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Russell Martin News & Rumors

Russell Martin touts the addition of Hiroki Kuroda to Bombers rotation
February 8
New York Daily News
 
"Russell Martin calls it his "mental hard drive." Stored on it is a lot of footage of the Yankees catcher's old Dodger teammate, Hiroki Kuroda, and how the righty's split-finger fastball plummets and how the short break on Kuroda's slider elicits weak contact. Also tucked in there is a memorable moment from Kuroda's first spring training in the majors, 2008, when the quiet newcomer donned full Elvis Presley regalia, including sideburns and a wig, for some rookie hazing that had an "American Idol" theme."
Yankees consider Martin for long-term deal
December 13
New York Post
 
"A borderline Hall of Famer and developing Yankees icon is in the not-so-distant past. The "Next Big Thing'' leads a group of catchers lurking ahead. Say hello to Russell Martin's world. Having already capably replaced Jorge Posada and knowing that if Jesus Montero proves he can hit and catch the Yankees will have to make room for him behind the plate, Martin is in the middle — though it's not a bad spot. The Yankees tendered Martin, who will turn 29 in February, a contract for 2012 last night and have entertained thoughts of negotiating a multi-year deal with him before the start of the season."
Martin's aim is a Bronx return
October 12
New York Post
 
"If Russell Martin has his way, he will be back behind the plate for the Yankees next year, catching CC Sabathia. But neither player is guaranteed to return to The Bronx in 2012. "There's no question that I want him on my team," Martin said of Sabathia, who can opt out of his contract this offseason. "He's an ace. They're hard to come by. . . . But he's got to make his own decisions." Martin said he hopes Sabathia and the Yankees decide to stay together. "For being a power guy, he's pretty crafty, so to have both of those qualities of being able to pick your corners and really pitch and have good stuff, that's a combination you don't see very often," Martin said as he drove out of The"
Martin excels behind plate for Yankees
October 2
New York Post
 
"The Yankees are planning on using Russell Martin as much as possible in these playoffs. But with the catcher reaching up to grab Derek Jeter's relay throw from Curtis Granderson in the fifth inning, it looked like Alex Avila had a chance to change those plans. "It could have been ugly," Martin said of the play that kept the score tied in the Yankees' 9-3 win in Game 1 of the ALDS last night at the Stadium. "I just held onto it long enough. If he hit me harder, he could have knocked it out." Instead, Martin held on, made the tag and the Yankees responded by erupting for six runs in the bottom of the sixth to put the game away."
Russell Martin ejected for making joke to umpire; Joe Girardi unhappy with playoff schedule
September 27
New York Daily News
 
"Russell Martin's stand-up comedy career appears to have been a one-night affair. Martin thought he was cracking a harmless joke at home-plate umpire Paul Schrieber in the fifth inning Monday night, but the ump didn't find much humor in it, ejecting the catcher from the game. "I asked if he had stretched before the game; then I asked him again," Martin said. "He looked at me kind of funny and I said, 'I feel like you're kind of tight right now.' He tossed me. He just threw me out of the game. I was like, what happened? I thought this was fun. I thought this was a game, you know?""
A.J. Burnett, Russell Martin lift Yankees to 4-2 win
September 2
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The conversation began about a week ago. Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild figured it had to happen eventually, but the opening only came after A.J. Burnett took his latest shelling, leaving the right-hander in a fight for his own job. To Rothschild, the conditions were just right to propose a change. "There's moments that are coachable and there's moments that aren't," Rothschild said tonight. "He had struggled and he was frustrated, and (wanted) something to hang onto, to run with. Hopefully, we just progress with it.""
Russell Martin hit, Curtis Granderson catch help Yankees take series from Red Sox; Burnett not bad
September 2
New York Daily News
 
