Martin E. Appel, is an American public relations executive and author. Appel graduated from SUNY Oneonta in 1970 with a degree in political science. He began his career in baseball while a student after writing to then-Yankee public relations chief Bob Fishel. Appel began his tenure with the New York Yankees handling fan mail for Mickey Mantle. He was named PR Director of the team in 1973. After resigning in 1977 and starting a sports management company, Appel joined World Team Tennis to do PR for the New York Apples, featuring Billie Jean King and Vitas Gerulaitis. When the league folded, he joined the staff of Bowie Kuhn. While serving as VP for Public Relations for WPIX, he won an Emmy as the executive producer of Yankee telecasts; he also produced pre-season football telecasts for the New York Giants and New York Jets. Appel has also worked for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games and The Topps Company. Appel has written 18 books, including a biography of King Kelly, and children's biographies of Yogi Berra and Joe DiMaggio. 

August 7th, 1948 in Brooklyn (Age 76)