Your chance to congratulate Russell...

Terrific game Russ, and a great AB against Mariano. All of us here at ITD know that you and the rest of the boys "get it". Goodluck and go get 'em this second half!!

russell.. you are incredible beyond words.. every day i get to watch you play baseball, i feel so lucky. you play the game hard, and play the game the right way, and all baseball fans can appreciate that. while it was sad we only had one dodger representative, it's safe to say you represented your teammates, the organization, all your fans, and the city of los angeles very very well. i am proud to be a fan of yours, and i will continue to be one of your biggest fans forever.

love, Sara :)

Russell ~ you were outstanding!!! We were so proud to say that you were a Dodger, and that you belong to this team. All aspects of your game were top notch, what more is there to say. The game wasn't a game until you were in there, and boy, were you in there!! Fabulous Russell, just absolutely Fabulous!!!!!

Sara - wonderful post :)
.
Hey Josh, Andre's already covered. We just leave him messages over on his blog. Maybe Russell needs his own blog, too :) (jk - but it is a thought) Thanks for doing this Josh - it's fun to get to have communication with the players every now and then.
~ Andre's "Super Fan" ~ Debbie

Russ, you did the Dodgers and it's fans proud. Keep up the good work and let's win the division. PS you should have been the starter.

Great job Marty!!! You made the fans and the Dodgers very proud with your performance. I am happy that many more people got to see what we see everyday, that you are a truly incredible and talented athlete. We are very fortunate to have you on our team. Keep up the good work and I hope you guys make it to the playoffs.

way to represent LA, russ! you probably already know this, but we adore you and are ecstatic to have you on our team. stay healthy, have fun, and have a great 2nd half.
love,
dodger fans everywhere

Congrats on 2 in a row Russell! Your career in MLB has been incredible. You have proven yourself a leader, team player and overall nice guy. I have never heard a bad thing about you from anyone in baseball, fan or media. I love this "youth movement" that has taken over the clubhouse this year, and you are by far the leader of the pack. Keep up the great work and take comfort in the fact that you have all of LA and "Inside The Dodgers Bog" behind you 100%!
.
Go Blue!
.
~Amy~

Mr. Russell Martin

You represented!!! Not only for the Dodgers but, the fans in L.A. and all over the country! You are the next in line of the greatest catchers to play for the Dodgers.

-by the way, Thank you Josh for doing this for us. It's always a good thing when we get the change to say positive things to our boys!-

congrats russ you played a good game you made everyone proud with your performance. hopefully you stay a dodger a long time.

Russell,

Great All-Star game blocking the plate, working with unfamiliar pitchers, forcing Mariano to throw eight pitches to you and getting a hit off of him. You were AWESOME!
.
We love you Russell.
.
Personally, I would be in favor of you becoming the player-manager of this club in about five years. If you are not someday the manager of the Dodgers (assuming that's something you want to do someday), the club will have made a mistake on the order of the mistake they made by letting Mike Scoscia get away.

-- MartinLoneyKemp

Russell,
You make me proud to be a Dodger fan with your day in and day out performances but you also did an exceptional job during the AS game, congrats. Keep up the great work and lead us to the promise land soon, we've been waiting for 20 years. GO BLUE!

Dear Russell Martin,
.
Congratulations on your fine All-Star appearance, as well as for your professional career to date. You are exactly the kind of player the Dodgers have needed for quite some time; a leader who is a high-quality ballplayer at an important position that can be built around. Thank you for being a great player to watch play the game.
.
Now, please have your agent negotiate a longer-term contract with the Dodgers this off-season!

What a great performance Russell....It was a pleasure to watch you in the All Star Game and in every game you play for the Dodgers...You are the shining light for this team...
Keep up the good work ...We're so proud of you..

Great job Russ! Performances like that are the reasons you win awards like the heart and hustle. You played with so much passion and intensity; it makes Los Angeles proud to say that you are a part of the Dodgers and LA. Keep up the great job and good luck in the second half we’re rooting for you.

I have a photo of you at your first Spring Training with the big club in my office (signed, of course). When I took the photo, I predicted your greatness - and I was right, but who the heck knew how well you could play 3B? I think you can play SS too. Do you think you'll ever get the chance? Are you sure you anen't an alien? You are My Favorite Martin, and Favorite Dodger. You represent the Blue as good as anyone ever has... and that's saying a lot!

Congratulations on your work ethic and character! You are a great ballplayer and a better human being. Your father must be very proud.

Eric, Super Song my friend. You do John Denver proud.

