Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Hey, This Sounds Familiar

Russell Martin says, although his right knee and hip aren't 100% yet, he's in the best shape of his career":

Major league catcher Russell Martin isn't quite ready to test his healed right knee and hip against mixed martial arts competition.

However, the native of Chelsea, Que., is quick to sing the praises of the sport's training methods, declaring himself in the best shape of his professional baseball career.

Much of the credit goes to Jonathan Chaimberg, the former trainer for reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.

"I feel like I've trained myself the right way this year. … It's just really high intensity, power endurance-type training," said Martin of MMA training, which he began in mid-October in Chaimberg's Montreal gym.

Martin, who joined the New York Yankees in December as a free agent on a one-year contract worth $4 million US, pointed to being in poor shape the past two seasons as one of the reasons for his declining performance at the plate.

Echoed ESPN.com's MLB Rumors page (no link):

Martin has yet to participate in most baseball activities, but says his hip is fine -- it's the knee that is holding him back at this stage -- but he expects to be cleared over the next few weeks.

If Martin suffers a setback or appears behind schedule, the Yankees could avoid the defensive problems with Posada and Montero by starting Cervelli and biding their time. But anything long term could prompt interest in free agent catcher Bengie Molina, who isn't sure whether he'll play or not this coming season, but a chance to win might convince to suit up again.

Good luck with that, Yankees!

11 comments:

StolenMonkey86 said...

Didn't Gagne always say stuff like that too?

Josh S. said...

Russell Martin is The Black Knight.

(Wha hoppen to the commenting system?)

Nostradamus said...

@SM

As did that intolerable chap-ass Lo Duca. Not exactly the crew to be hanging around with.

Josh S. said...

Which day of Coachella is Intolerable Chap-Ass playing again?

Nostradamus said...

Let me know if you find out. I love their cover of "Billie Jean"

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Didn't Intolerable Chap-Ass open some of the Flaming Menudos' last few concerts?

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Intolerable Chap Ass opened for Flaming Menudos 1979 European Tour, but they were unable to secure visas for the American leg.

John G said...

i used to really like russell. but after i saw the pic of him in the ed hardy tshirt i really had a sour taste in my mouth. i think this confirms my suspicions.

Steve Sax said...

Agreed. The Ed Hardy shirt was a tipoff to douchebaggery. I used to like Russell Martin, but his whole departure from the Dodgers was, like his last two seasons, totally misplayed.

karina said...

not suitable thread for a mother's ears :_(

Alex said...

[Klinger persona]

May the camel of Ed Hardy spread fleas in the Yankees clubhouse and make A-Rod use Russell as a scratching-post.

[Klinger Off]

I wonder if Russell feels slightly ashamed somewhere in that head of his...