Russell Martin News: Pro Sports Daily

Russell Martin dropped to sixth in batting order

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August 10

Los Angeles Times

"Russell Martin wasn't hitting when he batted in front of Manny Ramirez, and moving up a spot into the No. 2-hole didn't change anything, so Dodgers Manager Joe Torre moved his All-Star catcher into the sixth spot in the lineup Saturday. But that didn't help him either. Martin was five for 22 (.227) with five strikeouts over five games with Ramirez hitting behind him. Friday, he was moved to the second spot in the order and was 0 for 4. Saturday, batting in front of Casey Blake, he went 0 for 4 again, with three strikeouts. Torre said he noticed that Martin's swing has looked long. The manager also said the catcher appeared "too ambitious." Asked if that could be the result of anticipating ..."

Dodgers' Martin not ready for deal

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July 16

L.A. Daily News

"Dodgers catcher Russell Martin said before Tuesday night's All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium that his stance hasn't changed on signing a long-term contract that essentially would allow the club to buy him out of arbitration. The Dodgers have made overtures to Martin in the past about locking him up for several years, but he has thus far rejected them on the advice of Bob Garber, his Chicago-based agent. "I don't really even worry about stuff like that," Martin said. "It's not my concern. That's (the agent's) job." Martin is making $500,000 this season, but his salary figures to jump considerably next year if he qualifies for first-year arbitration eligibility after this season"

Beaming with Canadian pride

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July 15

Toronto Sun

"If Ryan Dempster ever injures his arm, he could work at Second City. Dempster was asked at a midtown Manhattan hotel about the fact that in this, the final year of Yankee Stadium, there are three Canadians in the all-star game for the first time. "Well," said Dempster, the Chicago Cubs right-hander from Gibsons, B.C., "we got together in spring training and had a talk. "We decided to try hard this year ... for a change. You know, go out and give 100%. We're all looking forward to getting to the stadium and being able to speak Canadian to one another." Joining Dempster, 10-4, with a 3.25 earned run average, is possible battery mate Russell Martin, a Montrealer catching for the Los ..."

Martin is Dodgers' lone All-Star

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July 7

L.A. Daily News

"Russell Martin won't be a wide-eyed first-timer. He won't be a starter. He won't be among teammates. Despite all that, though, the Dodgers' catcher was just as excited to make his second consecutive National League All-Star team as he had been to make his first. "He was very proud," said Dodgers manager Joe Torre, who delivered the news. "His eyes lit up. Every club has to be represented, and I thought just from the looks of what we have had going on the first half, with (shortstop Rafael) Furcal getting hurt and staying hurt, that (Martin) would be the (logical candidate).""

A starring role for Russell Martin

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July 7

Los Angeles Times

"Russell Martin has never played in Yankee Stadium. He has never visited the ballpark as a spectator or even seen it from the outside. Sunday morning, he learned that he'll be there on July 15 playing in his second All-Star game as the event's only Dodgers representative. "This is my last opportunity," Martin said of Yankee Stadium, which will close at season's end. "There are a lot of people in this game that are never going to have the opportunity to play there. I feel like I'm fortunate." Martin, who was the National League's starting catcher last year, made the team as a reserve. He finished sixth in fan balloting among NL catchers, receiving 1,011,539 votes. ..."

Martin, sporting a new mustache, powers the Dodgers past the Cubs, 7-3

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June 8

Riverside Press Enterprise

"Sporting a new mustache that makes him look nearly as ridiculous as the Dodgers hitters had during the previous two weeks, Russell Martin knew it was going to be a good day when he didn't hit a red light on the way to Dodger Stadium on Saturday. Once he got here, there was no stopping Martin and the offense. Powered by Martin's two-run homer and tie-breaking single, the Dodgers earned a much-needed 7-3 victory over the Cubs."

Russell Martin to be awarded Tip O'Neill Award

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June 3

Globe and Mail

"Russell Martin has been named the 2007 recipient of the Tip O'Neill Award. The Chelsea, Que., native and catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers will be presented the award in a brief pre-game ceremony on ?Canada Night? at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday prior to the Colorado Rockies-Dodgers game. The honour is given annual by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame to the player judged to have excelled in individual achievement and team contribution while adhering to baseball's highest ideals. Justin Morneau of New Westminster, B.C., won the distinction in 2006, while Jason Bay of Trail, B.C., was honoured the two previous years."