"Has a team ever been more excited about its starting pitcher taking a no-decision? A.J. Burnett gave the Yankees a solid performance against the Red Sox, allowing the Bombers to pull out a 4-2 come-from-behind win at Fenway Park last night. The Yankees took two of three this week, marking their first series win in five tries this season against the Red Sox. "Coming into their place and taking two games," Nick Swisher said, "that's a big deal." The Yankees won for only the fourth time in 15 games against the Red Sox this season, yet the two clubs are tied in the loss column, separated by only a half-game in the American League East with less than four weeks to play in the regular season."
Martin's 2-run double lifts Yanks over Red Sox 4-2
September 2
New York Post
 
"Mariano Rivera struck out Adrian Gonzalez with the bases loaded for the final out and Russell Martin hit a go-ahead double in the seventh inning that sent the Yankees past the Red Sox 4-2 Thursday night despite stranding 12 runners in the first six innings. The lack of clutch hitting cost A.J. Burnett a potential victory as he began September with a solid performance after a horrible August in which he was 1-2 with an 11.91 ERA in five starts. In this one, he gave up two runs and five hits in 5 1-3 innings."
Russell Martin stars with two home runs in blowout victory over Athletics
August 26
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Up to this point in the season, Russell Martin's greatest contribution to the Yankees was behind the plate. He had mastered his role in providing guidance to the pitching staff as a signal caller well enough that his wilting offensive production was overlooked by the team. But today he brought the limelight on himself with his hitting and power. Martin homered twice, drove in six runs and provided the punch that helped the Yankees overcome a six-run deficit on the way to a 22-9 victory over the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium. His five hits and six RBI were both career highs. He hit a grand slam in the sixth inning that gave the Yankees a 10-7 lead after trailing 7-1 at one point. He"
Yankees hit MLB-record 3 grand slams, top A's, 22-9
August 26
New York Daily News
 
"When he got back to the dugout in the eighth inning after hitting the Yankees' third grand slam Thursday, Curtis Granderson peered around a few celebrating teammates to look at the improbable statistic flashing on the Stadium scoreboard that stated the Yanks had just become the first team in history to slug three slams in one game. When he saw it, Granderson had the same reaction several other Yankees did: "Oh, wow!" "This game has been played for a long time, pretty much everything has already happened," added Russell Martin, who hit slam No. 2 in the sixth. "I'm waiting to see who hits four. I don't know if it'll ever happen, we'll see. But three is pretty cool." The Yankees' slam-a-thon"
Yankees' Russell Martin makes signal calling a work of art
August 23
Newark Star-Ledger
 columnist Jeff Bradley
"It was not Cliff Lee, so on the day last December when the Yankees announced they had signed Russell Martin to a one-year contract worth $4 million, the reaction among Yankee fans was one big collective yawn. It's not that Martin was not a good catcher. He had been, in fact, a two-time All-Star for the Los Angeles Dodgers not long ago. But there were a few reasons why his signing was not regarded as a big deal. The first was that Martin had been non-tendered by the Dodgers, due to a hip problem that was believed to have caused a decline in his offensive game. Second, many figured he was just keeping the spot warm for prospect Jesus Montero. And, finally, Yankee fans sometimes take a while"
Jays accused of stealing signs
July 16
Toronto Sun
 
"New York Yankees catcher Russell Martin said the Blue Jays are dirty, thievin' rats. Martin claims the Jays were stealing signs from second base in Thursday's 16-7 drubbing of New York "You move your head one way it's a fastball, you move your head the other way it's a slider," Martin told reporters. "It's just an easier game when you know what's coming," Not that Martin, in the fine tradition of baseball, might not have tried the same thing. Stealing signs is the game's dark science. Everybody tries to do it, few admit they do it, and fewer become experts at doing it. "I'm unaware of us stealing signs, or relaying location from second base," said Jays manager John Farrell. But, then, he's"
Derek Jeter gives Yankees teammates such as Russell Martin, fans, family a moment to remember
July 10
New York Daily News
 columnist Phil Coffey
"Maybe you heard the news. Russell Martin had his 689th career hit Saturday. It came in the bottom of the third at a sold-out Stadium. It drove in a run and gave the Yankees the lead, and Martin will always remember it, not so much because it was a hard single off of a good pitcher named David Price, but because of what came three batters before, when a man from Kalamazoo launched a ball over the State Farm sign into the left-field bleachers, the wait finally over, the history finally made, the Yankee captain finally free of the fuss and fanfare that he enjoys a whole lot less than playing baseball. It's hard to do something that has never been done before for a franchise that has been"
Stars and snubs for the Yanks
July 4
New York Post
 
