FSU baseball will honor Mike Martin Sr.’s #11 in a unique way

Florida State baseball announced on Monday that Mike Martin Sr.’s famous #11 will be retired at Dick Howser Stadium on opening day. The #11 will be unveiled in left field next to Dick Howser’s #34 and JD Drew’s #39. Senior is the winningest coach in NCAA history, retiring with 2,029 wins in 40 years.

Mike Martin Jr. also announced today that they’ll keep the number on the field in a unique way. “Jersey number 11 will be reserved for special guys who have given their heart and soul to Florida State University and this baseball program and there may be years when no one wears the jersey.”

Redshirt senior Captain Chase Haney will be the first to receive the honor. On the honor, Haney said, “I’m beyond honored that ‘11’ would allow me to wear this number and that Mike Martin Jr. would think of me to start this great tradition. Coach Martin created such a legacy at Florida State and in college baseball so wearing his Number 11 is something I will do with great pride.”

Junior said of the new #11, “Chase embodies what ‘11’ stood for – hard work, treating people with respect and doing the right thing on and off the field while showing a genuine love for Florida State University.”

Haney was at FSU for Senior’s last four years before his retirement. 11 knows the player and person Haney is, and knows he’ll uphold the standard of wearing that number.

On Haney, “I’ve been impressed with a number of athletes during my 45 years with Seminole baseball and never found a player with more leadership skills than Chase Haney. Many times, a pitcher is more concerned with his own success, but Chase’s influence and authority of the clubhouse always put the team first and he deserves all the accolades he has received in his outstanding career.”