Pete Martini, a longtime sports reporter for the Statesman Journal who spoke publicly in early 2021 about his cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan, successes and setbacks, died Tuesday. He was 43 years old.
Martini frequently posted facts on his Facebook page and X (formerly Twitter), sent notes to colleagues, and gave interviews with sportswriters and radio shows about “my fight with cancer.” Although he admitted to being overwhelmed, he remained optimistic.
Colleagues and readers will ask why he is still working. Pete didn’t like athletes taking vacations when they were playing. He loved sharing their stories and loved the people he worked with.
Even when he was unable to leave the house, he continued to report and enjoyed discussing topics such as the prospects of high school quarterbacks, his favorite muscle car, and the quality of high school sports coaches.
The journalists he worked with praised his encouragement and outreach to their work, a testament to his influence in their lives and careers.
“Pete’s passion for covering Mid-Valley high school sports was evident,” said Jonathan Williams, Daily News and Sports Editor of the Statesman, adding, “He loved his community. He will be greatly missed by his colleagues, readers and the countless athletes he covered.”
Martini grew up in Salem and graduated from Sprague High School, There he played soccer under coaches such as Cary Hadden and Robin Hill. After graduating from the University of Oregon and serving as his sports writer for the Emerald newspaper, the Daily Statesman in the summer of 2001 he worked as an intern at the Journal.
His first job out of college was covering public safety for the Klamath Falls Herald and News, then moved on to covering Klamath Falls sports, then becoming sports editor.
He returned to Salem in 2006 as sports copy editor for the Statesman Journal and a few years later transitioned into sports reporting for the Silverton and Stayton areas. He served as a sports producer from his 2012 to his 2015, covering high school and college sports since then.
His final byline was published on Monday.
Martini is survived by his father Russell Martini of Salem, sister Christine Jorgenson, brother-in-law Andrew Jorgensen, nephew Ashton Jorgenson, and niece Addison Jorgenson, all of Kelso, Wash. .
Contact Statesman Journal Executive Editor Cheryl Crosby at crosbyc@statesmanjournal.com.