Born in Columbia, South Carolina, he threw and batted right-handed and was listed as 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall and 170 pounds (77 kg).

He was then acquired by Cincinnati sometime during the 1951 season, and posted a 23–7 record, 2.13 ERA, and a Sally League-leading 174 strikeouts for the Columbia Reds, who played in Martin's home town, in 1952.

On April 22, the sixth game of the regular season, the Redlegs was already losing 6-2 to the St. Louis Cardinals with Stan Musial set to lead off the seventh inning, when manager Rogers Hornsby summoned Martin to relieve Bud Podbielan.

After retiring the next two batters, it appeared Martin would escape with just the one run scored; however, Red Schoendienst followed with a double to drive in Rice, and bring Musial back to the plate.

[3] A year later, the Phillies signed older brother Jerry, an outfielder, as an undrafted free agent.