactic has the same impact on my team at TCC as it did on us at FSU all those years ago.

I could go on and on with stories and life lessons that were passed down by Eleven. Some of them took years for me to realize. Some smacked me right in the face immediately. I just hope that I can have an impact on my TCC players the way Eleven impacted me.

I will be forever grateful for Eleven seeing enough in me to give me the opportunity to play for him and then the opportunity to coach with him. I will cherish my memories with him forever and honor the legacy that he has left behind.

Thank you Eleven!

Editor's note: Bryan Henry played for Mike Martin at FSU from 2005-07, where he was a three-time All-ACC first-team selection and ACC Pitcher of the Year in 2007. Bryan played seven years in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, was a volunteer assistant at FSU and pitching coach at FAMU for eight seasons. Bryan's currently in his second season as the head baseball coach at Tallahassee Community College.

Mike Martin's memorial service information

When: Noon, Saturday

Where: Dick Howser Stadium.

• Parking is free and available in the Flying High Circus and Doak Campbell Stadium lots. Due to construction, the parking lot in front of the Moore Athletic Center is not available.

• The Haggard Plaza gate on the first-base side of Howser Stadium will open at 10:45 a.m. and will be the only entrance for the memorial service. The left field and home plate gates will not be available.

• Guestbooks will be available in Haggard Plaza for signing upon entry.

• Guests need to be seated by 11:45 a.m.

• Per Coach Martin's request, guests are asked to wear 'Seminole casual' and no ties.

• Seating in the grandstands is first-come, first-serve. FSU baseball alumni, former coaches and staff and their families will have reserved seating in sections 5, 6 and 7. The 2024 baseball team will have reserved seating in the lower portion of section 8. Overflow seating will be in the right field bleachers only.

• Coach Martin's memorial service will not be streamed live.

• Concessions will not be operating.

• Fan Day will take place Sunday, February 18 against Butler. Kids in their little league jerseys will get in free and can run the bases postgame. The team will sign autographs following the game.

• The FSU softball game originally scheduled for 12:30 p.m. will now start at 1 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Former player shares memories of legendary FSU baseball coach Mike Martin