PHOENIX | Ontario’s Bo Naylor grew up in a Toronto Blue Jays uniform modeled after Russell Martin. He feels it is a great privilege to work with him on the Canadian team as a Special Advisor for Recipients.
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“The goal for me is to be the best baseball player I can be and to have a role model like him by my side, it’s a way of taking a piece of his brain, seeing the games from his perspective and everything forever future,” said Naylor, a member of the Cleveland Guardians organization.
Naylor, 23, was just a teenager when Martin played for the Jays. His memories jostle in his head, but he particularly remembers the famous October 14, 2015 playoff game against the Texas Rangers. On this day, Jose Bautista performed his famous “bat strike”. Naylor, then 15, reveals he really enjoyed playing the role of Quebec receiver in the game.
“It was a game that developed strangely,” said Naylor. I remember Russell being unlucky to throw at a batter’s stick who was trying to return the ball to the mound. It had cost the Blue Jays a point and you could see his desire to win that game at all costs. I remember Russell’s reaction when Bautista hit the home run. »
The intelligence of Russell Martin
More generally, Naylor speaks of Martin as an inspiration.
“I saw him play and he was a potential role model for me, especially as he’s a Canadian player,” said Naylor. He was one of the smartest catchers in Major League Baseball. »
“I believe whenever I can ask him for advice I shouldn’t hesitate to do so and I should benefit from it,” Naylor added of the recent experience he shares with Martin within the Canada team. The way he directs pitchers and the relationship he develops with them is exceptional. As a catcher, you have to be the one the pitchers trust. »
“Being a Good Presence”
When asked about his role at Naylor this week, the Quebec native showed humility.
“I don’t want to push myself too much as a coach,” said Martin. We are here first to win games. You don’t want to work on too many new things. I’m more there to help him with his routine and answer his questions about the other team or our own pitchers. At 23, he still lacks some experience. I just want to be a good presence for him. »
“I already see what Bo is doing and he has good deeds,” boasted the Quebecer. He takes the ball well. He’s a super athletic player, a bit like I’m behind home plate… He’s got a really good racquet too. It’s only a matter of time before he’s a regular on the Major League Baseball starting lineup. »
know the opponent
From the outside, pitching coach Denis Boucher appreciates Martin’s contribution.
“It certainly helps to have Russell with us,” he said in turn. It’s good for our recipients like Naylor. Russ is experienced and remembers some opponents who were around when he played. »
Bo Naylor plays in the Cleveland Guardians organization, along with his big brother Josh, who is absent from the World Baseball Classic. At 17, her promising younger brother Myles could be selected in the next Major League Draft in July.
In the notebook…
The Quebec Launcher Jesen Therrien, formerly of the Philadelphia Phillies, continues to seek a return to professional baseball. Recovering from multiple surgeries on his right arm, he showed off his skills Monday morning at a training session at the College of Phoenix, Arizona. Team Canada pitching coach and scout for the New York Yankees, Denis Boucher was curious and went to see him in action. We’re talking a fastball going from 92 to 94 mph, a slippery ball and a breaking ball. The next logical step for Therrien would be to face hitters.
Left-handed at just 19 Mitch Brat was the announced starter for Canada on Monday night to face the big American guns. Born in Newmarket, Ontario, Pitcher is a Texas Rangers prospect. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 draft.
Cal Quantrill, who fought for Canada against Great Britain, will not be available as a starting pitcher against Mexico on Wednesday. However, he could be sent to the mound in the quarterfinals if the Canadian team qualifies.
Nothing beats ending a long day at work with a good peanut butter burger with young Quebec baseball players Leo Cote, Alex Dionne, Justin Boisjoly and William Labonteincluding all in Arizona with the Okotoks Dawgs program.