Russell Martin

IABucFan · Post by **IABucFan** » Tue May 21, 2019 3:02 pm

The weekend series with the Dodgers will mark the first time Russ has played in Pittsburgh since leaving for Toronto after the 2014 season. I know he only played two years here, but he was such an integral part of the 2013 and 2014 teams. He brought a resurgence in attitude, and a stability behind the plate that the Pirates probably hadn't had since Kendall. For my two cents, I will always believe that Russ was the true MVP of those teams, and I don't mean for that in any way to take away from McCutchen, Burnett, Liriano, Cole, Walker, Grilli, Melancon, etc.

There are three images that really stick in my mind: the home run off Cueto after the dropped ball in the 2013 Wild Card game, the 8th inning home run against the Brewers in late September that all but locked up the Wild Card, and screaming at a home plate umpire after Burnett had gotten jobbed on a call. That's to say nothing of the outstanding defense he provided behind the plate, particularly with his arm. After suffering through the likes of Rod Barajas, Benito Santiago, Michael McHenry (who is a likable guy), Dusty Brown, and countless others, Russ locked down the most important position on the diamond for two years, and two playoff births were the result.

I hope that the fans give him a very warm welcome and that the team produces a video tribute for him, as they did for Burnett and McCutchen.

maher.timothy20@gm · Post by **maher.timothy20@gm** » Tue May 21, 2019 3:12 pm

I haven't been following--what's David Freese up to this year?

Could be a big weekend for tribute videos.

Unless they snub Freese for talking smack on Pirates brass.

rucker59@gmail.com · Post by **rucker59@gmail.com** » Tue May 21, 2019 7:11 pm

https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2013/ ... 1AQCKAE%3D

The Picture of a lifetime.

One of the great articles ever: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/joe ... 1809300079

Brothers for life....

IABucFan · Post by **IABucFan** » Tue May 21, 2019 7:23 pm

3235232B2532757900272D21292C6E232F2D400 wrote: https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2013/ ... 1AQCKAE%3D

The Picture of a lifetime.

One of the great articles ever: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/joe ... 1809300079

Brothers for life....

Shame on Bob Nutting for not capitalizing on this. An absolute disgrace to just move on in 2016 like nothing happened.