"The Yankees had a half-dozen representatives named to the All-Star team yesterday, including starters Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano and injured Derek Jeter. And they could've had more. CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and David Robertson were snubbed from the June 12 game in Phoenix. C Russell Martin and closer Mariano Rivera were named to the American League team as reserves, and Joe Girardi said he has no problems with Jeter -- expected back in the lineup tonight -- playing. But the biggest shock was the omission of Sabathia, who has a 3.05 ERA and is tied for the major league lead in wins with 11. AL manager Ron Washington, whose Rangers beat the Yankees in last year's"
Martin, Posada homer as Yankees bash Brewers
June 30
New York Post
 
"With talk of realignment in the air, maybe the Yankees should petition to move to the National League. The Yankees continued their dominance against the Senior Circuit in last night's 5-2 victory over the Brewers in front of 46,450 fans at Yankee Stadium. The win was the Yankees second straight against the Brewers, and moved the Yankees to 10-4 in interleague play this season, the second best mark in baseball behind the Angels. The win also clinched their 12th straight season of a winning record versus the NL. The Bombers own a 154-106 record all-time in interleague games, the best mark in baseball. "We've just been in a streak where we've played really good baseball," Yankees manager Joe"
Fresh off Buster Posey controversy, Yankees' Russell Martin crushed at home plate - and gets the out
June 19
New York Daily News
 columnist John Harper
"Russell Martin was fresh off a back injury that kept him out of the lineup much of the last week, and yet the last couple of days he was getting itchy because he hadn't been hit in awhile. "Earlier today I was just telling (Nick) Swisher, 'I'm getting bored back there,' " Martin said in the visitors' clubhouse Saturday night. "I said, 'I haven't had a play in a while. I need one.'" You might be tempted to say be careful what you wish for after Martin took a broadside blast from Carlos Peña at the plate Saturday in what proved to be the key play in the Yankees' 4-3 victory over the Cubs. Except the Yankee catcher was all smiles afterward - practically thankful for the hit. "The collision"
Martin not smarting
June 17
Bergen Record
 
"Catcher Russell Martin (back) returned to the lineup after missing seven of the last eight games and made an immediate impact, singling home the Yankees' first run and throwing out two would-be base stealers. He finished 2-for-4, snapping a previous 2-for-31 slump. "My back is now pretty much a non-issue for me as long as I just take care of it before the games," Martin said. "Right now there's no stiffness; there's nothing. I expect to be good [today]." As for those waiting for prospect Jesus Montero to be called up, general manager Brian Cashman has no plans to make that happen in the near future. "If Montero comes, I want him to come to play," Cashman said. "I don't want him to come to"
Yankees could put Martin on DL
June 14
New York Post
 
"A few hours before last night's 1-0 loss to the Indians, Russell Martin sounded optimistic about his aching back. "It will be fine," the Yankees catcher said. "I can tell. It's something I'll play through." His tone must have changed because 90 minutes later, the Yankees announced Martin was scratched from the lineup with back stiffness, with Francisco Cervelli taking his place as the starting catcher. By the end of the night, Martin's injury was the secondary concern behind Derek Jeter's sore right calf. But the Yankees have to be getting concerned with the back problem Martin can't shake, and a trip to the disabled list has to be considered. The 28-year-old had missed four consecutive"
Yankees' Russell Martin sits out with stiffness in lower back
June 14
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Yankees catcher Russell Martin, who made his first start Sunday after a four-day stint away with back problems, was a late scratch from the team's lineup last night and was replaced by Francisco Cervelli. The team announced that Martin had "lower back stiffness." In Sunday's game, Martin went 0-for-4 while the Indians stole five bases on him. Though the steals were in part due to starter Freddy Garcia's slower delivery, it was enough to prompt questions about his comfort level behind the plate. "I mean, it's still there a little bit. It's something I can play with. I can run, throw, hit, even though I didn't hit today," Martin said on Sunday. "I can do enough to get the job done." Manager"
Martin struggles to shake off rust
June 13
New York Post
 
