Justin Morneau befuddled by Russell Martin’s sudden pull out from World Baseball Classic
Pittsburgh Pirates’ catcher threw a curveball at this Team Canada mates when he decided to drop out of the World Baseball Classic at the last minute. This has been a cause of major shock amongst the team management and players and no one seems to be able
to understand the timing of Russell’s pullout.
Justin Morneau, his teammate in the WBM, is not hiding his feelings about the pullout and the timing with which it was done. Justin believes that Martin was the main man behind home-plate and his late withdrawal has left very little time to find a suitable
replacement.
"If he wanted to get down in camp and see how his body reacted to catching or whatever it was, obviously he was the No. 1 option for a reason, but the timing of it is a little difficult with trying to find someone to replace him,” Morneau said.
The decision comes for a strange reason. Martin wants to play as a shortstop and not a catcher as he has expressed that desire on previous occasions as well. Russell did prepare for the role to some extent by taking ground balls during Spring Training though
he has no prior experience as a shortstop at the top level and has played at second and third base in a handful of Major League games.
Morneau also was surprised at the strange request and cannot understand the rationale behind the wish to play as a position player.
“It's kind of hard for me to understand," Morneau said.
This would have been a second World Baseball Classic for Martin had he come on board. He was a part of the team that defeated the US in the 2009 edition though the team could not progress beyond the first round after a couple of heavy defeats at the hands
of other teams in the group.
Justin is confident that the Canadian team will find a replacement for him. He sees it as an opportunity for another catcher in Russell’s stead to have the honour of representing the country. He sees no reason why the replacement catcher cannot deliver.
"Obviously, we're going to miss him, but we're going to have somebody there who wants to be there and is going to be honored to put the jersey on and be a part of it. Whoever's there will have to find a way to get it done," Morneau said.
The turn of events is bizarre to say the least. One certainly does not expect professional athletes to act in such an irrational manner over an issue that should not exist in the first place.
Hopefully Team Canada can find a suitable replacement for Russell Martin and can have a good campaign this year. The actions by the catcher are like a body blow to the lineup at this late hour.
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