There have been many men that have stepped up for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2014 season helping them make their second straight playoff appearance. One man that has been consistent throughout and a staple for this squad is Russell Martin.
When the team signed him prior to the 2013 season, fans questioned his abilities. Martin hit .211 with 21 home runs and 53 RBI in 133 games with the Yankees in 2012 and was thought only as a defensive upgrade to what the Pirates had in Michael McKenry and Rod Barajas.
Martin used the change of scenery from the bigger markets in Los Angeles and New York to reignite his all-around game becoming much more than a defensive upgrade. His pitch framing skills immediately helped the pitching staff become more consistent. His offense came back around making him one of the most clutch pieces of the puzzle and his leadership bonded a group that has become a contender.
“I mean Russ is the heartbeat of the team,” said pitcher Gerrit Cole. “He controls the pitching staff. He really is the leader on all three sides of the baseball. And he’s on the same page obviously with everybody on the staff. I don’t know if I words to describe how much he means to this team. How much he means to this clubhouse. He is a player that doesn’t come around very often. He is a guy that always has your back. He is guy that fights. He never gives up. He plays nine innings every single time.”
This season, Martin posted his second-best offensive year of his career hitting .290/.402/.832 with 20 doubles, 11 home runs and 67 RBI. Had he qualified, Martin would have led National League catchers in OBP (.402) and ranked fourth overall in the majors.
With Martin’s contract up in Pittsburgh and no other free agent catchers with his abilities, he is destined to make a large contract with whoever he signs with. The question is, are the Pirates willing enough to meet his demands with a contract that will break a franchise record?
General manager Neal Huntington and owner Bob Nutting both have made public that they are willing to go beyond their comfort levels to try and keep Martin, but that may not even be enough to keep with the larger market teams like the Dodgers or Cubs. Whoever does sign him will be getting more than just a good catcher. They will be getting a leader.
“[Martin] is an unbelievable person, first of all,” said closer Mark Melancon. “A great teammate. He does unbelievable things on the field, but more so as a person.”
“We’re just going to hold him down here and not let him leave Pittsburgh.”
The fans of Pittsburgh are another group that don’t want to see him leave. There was a instance during the 2013 season where Martin was leaving the PNC Park players parking garage in his vehicle after a night game. As he drove down Mazeroski Way, a group of kids chased after him running down the sidewalk. Martin stopped his car and signed autographs for the kids when he could have kept driving. It’s a place Martin enjoys playing in.
“I’ve had more fun playing baseball here than I’ve had in my whole career,” said Martin. “I’m definately going to keep that in mind when decision time comes.”
After his possible final at bat as a Pirate in the ninth inning of the N.L. Wild Card game, Martin flew out. The crowd still gave him a standing ovation and chanted his name in appreciation of all that he has done during his time in Pittsburgh.
“That was pretty special. Just to get that type of reaction from a crowd, especially when you’re losing a big game,” said Martin. “That was definately one of the coolest moments I’ve had.”
You rarely get a player that has that effect on a team and a fan base as much as Russell Martin does and it should be an easy decision to try all you can to keep a guy like that because in the end, it could make a big difference.
“I don’t know if there are many catchers out there that don’t take a pitch off like he does,” said Cole. “He’s not going to be out toughed. He not going to be out worked. I’m just kind of running out of good things to say about the guy. I think he is a good leader. And whether he comes back here, which obviously I think everybody in this room hope he does. Wherever he may go, he is absolutely deserved it. He absolutely deserves any sum of money any team want to throw at him.”
Pay the man.
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(Photo Credit: Gene J. Puskar)