"Russell Martin's return to the lineup yesterday was brutal, and his recent performance combined with his physical condition is becoming distressing. Martin had missed four games with a sore back, but the Yankees catcher felt fine in pregame work yesterday and thus was in the starting lineup. While he deserves credit for catching Freddy Garcia's gem in the Bombers' 9-1 win over the Indians, the backstop suffered through one of the worst games imaginable. Martin went 0-for-4 with a strikeout and two inning-ending double plays, one with the bases loaded. He made six outs in four at-bats. Defensively, the Indians were 5-for-5 on stolen bases. "He looked OK. He looked a little rusty," manager"
Ailing Martin says back is improving
June 11
Bergen Record
 
"Catcher Russell Martin remained out of the lineup for a third straight game due to lower back stiffness, though he's shooting for a Sunday return. "We'll see what happens when I hit and throw [today]," said Martin, who hadn't played since Tuesday. Martin reported improvement, but he still felt "a little bit of discomfort." An MRI on Thursday came back clean. Manager Joe Girardi still believes the club is fine with just catcher Francisco Cervelli, since Jorge Posada is available as an emergency catcher only. "It'd be different if we didn't have Jorge," Girardi said. Posada has not appeared behind the plate this season. "My hope is he hasn't forgotten." Earlier Friday, Girardi and bench"
Still-sore Martin can't make it 'back
June 10
New York Post
 
"Russell Martin's back still was barking when he woke up yesterday morning, so the Yankees catcher went for an MRI exam that revealed no structural damage. After going through another day of treatment, Martin said the back felt a little better before last night's game with the Red Sox, but he still could not play for the second straight night. The Yankees training staff told Martin they believe he has a slight strain in the back. Other than treatment, the only thing Martin can do is wait. "Right now, I'm just taking it day to day and see what happens," Martin said. "I really don't know. Maybe I wake up [today] and feel great. If I feel great [today] I don't see why I couldn't play.""
Russell Martin sits out with bad back
June 9
New York Post
 
"The Yankees' primary injury concern was on the mound yesterday, but they also have some trouble behind the plate. Russell Martin did not play last night because of a balky back. This came at the same time the Yankees were dealing with Joba Chamberlain's forearm injury, which sent him to the 15-day disabled list. Martin injured the back after Tuesday's loss to the Red Sox during a postgame workout. Martin was doing dead lifts when he felt something in his back after the first repetition. "I just felt some discomfort so I stopped it," Martin said. "From then on, it hasn't been feeling right." Girardi turned to Francisco Cervelli to start last night, and he had a good night with the bat, but"
Russell Martin is one who got away
June 4
Los Angeles Times
 columnist Bill Dwyre
"Russell Martin is in town, and his presence triggers thoughts of a movie. "Escape From Alcatraz." Martin is a Yankee now. When he gets in his crouch behind the plate these days, it is in the uniform of Ruth and Gehrig, not Koufax and Reese. Say it ain't so, Joe. Martin was the Dodgers' All-Star catcher in 2007-'08. Many considered him to be the best at his position in baseball in those seasons. He was a homegrown Dodgers draftee, part of the core built by the Dodgers minor league organization to take the fabled team to successes well into the second decade of this century. He was humble, personable, hard-working. He was a catcher who could hit for power and steal bases. The fans loved him."
Dinged-up Martin playing through pain
June 2
New York Post
 
"The Yankees were so concerned about Russell Martin's bruised left big toe that they sent the catcher for a MRI exam Tuesday. Luckily, it didn't reveal structural damage. Martin, who didn't play Sunday or Monday, was in the lineup yesterday for the second-straight game and a day deal after a night game. Martin went 0-for-3 in the 4-2 Yankees win and is hitless in seven at-bats since sitting out two games. He is also in a 0-for-16 slide. "You would think it would be better. Play [yesterday] and get [today] off and it should be better after that," manager Joe Girardi said. "He has a sore toe, there is no doubt about it." Trainer Gene Monahan added padding to Martin's shoe that already"
Sore toe keeps Martin sidelined
May 31
New York Post
 
