(J.D. Martin makes his Cleveland debut tonight. It's only nine years in the making. Photo by AP via Daylife.)
Nine Years After
When J.D. Martin takes the mound for the Nationals in his 1920's throwback Senators uni tonight against the Indians at Progressive Field, it will be the end of a long, injury-pocked road that started with so much promise in 2001. Drafted by the Indians in second round of the June 2001 MLB Draft, the Plain Dealer reports that he's the last man standing from that Indians draft class - the only player selected by the Indians still playing professional baseball:
"I was running on the field [Friday afternoon], reminiscing on when we would come here for winter development. I grew up in the Indians' organization with a goal to pitch on this mound. I thought it would happen with me in the other dugout, so it's a little weird. But to just be able to pitch here is awesome, and I'm looking forward to it."
(J.D. Martin, via Cleveland Plain Dealer, 6/11/2010)
So it only took him nine years to make it to Cleveland. Here's hoping J.D. takes a cue from Austin Kearns and punishes his former organization tonight.
Meanwhile...
Nationals will reportedly host the All Star game in 2015. Stan Kasten quoted on Nationals Journal Saturday morning, claims he hasn't heard anything (*wink* *wink*). Let's just pencil in Stephen Strasburg as NL starter now, while we're at it, okay?
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