RUSSELL MARTIN FOR ALL-STAR

Come on guys, fourth place? That's it?

Think about it.

How many games has he been a key role in for the Dodgers to win?

May 23rd - he batted in 3 runs in the bottom of the first, scored a run, and then batted in another run on a sacrifice fly. That makes up the five runs the Dodgers scored to win the game.

May 22nd - he scored the first run after he walked and stole second, then batted the other two runs in when he hit a 2-run homer to make up the three runs the Dodgers scored to win the game.

I can't go back further, but I remember another game where Russell had a hand in making the only runs the Dodger scored to win the game in April. You can probably search the archive to find the date. But it's late, and I'm not going to bother. Let's not forget his GRAND SLAM on April 21st in the bottom of the 10th inning.

In the LA Times : 5-23
Good signs for the Dodgers include Russell Martin batting with runners on base, Russell Martin dashing around the bases and Russell Martin sliding on his belly.

Also, Russell Martin standing at first base, surrounded by 49 other players and various coaches, cross words flying and the competitive nature of the Dodgers' youthful catcher rubbing off on his teammates.

No punches were thrown, but the confrontation served as notice that the Dodgers will not put up with any headhunting involving their prize second-year catcher.

"Any player is valuable, but [Martin] may be a degree more valuable than most folks." Grady Little

What the other players have to say about him:
5-23 Duncan said "Russell's the best player on our team right now, and we've got to do the best we can to protect every player on our team."

5-22 "He's awesome. He amazes me every day," Wolf said. "For a young player who's already established himself as one of the best catchers out there, he's not complacent. He wants to get better."

"And I never get tired of talking about Russell Martin. He's a perfectionist, always looking for ways to get better."

4/28 "He's a special player," Dodgers manager Grady Little said of Martin, who played hero for the second time in a week. "We all know that. He's the kind of guy that would make people believe he'd been in the league 15 years."

4/21 "That kid makes things happen," Dodgers starter Brad Penny said. "He's quick out there and you got people rushing throws just to keep him from doing too much damage. He's a big reason this team is winning."

4/6 "I've been working on being quicker to the plate," Penny said. "If you give him (Martin) a chance, he's going to throw people out."


Martin leads the Dodgers in RBIs (32), runs (30), doubles (tied with Kent with 13), and average (.314). Does he count for on-base-percentage (.390) since the only two guys ahead of him are Kemp and LaRoche? He's got 8 for 9 stolen bases behind Pierre's 17 for 22. He's got 3 home runs (almost 4!!!).

Martin leads the National League catchers in runs (30), hits (49), RBIs (32), stoeln bases (8), and tied with LoDuca for average.
second in doubles (13 behind McCann), OBP (he's .390 and Willingham is .392)

If you made it this far, I hope the next thing you'll do is go to the All-Star ballot and vote for RUSSELL MARTIN for NL Catcher!!!