Russell, great job at the All Star Game! You showed all those East Coast folks, and the world in general, the epitome of what Dodger baseball is! Keep up the great work, and bring the title back home to where it should be!

Hey jhall - thanks for the tips on the songs by "Guess Who". I was telling eric last night I knew all but two songs - I just didn't know that was the group that sang them. I believe they sang all their songs that became hits, including the two or three you mentioned and the one that scott did a song to. :)

14 days to go...and then Ned can't be retarded.

Your welcome Nells'!! I always liked the Guess Who in Junior High and High School so when I happened to get to see them it was incredible. Very good show, I thought you would enjoy it. Did your kids like it?

Russell, you were great! You're my son's favorite player by a mile. He even plays catcher and wears #55- and he's only 8! I appreciate your all out hard-nosed play. Keep it up!

Hey jungar - I was reading over at DT today,and it was brought up about JP coming back early - did you find out if that was true?
.
jhall - my kids did enjoy it for what they heard. Michael plays Guitar Hero so "American Woman" was a classic hit for him anyway. They didn't hear the whole thing - they were doing the teenage thing - hanging out with their friends. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as did my husband. It was a nice cool night which made it even better. Only two of the original band members still exists, but honestly it didn't sound any different than it does on the radio. They were very well received and they even signed autographs after the show. Some great solos from all the musicians, too.

Miss Debbie, that was speculation on JP based on week-old news. I wouldn't consider it meaningful.

Thank you westernmost - I forgot that you are a poster over there, too. I just saw jungar ask where the info came from. Thanks!! :)

Congratulations, Russell on your All-Star selection and your great performance in the game, too. My dad the Yankee fan, who had been told several times about you by me, finally saw you in action during the AS game and said how he impressed he was. "Ah! Now I see what you've been talking about." And that was just one exhibition game. It's the whole season that impresses me most. Here's to a great rest of the year and hopefully some playoffs!

You also have the best middle name(s) there is. I want to change mine from Gary to Miles or BeBop now. ;)

Best of luck and thanks again for your efforts.
Craig

good job russ, you made us all proud

Congrats on being selected to your 2nd All Star Game. You played an incredible game! I wish you and the rest of the Dodgers, the very best in the second half of the season.

[sung to the tune of Coltranes's version of "My Favorite Things" ]

Russell at Catcher and Russell with All Stars
Bright shining moments and MVP Cars
Bronx baseball legends, celebs on the scenes
These are a few of my favorite things.

Throwing out runners and blocking their way home,
Red FuManchu faced and mohawk on your dome
Extending your contract til the 2000--teens
These are a few of my favorite things

Good job Obi!!! Glad you had a good time last night Nells'.

Russ,
My 83 year old Grandpa, who is a HUGE Giants fan, emailed me Tuesday night to say what an outstanding job 'my catcher' did at the AS Game, I had to agree. You made us Dodger fans so proud and we're so glad you were there to represent LA!

Russ mate - Greetings from Australia. You did an outstanding job in the All Star game and you made all us old Dodger fans proud. Keep up the good work and one day I hope to be able to see you play in the flesh but that's in the hands of the Lotto "Gods".

Wow!! Obi - Once again - incredible job!!!

Glad to see that Matthew is back in the lead-off spot and Andre is in his EVERYDAY spot. Still not sure why James in not 5th, but I am not complaining too much. At least it's Nomar and not Andruw. GO DODGERS!!! It's great to be back to playing baseball.

perfectly said Dnelly! Great line up tonight!
.
I'm so happy to watch a game tonight!

Russell
As a former catcher, I was more than impressed with the pick and tag play at the plate and your hit was a great piece of major league hitting. You more than carried your share of the load representing the Dodgers. Here's hoping we get to see more in the years to come. Like in the World Series.

Russell! You were a rock star at the AllStar Game! Congrats on a terrific performance, you did us proud! Here’s hoping next year you will be voted again as a starter as you well deserve and not travel solo but with additional Dodger company. Congrats again on making the Blue look awesome on national TV!

Hey Russ just want to say CONGRATS on a terrific All-star game! It was awesome seeing you play that long and making some great plays. Great job on representing the Dodgers!

