St. Marys – In only his second full season in the Major Leagues, Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Russell Martin has been selected as the recipient of the 2007 Tip O’Neill Award, presented annually to the Canadian player judged to have excelled in individual achievement and team contribution while adhering to baseball's highest ideals
While a strong case could have been made for Justin Morneau, Jeff Francis and Erik Bedard, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame announced in November that the 2007 Tip would not be shared. Matt Stairs, Ryan Dempster and Jason Bay weren’t far behind the front-runners in the voting either.
“I’m simply overwhelmed,” said Martin from his Montreal home.
“I’d trade this and my other individual awards for a few more wins and a trip to the post-season, but I do play hard and I play with passion, and obviously people appreciate that.”
Russell, 24, started for the National League in the 2007 All-Star Game, was named by The Sporting News as the NL All-Star Catcher, and was recently awarded both a Golden Glove and a Silver Slugger Award. Larry Walker is the only other Canadian to ever win a Gold Glove (seven times), while Walker (three times) and Morneau (once) are the only previous Canucks to take home a Silver Slugger.
Russell set virtually every Canadian catcher single-season record except triples, highlighted by his 19 homeruns, 87 RBI, 87 runs, 158 hits, 32 doubles, .374 on base percentage (all second on the Dodgers), not to mention his 21 stolen bases (third on the Dodgers). Martin batted .293, had a slugging percentage of .469, and was also nominated for the Hank Aaron Award.
“None are more deserving of this prestigious honour,” chimed in Dodger legend Tommy Lasorda from Los Angeles, who was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.
“I watched this young man switch positions from third base to catcher. I observed all the hard work, effort, desire and sacrifice he put into learning the new position and now he is the best."
Born in East York, Ontario, but raised in Montreal, Martin was originally drafted in the 35th round by the Montreal Expos in the year 2000 upon graduating from Polyvalente Edouard-Montpetit High School, the same high school that former Dodger Eric Gagné attended. Like Gagné, he played for the Academy of Baseball Canada program in his senior year, and then for Team Canada that summer.
Unsigned by the Expos, Martin then attended Chipola Junior College in Florida, where he did not get drafted at all after his first year, but was selected in the 17th round by the Dodgers in the 2002 draft following his second year.
“I played for some great coaches growing up, namely my dad (Russell Sr.), Richard Emond, Alex Agostino, Greg Hamilton, and Jeff Johnson,” Martin said.
“My dad not only taught me the proper skills, but he trained me on how to focus. (Chipola JC) Coach Johnson was a perfectionist, tough but fair. The rest just knew so much and each had their own styles in passing on their experience.”
Russell Martin played at every level in the Dodgers system, beginning with Rookieball, then stops at A, Double-A, and Triple-A on his way to the big leagues.
“I’m just a sponge, and picked up so much valuable knowledge along the way, especially in making the transition from a third baseman to a catcher.”
“Becoming a catcher not only found me a home defensively in pro ball, but it really taught me more about hitting than I could imagine. Working together with pitchers strategizing how to get hitters out gave me a much better approach offensively at the plate.”
“It is the same with stealing bases. I’m not that fast, certainly not a 20-stolen-base guy fast, but catching taught me how to read pitchers and pick the right time to run.”
When asked about his fellow countrymen who he edged to win his first Tip O’Neill Award, Martin had this to say about them:
“Jeff Francis is big-time deceptive, and pitches with complete composure. He is unpredictable and has pinpoint control. He’s smart, has a great feel for the game, and executes his game plan.”
“I don’t get to see Erik Bedard as much because he’s in the American League, but I remember getting a hit off of him in Spring Training – it was like the second hit he’d allowed all Spring! He’s sneaky fast and has good movement. It’s like he throws an invisible fastball.”
“Justin Morneau is the man, an unbelievable competitor, and a total professional. He just keeps getting better, because he won’t accept anything less, and always feels he can do better. His attitude makes him the consummate professional.”
“These three and also Matt Stairs, Ryan Dempster and Jason Bay – they are just all class acts on the baseball field who make me proud to be a Canadian. Anytime my name can be mentioned in the same sentence as them is fine by me!”
Martin couldn’t play for Team Canada in the inaugural World Baseball Classic as he was trying to establish himself as a professional in the Dodgers system, but is already looking forward to suiting up for his nation in 2009.
The Dodgers don’t play in Toronto in 2008, so the Tip O’Neill Award will be presented by the Canadian Ball Hall to Martin early in the 2008 season either at Dodger Stadium or possibly Comerica Park, as the Dodgers are slated to visit the Detroit Tigers for Interleague action in mid-June.
Past winners of the James "Tip" O'Neill Award:
