Russell Martin Elected To Canadian Baseball Hall Of Fame

Martin was born in East York, Ontario, Canadia, and would go on to be drafted by the Dodgers in the 17th round of the 2002 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Chipola College.

He took over the Dodgers starting catcher role in the 2006 season at the age of 23, where he’d remain the primary backstop throughout his first tenure with the team. Playing for the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays, Martin logged 1693 games between four franchises.

Martin batted .248/.349/.397 with 191 home runs, 771 RBI, 1416 hits, and 803 runs scored over his 14-year career. He was regarded as one of the best defensive catchers throughout his time in MLB.

He is arguably the best Canadian-born catcher in Major League history.

Since retiring, Martin has continued to support his country as part of Team Canada’s coaching staff for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Russell Martin’s last big moment with the Dodgers

Locked into a heated series with the Washington Nationals during the 2019 National League Division Series, the Dodgers trailed 2-1 in the sixth inning.

Martin was tabbed as the backup catcher in his return to the Dodgers, but in Game 3 he delivered with a two-run double off Patrick Corbin to give the Dodgers the lead. They would go on to win the game 10-4, providing the Dodgers with 2-1 series lead.

“Any time you’re in the postseason it’s great. The energy, everything’s magnified,” Martin said in 2019 when reflecting on his journey back to October with the Dodgers. “Yeah, 10 years, it flies by. It’s just nice, it’s a good feeling. We got a good group, and, yeah, I mean, I don’t know what else to say except we’re having fun.”