"Russell Martin, who was in Joe Girardi's original lineup yesterday, was scratched during batting practice because of lingering soreness in his left big toe. Francisco Cervelli caught Bartolo Colon's four-hit complete-game in the Yankees' 5-0 win over the Athletics while Martin, who fouled a ball off the toe in the third inning Saturday night in Seattle, missed a second straight game."
Yankees scratch Russell Martin from starting lineup against A's
May 31
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Russell Martin fouled a ball off his left big toe on Saturday night. On Sunday, with a day game following a night game, he found himself out of the lineup partly to rest the foot. On Monday, he was scratched, even though he told Yankees manager Joe Girardi before the game that he was fine. The move sounds more precautionary than anything else. Meanwhile, right-hander Phil Hughes likely won't be ready to return until July, though Girardi wouldn't rule out a return before the All-Star Break. "He's going to need multiple starts before he can help you," Girardi said. "So, we're not to that point.""
Russell Martin is having time of his life in the Bronx
May 9
Bergen Record
 
"Last year on Mother's Day, Russell Martin hadn't gotten his mom, Susanne, a present in advance, so he did the next best thing. He hit a home run and said it was all for her. She was at the Stadium last month to see her son's first home run as a Yankee. "I always seem to hit a home run when she's around," Martin said. "I've got to bring her out to the park more often." She was home in Montreal on Sunday; her son hasn't had to fly her around the American League to maintain his solid spring. Martin passed his home run total from last year with the Dodgers when he belted his sixth on April 23 (he hit two at Baltimore). Suddenly, Martin felt like the kid who used to dominate during the short"
Brian Cashman found diamonds in the rough in Russell Martin, Bartolo Colon, Eric Chavez
May 1
New York Daily News
 columnist Filip Bondy
"Considering the unmitigated disaster that was supposed to be this past offseason, Brian Cashman may be having the best run of his career. It's early yet and the schedule has been generous. But the Yankees won another game Saturday powered by their unglamorous cogs, and many of the GM's ad-libs are keeping the Bombers atop the AL East. "I cobble well," Cashman was saying. "When I fix things on the run I have a lot more success than doing the obvious slam-dunk things. The slam-dunk things are supposed to work out, everybody expects them to work, and they have the opposite effect. The low-end stuff, the low-risk, there can be high-reward." A winter of desperation has somehow turned into a"
Martin quite the catch for New York
April 24
Orange County Register
 
"With his first home run of the night, Russell Martin equaled last year's total of five. On the same swing, the Yankees' new and revitalized catcher drove in runs number 12 and 13, putting him halfway to his 2010 number. On April 23. With his second homer of the night – which left him second on the club to Alex Rodriguez's seven – Martin plated runs 14 and 15, to go along with his glossy .333 batting average and 410 OBP. And he's all over the diamond with the same athleticism we knew and loved about him when he was in Los Angeles. Look, Coltrane is not going to hit .333 for a full season, nor is he going to continue the pace toward 48 homers and 143 RBIs, but he's going to have a fine"
Martin ticked off after plunking
April 24
New York Post
 
"Russell Martin went directly to the weight room after last night's 15-3 Yankees victory over the Orioles. Maybe he's getting ready for a fight. Martin was not pleased with Orioles pitcher Josh Rupe, who hit him in the back with a 91 mile per hour fastball in the ninth inning. Martin angrily threw his bat away and stared at Rupe as he made his way to first base. The hit by pitch came after Martin drilled two home runs against the Orioles, making everyone in Camden Yards think it was intentional. "There's no doubt about it," Martin said of Rupe's intent. "I want to stay in the lineup so I'm not going to do anything stupid, but I wouldn't recommend him doing that again." Rupe, who is in his"
Yank's Martin has a ball in Canada
April 20
The Globe and Mail
 
