After giving Pirates ‘street cred’ 6 years ago, Russell Martin makes return to Pittsburgh

For the first time since the 2014 wild-card game, Russell Martin appeared in a game at PNC Park on Saturday night.

Martin was one of the stars on the first Pittsburgh Pirates team to have a winning record or qualify for the postseason in a 21-year span when they took the National League wild card in 2013 and 2014. Martin was a steady presence behind the plate for those teams.

“He was one of the guys we got here that I thought gave us some street cred,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said Saturday afternoon before a game against Martin’s Dodgers. “He had played on winning organizations. He was a fighter. He was a competitor. He had an edge, rolled up his sleeves, got after it. Wanted to win at everything he did.

“Added a little value all over the place.”

Russell Martin gets a well deserved tribute video in his first plate appearance at PNC Park since leaving in free agency after the 2014 season. pic.twitter.com/xlHcLT32sz

— Noah Hiles (@Noah_Hiles95) May 26, 2019

Like they did for David Freese in his return to PNC Park the night before, the Pirates played a tribute video for Martin as he walked to the plate to lead off the second inning. Martin tipped his cap to fans while they applauded.

Hurdle said he has spoken with Martin multiple times since he left the Pirates, signing a five-year, $82 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

“I thanked him for his effort and his energy and everything from everybody here,” Hurdle said.

Martin signed the largest free agent contract in Pirates history (two years, $17 million) prior to the 2013 season and had a .256/.362/.401 slash line with 26 home runs over 238 games with the team in 2013-14.

Before Martin’s arrival, the Pirates had finished no better than fourth place in any of the previous 13 seasons.

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