Martin Gordon (baseball)
Martin Gordon is a member of the South African National Baseball Team. He attended Desert Vista High School for 4 years, and was recruited to play baseball at Glendale Community College (Arizona). He transferred to Francis Marion University (South Carolina) after his two years at Glendale.[1]
Background
Gordon was born June 13, 1988 in Potchefstroom, South Africa. He was raised in a family of athletes. His father, Mickey Gordon, played field hockey for Free State, Southern Gauteng, and South Africa Schools. He also played cricket for the provinces of Free State, and North West. His mother, Elrie, played field hockey for North West as well.
High school
Desert Vista High School
Gordon was a 2 year varsity starter in center field for head coach Stan Luketich. He was an important part of the 2005 Desert Vista team who spent the whole season under the radar, and eventually lost in the Arizona 5A semi-finals against a very talented Horizon High School. Gordon set a school record by going 68 straight at-bats without a strikeout.
His senior year he was invited to play in the North vs. South, Arizona 5A All Star Game. He was second-team All-State in his senior season.
College & University
Glendale Community College
After high school, Gordon was recruited by Paul Hatcher, the assistant coach at GCC.
In 2007 as a freshman he hit .349 and stole 24 bases in 27 tries for the Gauchos, and was one of three outfielders in the nation to earn Rawlings Gold Glove honors.
In 2008, he hit .324 and went 22-for-26 in stolen bases.
Francis Marion University
In 2008, Gordon was recruited to play for head coach Art Inabinent for the FMU Patriots. Gordon is currently enrolled at FMU with the baseball season well under way.
International Competition
2007 Baseball World Cup
In the 2007, Gordon was asked to play in the 2007 Baseball World Cup in Taiwan, where he was the main center fielder for the South African national team. He went 9 for 27 to lead South Africa in average. Only Brett Willemburg and Warren Herman (the latter in limited action) joined Gordon to hit over .300 for South Africa's club. Gordon handled all 10 chances in center flawlessly in 6 games there; he also played one at DH and a couple innings in left field.
2009 World Baseball Classic
Gordon was asked to play for the National Team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
In a pre-tournament game against the Los Angeles Angels, Gordon went 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.
In game one of the tournament, Gordon went 0 for 4, but scored the only run in an 8-1 loss against Cuba.
In game two against Mexico, Gordon went 1 for 3, with a single off of Major League Pitcher Rodrigo Lopez.