"The former all-star was returning to his home country for the first time since he became the starting catcher for the New York Yankees and Russell Martin said it is a feeling that never gets old. "It reminds me of the memories back in the day, just watching Joe Carter hit the home run against the Phillies," Martin said before Tuesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. "But there's a different feeling when you cross the border into Canada. "It feels homey." Complementing those good vibes is the fact that Martin, if the early returns are to be believed, is exhibiting signs that he's regaining the form of a few years back when he was considered one of the best all-round catchers in"
Martin is catching on fast
April 10
New York Post
 
"A few hours before yesterday's Yankees-Red Sox game, Curtis Granderson asked Russell Martin, "You catching today?" Silly question. Martin has caught every game the Yankees have played this season, and has made general manager Brian Cashman's decision to sign him in December look brilliant. Martin hit two home runs yesterday and drove in four runs to tie his career high in the Yankees' 9-4 victory. The 28-year-old, cast aside by the Dodgers, is hitting .321 with three homers and eight RBIs. He has embraced his second act as a Yankee. "That's my goal is to play as well as I possibly can," Martin said. "I'm not old by any means. I feel good. I finally feel healthy, strong and ready to"
Martin leads Yankees over Red Sox
April 10
New York Post
 
"Get ready to embrace the recipe the Yankees used yesterday to punish the reeling Red Sox. You appreciate victories fueled by pitching? This pew isn't for you. But those who receive pleasure from hitting festivals, get comfortable, because the Yankees' muscle frequently will be asked to rescue a suspect rotation. On a perfect Fenway Park day, Ivan Nova required a life jacket to avoid drowning. Thanks to Russell Martin, Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson and Eric Chavez, however, Nova didn't sink before the Yankees posted a 9-4 victory that was witnessed by 37,488 and played under a brilliant blue sky and a first-pitch temperature of 57 degrees. Martin homered twice and drove in four runs."
Russell Martin slugs two home runs, bullpen rescues Ivan Nova as Yankees beat Boston Red Sox, 9-4
April 10
New York Daily News
 
"Russell Martin's decision between the Yankees and Red Sox this winter came down to one simple factor: the Yankees wanted him more. Following the Bombers' 9-4 win at Fenway Park Saturday, the Red Sox might be rethinking that decision. Martin belted two of the Yankees' four home runs, pacing an offense that scored in five of the first seven innings. "They were interested, but at the same time, they were worried about the injuries that I had," Martin said of the Sox. "That's really what it came down to. The Yankees were much more aggressive and that was the end of the story." Martin's second career two-homer day helped rescue Ivan Nova, who failed to make it out of the fifth inning. Robinson"
Martin's influence helps righty keep cool on mound
April 3
New York Post
 columnist Kevin Kernan
"For A.J. Burnett, it always has been about his stuff, never about his pitching. That has been Burnett's fatal flaw. Burnett has a chance to get it right this year, and here's why. In catcher Russell Martin and pitching coach Larry Rothschild, Burnett is letting others do his thinking for him, making him a pitcher with stuff. If Burnett thinks, he stinks. His performance yesterday wasn't spectacular, but it was encouraging, and there is a growing sense of trust in Martin, who has indeed had a spectacular start as Yankees catcher. Martin blasted a three-run home run in the 10-6 beat-down of the Tigers at Yankee Stadium. And when Burnett needed him most, Martin was there for him, blocking the"
Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Russell Martin homer in support of A.J. Burnett as Yankees win
April 3
New York Daily News
 
"The Yankees aren't always going to need $82.5 million worth of front-end dominance from Burnett. Pitching serviceably enough to allow a loaded lineup and a shutdown bullpen to do much of the heavy lifting often will suffice. The recently flu-ridden Burnett was excellent for four innings before admittedly tiring in the fifth, but completing that frame was more than adequate as the Yanks erupted for three more home runs to open the season with two straight wins, including Saturday's 10-6 shelling of the Tigers at the Stadium. "I felt terrible. I was good early and toward the end I sort of wore down," Burnett said after allowing three runs over five innings to start the process of putting his"
Yankees catcher Russell Martin gets his career in the Bronx off on the right foot on Opening Day
April 1
New York Daily News
 
