A Love Supreme: Martin Talks Blue Jays and Montreal
Russell Martin speaking French is charming. It just is. The charm is amplified when he's happy. The man was just tickled this weekend.
The hometown boy had a ten minute press conference with Quebec media on Friday, the video of which you can see here.
(Enjoy also the French Canadian versions of the same commercials you see in the rest of Canada. Quebecois bros talk about trucks, too. And people obsessing about their laundry detergent is universal.)
What doesn't require much translation is how excited and how happy Martin is to be playing in Montreal again and how excited he is to start the season. It’s all over his face. Martin didn’t say anything revolutionary but he made up for it with enthusiasm.
Both Leblanc and Benoît Rioux for TVA Sports wrote about the highlights of the press conference, which I will translate.
On the slightly awkward scheduling of this event
The team went from Florida to Montreal and have to return to Florida to play Tampa on Opening Day. That game starts at 4 p.m., because ESPN is airing it.
“Il est vrai que le calendrier n’est pas favorable cette année, mais je peux vous assurer que les gars aiment bien Montréal et qu’ils sont excités d’être ici et de jouer devant des foules de 50 000 spectateurs.”
It’s true that the schedule isn’t favourable this year, but I can assure you that the guys like Montreal a lot and are excited to be here and to play before crowds of 50 000.
"La Foule" is also a great song by Edith Piaf.
On the loss of David Price
“Il est certain qu’on a perdu l’un des meilleurs lanceurs des majeures en Price, mais j’estime qu’il y a plus de profondeur au sein de notre personnel en début de saison cette année qu’en 2015, a-t-il souligné. De toute manière, Price n’était pas avec l’équipe en début de campagne.”
It’s true we lost one of the best pitchers in baseball with Price, but I think there is more depth in our staff to start the season this year over 2015. Either way, Price wasn’t with the team to start the season.
On the Jays at the start of 2015 versus the Jays at the start of 2016
“À mes yeux, ce n’est pas si compliqué, on est allé chercher David Price durant la dernière saison donc il ne l’avait pas entamée avec nous. Je trouve qu’on a une meilleure profondeur, on est plus complet et les jeunes ont plus d’expérience.”
In my eyes, it’s not so complex, we went out and got David Price in the middle of the season so he didn’t start the season with us. I think the depth (on this team) is better, it’s more complete and the kids have more experience.
“L’ambiance était différente au camp cette année. On veut compléter le travail amorcé l’an dernier.”
The mood in camp was different this year. We want to finish what we started last year.”
“On sait que les équipes vont s’attaquer à nous, mais je trouve que notre enclos est plus solide et on a assez de talent en attaque pour bâtir deux équipes! ”
We know teams are going to come after us, but I find that our bullpen is more solid and we have enough offense for two teams.
“La clé sera de pouvoir rester en santé, car, une fois de plus, la division Est de la Ligue américaine est très forte.”
The key is to stay healthy because, once again, the AL East is strong.
About the Kids
“Cette année, on peut compter sur les services de l’excellent Marcus Stroman dès le départ, a ajouté Martin. Nos jeunes lanceurs ont acquis une précieuse expérience l’an passé en participant aux éliminatoires. Ils savent mieux ce que ça prend pour connaître du succès. C’est le cas notamment des jeunes Roberto Osuna et Aaron Sanchez.”
This season, we can count on the great Marcus Stroman from the start. Our young pitchers acquired important experience pitching in the playoffs. They understand better what it takes to be successful. This is notably the case for guys like Roberto Osuna and Aaron Sanchez.
On other changes with the new front office
“Ça change un peu la dynamique de notre fonctionnement. Pas sur le terrain, mais plus par rapport à des changements dans la structure des entraînements et de la nutrition notamment. Ça devrait nous aider en bout de ligne.”
It changes our work a little. Not on the field, but more with the changes to the training regimens and the nutrition. Which will only help us in the end.
