According to the Canadian Press On Tuesday, former Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin of East York, Ont., will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024. Martin is one of two former Blue Jays inducted as he is joined by pitcher Jimmy Key.
Martin is one of the best Canadian catchers of all time. He played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball. Martin was with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2006 to 2010 and 2019, the New York Yankees from 2011 to 2012, the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2013 to 2014 and the Blue Jays from 2015 to 2018.
Martin, who grew up in Quebec, batted .248 with 191 home runs and 771 runs batted in. In 1,693 games, 6,648 plate appearances and 5,701 at bats, he scored 803 runs and had 1,416 hits, 255 doubles, nine triples, 101 stolen bases, 792 walks, 2,262 total bases, 12 sacrifice bunts and 36 sacrifice flies, along with one on on-base percentage of .349 and a slugging percentage of .397.
Martin was selected to the All-Star Game four times. He was selected in 2007 and 2008 with the Dodgers, in 2011 with the Yankees and in 2015 with the Blue Jays. During his time with the Dodgers, Martin won the Gold Glove Award and the Silver Slugger Award in 2007. He batted .293 with 19 home runs and 87 runs batted in. It was a career high in all three statistical categories.
“Gamer. Introvert. Problem solver. Creator. Thinker. Lifelong food evangelist. Alcohol advocate.”