Marty Hendin was a baseball executive who worked in various marketing, public relations, and community relations posts for the St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...

 of Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...

. Inducted into the University of Missouri-St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2003, Hendin began his career with the Cardinals in 1973.

Early years

Hendin was born to his parents Pearl and Sholom on March 16, 1948. After graduating from University City High School in 1966, Hendin moved on to attend the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Hendin was the first sportswriter on staff of the UMSL student newspaper The Current, later rising to become the Sports Editor. He also made his mark at UMSL by founding the University's first spirit club, known as "The Steamers".

Known for an innovative focus on capturing the attention of younger baseball fans, Hendin is credited with helping spur the popularity of team mascot Fredbird

Fredbird

Fredbird is the official mascot for the St. Louis Cardinals major league baseball team. He is an anthropomorphic cardinal wearing the team's uniform.  Fredbird can always be found entertaining young children during baseball games at Busch Stadium...

. Commenting on the creation of Fredbird, Hendin said,
Hendin also gained notarity for a unique collection of Cardinal and baseball memorabilia in his office at Busch Memorial Stadium

Busch Memorial Stadium

Busch Memorial Stadium, also known as Busch Stadium, was a multi-purpose sports facility in St. Louis, Missouri that operated from 1966 to 2005....

 that was dubbed "Trinket City." A portion of Hendin's extensive 33 year memorabilia collection is currently on display in the UMSL Student Center.

Honors

Hendin was inducted into the University of Missouri-St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 under the category of distinguished service for his, "work and dedication to the UMSL Athletic Department."