Billy Martin, West Palm Beach Stadium, West Palm Beach, Florida

1978

American, born 1947

Billy Martin (1928-1989) was a hero and antihero, often in the same day. As a baseball player, coach, and manager, he was as famous for his off-the -field battles as his on the field victories. He was hired and fired and traded by owners of teams who admired his skills but deplored his manners. A former Yankee pitcher observed, "Lots of people look up to Billy Martin. That's because he just knocked them down." Reporters made the most of his punching sprees, aimed at anyone from a marshmallow salesman to his own pitchers. Most effective as a manager, he led teams to victory and commented, "I've always said I could manage Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Hirohito. That doesn't mean I'd like them, but I'd manage them." This photograph by Stephen Shore shows a rare quiet moment when Billy Martin looks out over the field in a year when his feuds with hitter Reggie Jackson led to many incidents.

Color photograph

10 x 7 15/16 in. (25.4 x 20.2 cm)

Sheet h.: 14 in.

Sheet w.: 11 in.

Gift of the American Telephone and Telegraph Co.

82.34

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Hero/Antihero", December 21, 2002 - August 17, 2003 (12/21/2002 - 8/17/2003)

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