"Russell Martin was clearly having a good time at the postgame media scrum in front of his locker Thursday. The new Yankee catcher answered a few questions en Francais for a French-language TV station, smiling for the folks back home in Montreal, and joked when his cell phone's ringtone infiltrated sound bites. "That's a little funk right there," Martin said. Why shouldn't he have been happy? Martin, the man replacing the popular Jorge Posada as the Yankee backstop, enjoyed a terrific debut in the Yanks' 6-3 victory over Detroit, going 1-for-3 with two runs. He singled to open the third inning and then stole third base moments before Mark Teixeira's key three-run homer. He also enjoyed a"
Yankees catcher Russell Martin reassuring behind the plate, as long as he's healthy, anyway
March 8
New York Daily News
 
"One of the more pleasant, under-the-radar developments with the Yankees this spring has been Russell Martin's gradual easing in as the No. 1 catcher. But it's more than just demonstrating his skill at handling the pitchers that has been most satisfying to the Yankee brass, it's a sense of relief that Martin apparently won't be this year's version of Nick Johnson. In regard to the latter, there were skeptics aplenty when camp opened and Martin, coming off major hip fracture and knee surgery that prompted the Dodgers to non-tender him, was on a restricted work load. As recently as two weeks ago, when the Yankees opened the Grapefruit League season, Martin had not participated in the full"
Catcher Russell Martin learning tendencies of Yankee pitchers, including lefty ace CC Sabathia
February 25
New York Daily News
 
"Most players think spring training is too long. For a catcher trying to learn a new pitching staff, it's not nearly long enough. That's what Russell Martin is facing over the next five weeks, as he takes a crash course on the Yankees' pitchers. "Pitchers are different, man," Martin said. "They're strange birds. They would admit it, I'm sure." Martin caught CC Sabathia's batting practice session Thursday, the first time he has worked with the ace. He started to get a sense of Sabathia's stuff - "He's got a nasty two-seamer" - but getting to know the lefthander on a personal level will be equally important for the catcher. "It's really seeing how they act when they're in game mode," Martin"
Yanks not alarmed that Martin isn't ready yet
February 24
New York Post
 
"The Yankees and Russell Martin are not concerned about the starting catcher not being ready to get behind the plate Saturday in the exhibition season opener against the Phillies. Yet, eight days into camp, Martin explained his surgically repaired right knee hasn't allowed him to block balls. Hence, he won't play Saturday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. He had surgery on the knee Dec. 20 to repair a meniscus problem. "It's still a little stiff. It's not 100 percent yet," Martin said yesterday. "It's not a setback. I will be ready for the regular season. They don't want me to get ahead of myself and get set back." With Jorge Posada shifted to full-time DH, the 28-year-old Martin easily is"
Russell Martin won't be ready for Yankees' spring opener
February 24
New York Post
 
"Yankees catcher Russell Martin, coming off offseason surgery for a small tear in his right knee, will not be ready for Saturday's spring training opener against Philadelphia. "It's still a little stiff. It's not 100 percent yet,'' Martin said Wednesday. "It's not a setback. I will be ready for the regular season. They don't want me to get ahead of myself and get set back.'' Brian Cashman said he has no concerns about Martin's status for the regular-season opener. Joe Girardi said he thinks Martin might miss three or four spring games. "I don't think he is quite ready to go and I am not going to rush him,'' Girardi said. "I told him that I wanted to know when he was 100 percent because I"
Yankees Martin not hurtin'
February 18
New York Post
 
"The Yankees were confident that Russell Martin's health would not be an issue when they signed the free-agent catcher. They knew his 2010 season ended prematurely because of a hip injury, and he had knee surgery after he signed. But so far in camp, though it's very early, Martin has not been slowed. "He has had no issues, he has been fine," said Joe Girardi, who observed Martin in drills yesterday. "He has not shown us anything that wouldn't allow him to play every day." * Girardi joked that Mariano Rivera's delayed arrival at camp was well thought out."
Martin's knee set for test
February 9
New York Post
 
