The Toronto Blue Jays today announce the naming of a baseball Canada award and amateur clinic after All-Star Canadian catcher, Russell Martin, in celebration of his Major League Baseball retirement. 

The Blue Jays are proudly sponsoring Baseball Canada’s Junior National Team Most Valuable Player Award, which is being renamed as The Russell Martin Award, presented annually to the top junior team player. In addition, the Blue Jays Baseball Academy will host an annual amateur baseball instructional clinic in Quebec to honour Martin’s roots in the province.

“Russell’s impressive playing career elevated the game in Canada and inspired countless young people to step out on a baseball diamond,” said Mark Shapiro, President & CEO, Toronto Blue Jays. “He galvanized a fanbase in Toronto and beyond, and his enormous success is worthy of celebrating today and moving forward.”

“On behalf of Baseball Canada and our Junior National Team program, we are honoured to have the support of the Toronto Blue Jays in renaming the Junior National Team Most Valuable Player Award to The Russell Martin Award,” said Greg Hamilton, Director of Men’s National Teams and Head Coach of the Junior National Team, Baseball Canada. “Prior to his distinguished career in the big leagues, Russell was a member of the Junior National Team program, the same program where many young Canadian ball players dream of becoming the next Russell Martin. To have this award named after him will provide a deserved legacy and inspire future generations of Junior National Team players.”

Martin has long been an integral part of Canada’s baseball fabric. A veteran of 14 MLB seasons – including four with the Blue Jays – the Montreal-raised Martin was named to four All-Star teams to go along with a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger award in 2007. Martin represented Canada three times on the international stage, including the 2009 World Baseball Classic.