Monique

Russell,
Congratulations on your trip to the All-Star. It was a pleasure to watch you play. I love your enthusiasm on the field! I felt bad for Dan Uggla following his errors, but was happy the game wasn't decided based on them. Glad that Holidays got the NLon the board with his HR. Loved Nate McClout's throw home. We lost but we put a great fight!
.
Like I told you once in San Francisco, your "Before the Bigs" was very touching and your dad made me cry. I still cry when I see it. When I ran into you at Mulligan's in Vero Beach (you were saying good-bye to the bartender lady who was also working at Dodgertown while I was having dinner and a drink at the bar), you were very gracious when I said "good luck Russell". You extended your hand and said "Thank you ". Please remember that a smile or a greeting from our boys in Blue goes a long way for us Dodger fans.
.
I voted for you this year, but last year between my brother and I we filled out 2 boxes of ballots for you. Ever since I met Debi Little at one of the WIn events, I would always run into her at the elevator or escalator or just walking by at the stadium. Anyway, she saw me carrying the second box that year and she helped me find a place where to place it. Next thing I know, a few weeks later, I received a package at home with a beautiful handmade Dodger bag and a card saying "Thank you for being such a good fan of Russell". She is a sweet lady, I miss seeing her friendly face at the stadium. I love that she treated everyone the same, weather she was talking to an executive, an usher or a fan. The world needs more people like Debi. I hope she and Grady are doing well enjoying their grandchildren.
.
Road trip for me! I will be in Phoenix to watch Saturday and Sunday's game, God willing. Stomp on those Snakes!
.
Thanks!
.
Emma

Good to see Loney batting ahead of Jones but until Jones improve he should bat 8th.

Hey Russ, fantastic job in the all star game. You definitely showed the entire country who the best catcher is. You made all Dodger fans proud, keep it up!

-Shaw

Russ,
You were simply outstanding at the All-Star game. The play at the plate where you tagged-out Navarro was a thing of beauty.
I have talked with many Dodgers fans about your performance, and without fail the most common reply has included the word "proud."
Russ, you make us proud to say we are Dodgers fans-- you are the man!

Free Andy LaRoche!

And cut loose Andruw Jones!!

Perfect timing enchanted!!!
.
Song: For Two Full Years (Andruw Jones)
Original Years: 96 Tears
By: ? and the Mysterians
.
Too many strikeouts for one guy to be grinnin'
Too many strikeouts for one guy to carry on
.
You're up to bat now
In front of Loney
You're always smilin'
Way up at us
But watch out now
Here comes the ball
Get it together
For just a little while
Or then Joe should bench you
Put Young there
Or we'll be cryin'
For two full years
Cry
Cry
.
And when it's time to come up
We'll be on top
You'll be way down there
Lookin' up
And we won't cheer
From up here
Some will even boo you
Swingin' now
From way up here
Wonderin' how
We ever got you
But we know now
We'll just cry, cry, we'll just cry
.
Too many strikeouts for these fans to be watchin'
Too many strikeouts for these fans
To carry on
We're gonna cry when Andruw starts
We're gonna cry when Andruw starts
We're gonna cry, cry, cry, cry, now
We're gonna cry, cry, cry, cry
For two full years cmon' or you'll hear us cry, now
For two full years (whoo!) Your gonna hear us cry
Night and day, yeah all night long
Uh, for two full years cry, cry, cry
Andruw, let us hear you cry now, all night long
Uh, for two full years! Yeah, cmon' now
Uh, for two full years!
.
(fade)

Captain Martin,
.
A great All-Star game. You played it like you do every game with the Dodgers--with heart and skill. While you had to represent the Dodgers alone, you more than carried the burden, working counts, throwing, blocking the plate, and even executing the sacrifice when I am sure that you wanted to--and could have--driven in the go-ahead run.
.
I am not sure if I agree with my brother MartinLoneyKemp about you being a player manager--I have no doubt you could do it, but it's a lot of stuff to put on a player to be a key hitter, team captain (which I hope you are soon appointed to), on-field captain by virtue of your position, and manager. And I wonder if you could only go out to talk to the pitcher once in an inning without pulling him. But I wholeheartedly agree with his assessment that when the day comes that you hang up your catching gear--which we all would like to not happen until your age is your number, but realisitically not for many, many years--you should, and I hope do become the Dodgers Manager.
.
Until that day, we love that you keep making All-Star teams, keep leading the club, and we wish you the very best in the Second Half.

Hey Russ you did an awesome job at the ASG! You really schooled Soto & Mcann on how to protect the plate, putting on a defensive clinic out there! :D

-aee16

Outstanding nells!!!

Kudos to obi and Eric from the last thread as well!!

Goooooooo Nelly. Awesome!!!!

