'MLB Network Presents' examines Martin's life
30th installment of show airs tonight at 8 p.m. ET
Throughout his career, Billy Martin was one of baseball's most erratic figures -- a fiery, repeatedly successful manager who moved from job to job amid fraying relationships and personal troubles.
Fans will get to take a closer look into the man on Thursday, with the airing of "MLB Network Presents: Billy." The documentary will air at 8 p.m. ET on MLB Network, and it is the 30th installment in the Emmy-nominated "MLB Network Presents" series.
Released 40 years after Martin's 1977 World Series championship as the Yankees' manager, the documentary aims to look deeply into Martin's life. It will detail both what made the man successful as a manager and what caused his personal struggles and heartbreak. It will also take a close look at the car accident that killed Martin on Christmas in 1989, retracing his route home before the crash.
For the documentary, MLB Network interviewed many of Martin's players and colleagues, including Rod Carew, Rickey Henderson, Reggie Jackson and Tony La Russa. To shine a light on his personal life, Martin's son, Billy Jr.; his ex-wife, Gretchen Martin Creswell; his widow, Jill Martin; and his former agent, Eddie Sapir, were also interviewed.
According to MLB Network, many discussed how Martin's personal troubles undermined his brilliance as a manager, including a rocky relationship with George Steinbrenner that led to Martin's five stints as the Yanks' manager.