Thought this was the best place for my comment, despite the fact that this refers to news from a few days ago. Russel Martin is quite probably the biggest d-bag baseball player going right now (well, maybe second to Clemens). I can understand not suiting up for the World Baseball Classic for a number of different reasons. But to pull a hissy fit and give a big eff-you the National program because you don't get your way is unbelievable.
Playing on this team would have been good for Russel. Seeing a class act like Joey Votto up close might have been good for him.
After first agreeing to be Canada?s starting catcher when the team?s roster was announced in January, Martin surprised team officials last week when he said he would not participate in the tournament unless he was allowed to play shortstop.
Neither Baseball Canada nor his home club, the Pittsburgh Pirates, would allow him to play the position. Martin has played just one professional game at shortstop, 11 years ago, in minor-league rookie ball. He made one error in just five defensive chances, according to Baseball Reference.
http://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2013/03/02/blue_jays_third_baseman_brett_lawrie_calls_out_russell_martin.html