"Russell Martin still is getting used to his new team. "I'm feeling good in this black," he said pointing to his Yankees shorts, before correcting himself, "or what is it? It's more navy." Martin, the Yankees' new starting catcher, has to learn more than the team colors before Opening Day. He's trying to learn the pitching staff, and in the process, rehab his right knee. Martin had surgery in December to repair a small tear in his meniscus, and said he still is not 100 percent. Today will be the next test for Martin's knee, as he tries to catch for the first time since the surgery. He has been hitting for about two weeks and took grounders yesterday. "I think I'll be ready for the season,"
Russell Martin lined up to be Yankees starting catcher, though Jesus Montero isn't conceding job yet
February 9
New York Daily News
 
"When the Yankees signed Russell Martin in December, they immediately anointed him their starting catcher. But the former Dodger, who arrived at the team's minor-league complex last week for pre-spring training workouts, isn't acting like he already has the job. And Jesus Montero, the uber-prospect the Yanks view as their catcher of the future or a valuable trade nugget, isn't conceding the gig to Martin, either. "I want to be behind the plate," Montero said Tuesday during a break from a session in the batting cage. "I want to show everybody that I can catch with the Yankees." Still, it seems certain - as certain as anything can be in Yankeeland, anyway - that Montero has little chance to"
Russell Martin uses martial arts training to shed weight, prepare for first season as Yankees catcher
February 8
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Russell Martin shared during his introductory conference call that he had struggled the last few years to find an offseason workout regimen that works for him. But the new Yankees' catcher told reporters* today that he may have found the answer -- in an octagon. Mixed martial arts training apparently gave Martin the workout he has has been seeking. And the first-year Yankee hopes it will enough to fortify his body against the injuries that have contributed to his decline. Martin said he has lost 15 pounds, down from 230. "I never got tired." Martin told reporters gathered in Tampa, Fla., a week before the first official workouts for pitchers and catchers. Martin, who became a free agent"
Russell Martin says Dodgers answered question of how much they wanted him
December 17
Los Angeles Times
 
"Russell Martin said he turned down an offer from the Dodgers earlier this month because he wanted to learn something. How much did the Dodgers want him? Did they still believe in him? Martin said he figured that if the Dodgers were convinced he could regain his old form, his rejection of their proposal wouldn't have resulted in their severing ties. They would have tendered him a contract, even if doing so would have locked them into paying him more than the $5.05 million he earned last season. They didn't. And like that, the first member of the Dodgers' young nucleus to become an All-Star became the first to leave. "They kind of gave me the answer I wanted," Martin said. The split became"
Yankees officially add starting catcher Russell Martin
December 16
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The Yankees officially announced the signing of catcher Russell Martin, who enters next season as the new starting catcher, with Jorge Posada making a transition to designated hitter. "This is a guy who's very talented, very athletic," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said today. "It allows us to bring our younger catchers along at the pace that we want to and not force them into maybe being on our club." Without Martin, 27, the Yankees' choices would have been backup Francisco Cervelli and prospects Jesus Montero and Austin Romine. Those three will now compete for the backup spot, even though Martin will undergo minor knee surgery before spring training. Martin's deal is for one-year, $4"
Yanks, Martin finalize $4M deal
December 16
New York Post
 
"If Andy Pettitte returns, he and other Yankees hurlers will find a new face behind the mask -- and one who comes with mixed reviews. The Yanks haven't heard from Pettitte, who is deciding between retirement or resuming a borderline Hall of Fame career. Nevertheless, the Yankees have a new catcher in Russell Martin, who signed a one-year, $4 million deal that includes performance bonuses that could raise the value to $5.4 million. Martin underwent a physical in Manhattan on Tuesday and the deal could be announced as soon as today. After telling Jorge Posada they viewed him as a DH, the Yankees strongly hinted that Jesus Montero, Austin Romine and Francisco Cervelli would compete for the"