Russell Martin bids farewell to Blue Jays fans after retiring in May
TORONTO — Russell Martin’s favorite reminiscence at Rogers Centre is similar as many Toronto Blue Jays‘ followers: Jose Bautista’s notorious bat flip in Sport 5 of the 2015 American League Division Sequence.
“Simply the electrical energy of the gang, you can really feel the bottom trembling and the power was insane,” stated Martin. “That is undoubtedly one second that simply stands out greater than every other.”
Martin added one other memorable second on Friday, throwing out the opening pitch in entrance of a packed Canada Day crowd at Toronto’s ballpark. He formally introduced his retirement from baseball on Might 28 and making an look at Rogers Centre was his alternative to say thanks and farewell to Blue Jays followers.
Earlier than the sport Martin stated he hoped for a “couple of claps, a few laughs” when he got here out to throw the opening pitch. As an alternative, he obtained a rousing standing ovation from the packed ballpark and a tribute video narrated by Bautista that includes messages from a number of former teammates.
He threw the opening pitch to Blue Jays catcher Gabriel Moreno, who wears No. 55 as a tribute to Martin. Mustafa (Moose) Hassan, Toronto’s clubhouse operations supervisor, advised Martin final season that Moreno was going to put on his quantity and linked the 2 catches by cellphone.
“It is superior,” stated Martin. “He gave me a name and I simply advised him there’s numerous numerous hits left in that jersey and I want him the most effective.”
Born in Toronto and raised in Montreal, Martin is among the most completed Canadians to ever play for the Blue Jays. The catcher had a .225 batting common, 66 house runs and 211 runs batted in, in addition to an all-star recreation look, in his 4 seasons with Toronto.
He stated that enjoying in Toronto on Canada Day has a distinct really feel than a typical recreation at Rogers Centre.
“You’re feeling the power of the gang and the gang will get hyped for Canada Day,” stated Martin, sitting within the Blue Jays dugout earlier than the matinee recreation towards the Tampa Bay Rays. “It is particular since you get the purple jerseys and the gang feels such as you’re within the playoffs, despite the fact that it isn’t the playoffs.
“You may have that power that you do not actually do not get in a regular-season recreation.”
Martin started his profession with the Los Aneles Dodgers earlier than transferring on to the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto, after which enjoying one final season again with L.A. He completed his profession with a .248 common, 191 house runs, 771 RBIs, and 4 all-star video games.
He stated that he has typically stopped watching baseball, as a substitute specializing in elevating his youngsters and enjoying golf. When requested if he would possibly come out of retirement and symbolize Canada at a global event just like the 2023 World Baseball Basic, Martin stated it was unlikely.
“I am so off form proper now. As a lot as I might prefer to suppose I may do it, I am not even near being in enjoying form,” he stated with amusing. “I’ve an excessive amount of respect for the blokes that spend numerous time of their low season, they go to work they usually’re in tune.
“They’re like fine-tuned racecars proper now. I am like a beat up Chevy.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed July 1, 2022.
John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press
