Russell Martin
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- For the Wycombe Wanderers football player, see Russell Martin (footballer).
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|
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers — No. 55 | |
| Catcher | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
| May 5, 2006 for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through 2006 season) |
|
| AVG | .282 |
| OBP | .355 |
| HR | 10 |
| RBI | 65 |
Russell Nathan Martin Jr. (born February 15, 1983 in East York, Ontario, Canada) is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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[edit] Early life
Martin grew up in Montreal, Québec, Canada. He graduated from Polyvalente Edouard-Montpetit High School which was the same high school attended by former teammate Éric Gagné (though Gagné is 7 years older).
[edit] Career
Martin was drafted by the Dodgers in 2002, in the 17th round, 511th overall. Originally an infielder, he was converted to catcher while in the minor leagues. Although Martin was touted as a future major league player, in early 2005 the Dodgers acquired another developing catcher, Dioner Navarro.
In early 2006, Martin traveled to the off-season home of pitcher Éric Gagné, his teammate and fellow native of Montreal. Martin and Gagné (who was recovering from an injury) worked out together, and Gagné shared some of his experience with the younger catcher. Martin had expressed an interest in playing for Canada in the World Baseball Classic, but Gagné advised him not to let anything get in the way of preparing to play in his first Major League season. Neither player participated in the Classic.
Both Martin and Navarro were invited to spring training in 2006. Both played well, but at the end of the spring Navarro was named the Dodgers' catcher, and Martin was sent to the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s. While Martin thrived in Las Vegas, Navarro played only adequately in Los Angeles, and showed signs of inexperience. On 5 May 2006, Martin was called-up to the Dodgers after a wrist injury landed Navarro on the disabled list. The team has performed well since Martin's arrival; he has played well both offensively and defensively, and he has gained the trust of the pitchers. On June 26, 2006, Navarro was traded to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, a move which was likely made to give Navarro some playing time somewhere else, and additionally, clear the way for Martin to become the Dodgers' permanent catcher.
[edit] Trivia
- On May 7,2006, Martin hit his first major league homerun against the Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Dave Bush.
- On June 6, 2006, Russell Martin and Éric Gagné made baseball history by becoming the first French-Canadian battery in the majors.
- On August 13, 2006, Martin hit his first career walk-off homerun in a victory that completed a sweep of the rival San Francisco Giants.
- On September 18, 2006, Martin hit a solo home run off of Trevor Hoffman, the third of four back to back to back to back home runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to tie the San Diego Padres, it was the first time four home runs have been hit in a row since the 1964 Minnesota Twins.
- On October 4, 2006, Martin officially became only the third catcher in Major League Baseball to lead his team to the playoffs as a rookie.
- Russell Martin is known to Dodger Fans throughout Los Angeles as R-Mart.
- Actor Will Ferrell, nicknamed Russell, Russell "Speed Limit" Martin. Russell wears jersey number 55, the former speed limit on many California freeways.
- Russell Martin full name is RUSSELL NATHAN COLTRANE JEANSON MARTIN JR. Russell is from his father (Russell Martin Sr.), Nathan is from his great-grandfather, Coltrane is also from his dad to pay homage to John Coltrane (jazz saxophonist extraodinaire), and Jeanson is his mother (Suzanne) maiden name.
