Russell Martin Celebrates 43rd Birthday
Drafted by the Dodgers in the 17th round of 2002, Martin made his MLB debut in 2006. By 2014, he played for three different teams in the league and had participated in the playoffs seven times—establishing a reputation as a winning player, especially notable for a catcher.
Unexpected Signing with the Blue Jays
In 2014, the Blue Jays already had an capable catcher in Dioner Navarro, who posted a .274/.317/.395 batting line and was set to return in 2015. Most observers anticipated the team would focus their offseason efforts elsewhere, but general manager Alex Anthopoulos caught everyone off guard by signing Martin.
Contract Details and Team Changes
Martin agreed to a five-year, $82 million deal, which was structured to pay him $7 million in 2015, followed by $15 million and $20 million in the subsequent years. His signing announcement emphasized leadership and team culture. Shortly afterwards, the team made other significant moves, including acquiring Josh Donaldson and trading Adam Lind for Marco Estrada.
Fan Reactions and Spring Training Memories
The decision to sign Martin sparked discussions among fans. Although locking in a 32-year-old catcher for five years carries inherent risks, the majority of fans were pleased to have a Canadian player on the roster. A poll indicated that 66% favored the signing.
Performance Highlights
During the 2015 season, Martin hit .240/.329/.458 with a career-high 23 home runs, achieving a 3.2 bWAR. He made his fourth and final All-Star appearance while successfully throwing out 44% of base stealers. In the playoffs, he faced difficulties at the plate while being part of one of the most chaotic moments in playoff history, involving an errant throw during Game 5 of the ALDS.
Struggles and Adjustments
However, Martin’s subsequent seasons saw declining offensive statistics, with a .231/.335/.398 line in 2016 and .221/.343/.388 in 2017. Injury concerns began to mount, and his caught-stealing percentage dropped significantly, though he remained an important defensive player. In 2018, he caught only 71 games, signaling a shift in his role on the team.
Other Birthdays Today
Today is also the 49th birthday of Álex González, who played briefly for the Jays, noted as “Sea Bass.” Meanwhile, Elvis Luciano turns 26. Notably, he was the Jays’ Rule 5 draft pick in 2019, making his mark on the team before spending time in Japan the last couple of years.