On playing in hometown Montreal
“L’an passé, je me mettais un peu de pression sur les épaules alors que je veux juste avoir du plaisir cette fois. On célèbre le baseball, ce qu’on ne peut pas faire à longueur d’année à Montréal. Les gens sont excités et ça ajoute un peu de « sauce piquante » à la ville si je peux dire. ”
Last year, I put a lot of pressure on myself but I just want to enjoy myself this year. We are celebrating baseball, which we can’t do all year in Montreal. People are excited and it adds a little spice to the city, even.
Martin actually says "sauce piquante" which means "hot sauce." It doesn't really translate in this context. But enjoy the image of the Blue Jays being hot sauce.
“Je ne pensais jamais avoir la chance, je suis arrivé dans le baseball en 2006 et je me disais que c’était deux ans trop tard. J’avais été repêché par les Expos (en 2000) et je pensais à ça en me disant que si j’avais signé avec eux, peut-être qu’ils ne seraient pas partis.”
I thought I was never going to have the chance, I arrived in baseball in 2006 and I told myself ‘You’re too late.’ I was drafted by the Expos (in 2000) and I thought about that. If only I had signed with them, I might’ve saved them.”
That's actually quite sad. I don't think anything was really going to save them at that point, but the thought is a beautiful one. A World Series in 1994 might've done it.
I looked it up. Martin was drafted in the 2000 draft by Montreal in the 35th round but didn’t sign. I’m guessing he decided to go to college in the States for a bit and try to get drafted higher. Which is what happened in the 2002 draft where the Dodgers took him in the 17th round as a third baseman.
“On peut sentir le “buzz” et chaque fois que les gens sont excités par mon sport, ça produit le même effet sur moi.”
There is a buzz and every time people are excited about my sport, I also get excited.
“Je veux juste être une influence positive pour les jeunes. Si je peux pousser juste un jeune à devenir un joueur de baseball et en retenir des leçons de vie.”
I just want to be an influence on kids. If I can inspire one kid to become a baseball player and learn those life lessons.
“Si on continue de jouer de la “bonne balle”, ça va contribuer à garder la flamme allumée. Ce n’est pas pour se mettre de la pression, mais j’aimerais revoir une équipe à Montréal », a soutenu Martin qui espère que « l’élastique des trois années de matchs préparatoires ne cassera pas.”
“If we continue to play good baseball, it’s going to contribute to keep keeping the flame alive. It’s not to put too much pressure, but I would like to see a team back in Montreal. I hope that the elastic of three years of exhibition games doesn’t break.”
Hold up. The elastic? This is an example of how language is idiomatic. Let’s go with “momentum” there. “I hope the momentum of three years of exhibition games doesn’t break.”
“Ce serait merveilleux si Montréal revenait dans la Ligue américaine, ça ferait toute une rivalité avec Toronto et le baseball majeur en serait gagnant. Je sens que la ville est prête et que ce n’est qu’une question de temps.”
It would be great if Montreal comes back in the American League, which gives it a natural rivalry with Toronto and Major League Baseball would be the winner. I think the city is ready and it’s just a matter of time.
“Montréal a une très belle réputation en tant que ville exceptionnelle, pour ses restaurants, la mode et le côté multiculturel. Je pense que les Jays touchent un peu le Canada au complet et tant mieux si on peut prendre un peu de la place des Expos.”
Montreal has a great reputation as an exceptional city, for restaurants, fashion and multiculturalism. I think the Jays touch all of Canada and it’s nice they can do that with the loss of the Expos.
I remember Dan Shulman at a Pitch Talks event saying that big leaguers also miss Montreal. Probably for the strip clubs. The presentation to get the MLBPA on board might be fun.
“C’est toujours cool de visiter une place où tu n’es jamais allé auparavant. De plus, avec le français, c’est un peu comme s’ils visitaient un autre continent!”
It’s always cool to visit a place you’ve never visited before. Plus, with the French, it’s a bit like visiting a different continent.
And that's about it.
I had to tell myself that losing two exhibition games to the Red Sox didn't matter. And it doesn't. But from now on, it counts.
