 At age 34 he was acquired by the Yankees from the minor-league version of the Milwaukee Brewers and appeared in 202 games for the Bombers during the World War II manpower shortage.In 1948, as the playing manager of the Class C Albuquerque Dukes of the West Texas–New Mexico League, Martin batted .425 with 61 doubles and 128 runs batted in.The following seasons, he hit .376 and .389.