Catching a Break: Russell Martin Comes Home
When Russell Martin signed with the Blue Jays this off-season, Toronto sports writers wet their pants a little. Martin and the Blue Jays were made for each other. The narrative was perfect. It wrote itself.
Here it is, in a nutshell: Russell Martin is a Canadian success story. He was born in a Toronto suburb and spent his formative years in Montreal, cheering on the hometown Expos. He’s fluently bilingual (it also helps that he spent some of his childhood in Paris). And, more importantly, he’s a three-time All-Star (twice in the National League with the Los Angeles Dodgers, once in the American League with the New York Yankees), a Gold Glove- and Silver Slugger-winner, a nine-year veteran with a proven track record. He likes to win. And he’s finally coming home.
“I’m a competitor. It’s about being in battle. And I think that’s why I’ve had success.”
His signing was a big deal for the Blue Jays. It’s now been more than 20 years since the team won its last World Series title — or even made the playoffs. With Kansas City’s miraculous post-season birth last year, that’s the longest drought in the entirety of Major League Baseball. It’s not that the Jays have been bad, exactly. Just middling. Perennial non-contenders in a tough division in a tough league. There have been glimmers of hope — major off-season deals, a parade of stars, brief flashes of brilliance followed by long stretches of sloppiness — all of which have faded, fast.
That’s why the Blue Jays shelled out $82-million over five years to get Martin — the largest contract the team has offered since locking down star outfielder Jose Bautista, and the second-largest contract in team history. To save face, to save fans, to save the future of Canadian baseball, the Jays needed to make a splash. Russell Martin, prodigal son, isn’t just that splash — he could be a freaking tsunami in Toronto, if all goes well.
Then again, it’s Toronto. Remember Vernon Wells? B.J. Ryan? How about Reyes, Buehrle, Dickey, et. al.? When does all ever go well, or even according to plan?