Russell!! You did an outstanding job representing the Dodgers well in the All-Star game. I stood up and cheered at your play at the plate as if I were at the game, you did a terriffic job covering the plate, handing the pick and tagging the runner out. Nice, Russell!! Or as they were calling you on the Fox network, a magician. Yup, you're our MAGICIAN!! Thanks for showing everyone what type of catcher/player we have on our team. I truly appreciate all of your hard work, you're my favorite player and I hope you can spend your entire career in a Dodger uniform. I would be disappointed if you were ever to leave the Dodgers organization. I've never lived in Southern California, but I make sure everyone here in the Northern part of California know who Russell Martin is!! Last but not least, congrats on getting a hit off Mariano Rivera, you put up a battle and you got it done. You ROCK!!!!! Russ, you make us Dodger fans proud each and everyday. Next up, let's get to the playoffs, I know we can do it. Our best baseball is yet to be played!! I hope I can get the chance to meet you someday and get your autograph.

Love, Miriam. (One of your many #1 fans!) :)

Thanks boys!! Nelly's/June's on a roll right now - more to come - ha!! LOL!!!

You go girl!!!!!!!!!!!!

great lineup today.. i'm SO excited we're back!! the break seemed FOREVER, even though it was only a few days.. let's get a win, GO BLUE!

so, i've been MIA lately (we have camp so i'm away from my computer the whole day teaching kids tennis).. and if i'm not on my computer at work, i can't post!! haha.. but i've caught up mostly on what's been going on.. cool songs everyone.. you've all been creative for the past few days, that's for sure.. but then again, when are you not creative?

dnelly, i read that your husband is bringing your son to prospect camp at my school! :)
let me know which session he's coming to, and i can ask some of the coaches and baseball guys what they thought of him if you want.. i know most of them pretty well.. what grade is he going to be in?

also, i was reading as you were talking about your ethier obsession. trust me when i say that i'm sure my russell obsession compares equally, or even greater. i have everything russell, and i love the guy. shirts, jerseys.. i even have a shirt that they were selling at dodgers stadium earlier in the year that says "who's your boyfriend? i've got mine.." and it has martin 55 in a baseball.. haha.. i just think it's such a silly shirt and i can't believe russell let them sell it.. so i bought it.. i can't believe you have an ethier build-a-bear, because i have a russell one! his name is just russ. he has a dodgers t-shirt and bunny slippers.. haha

amy, when i went to the dodgers-marlins game on saturday, there was a girl behind me that has such a huge crush on matty kemp. she reminded me of you. she was ballsy too. we were sitting next to the ballboy, and late in the game after one of matty's at bats, she went to talk to the ballboy, and she gave him a note with her number in it for the guy to give to matt. it took some coaxing, but he finally agreed to give the note to matty. i couldn't believe she actually did it. as much as i love russell, i just can't see myself throwing my number on a note to be delivered. haha. i'm just going to have to meet him myself to strike up a conversation. not saying that matty would call her, just saying it's interesting..

sorry for the long post ya'll..

Dear 55,

Heck of a game you played. You made all who wear Dodger blue proud. You play the game they way it deserves to be played. Keep it up!
Ed in SLC

sara - that is too funny about the bear!!! LOL!!! I named him Ethier because I wanted my students to learn how to spell his last name (Andre is an easy name to spell). So, he goes by Ethier Bear. I introduce him at the beginning of the year. I have other stuffed animals that are named after Dodger players in the classroom, but Ethier Bear goes back and forth between home and school.
.
about the prospect camp - I believe he is going to the one in the middle of August (I will check specific dates), and he is only going to be a sophomore who turns 15 in October. Sara - he already throws 4/5 different pitches. I'm just his mom, but he's awfully good for his age and three more years of highschool to go.

Russell, first off, thanks for taking pictures with my kids on the last Caravan. In my 22 or so years of watching baseball there's one variety of player I have found that rises to the top, and that's the kind that first, are talented, and second, that bust their butt on every play no matter what. You must be physically and mentally exhausted at the end of the season because are you in the game for the entire 3 hours. You have all the tools to succeed and that's pretty obvious at this point. It's a pleasure getting to watch you and, most important for me, to have someone for my son to look at and model his game after.

Quick question if that's allowed -- who was your most memorable pitcher to catch at the AS game?

Keep it up brother and here's to a Dodger-for-life career.

Song: Ned Drives Us Crazy
Original Song: She Drives Me Crazy
By: Fine Young Cannibals
.
My 80's music background is starting to creep through :)
.
We can't stop
The way we feel
Things you do
Don't seem real
Tell you what we've got in mind
Cause we're runnin' out of time
Won't you please set Ned free
This waitin' round's killin ITD
.
Ned drives us crazy
Like no one else
Ned drives us crazy
And we can't help ourselves
.
We can't get
Any rest
People say
We're obsessed
Everything Dodgers that lasts
But to us there's no surprise
What we have, we knew was true
Teams go young, they always do
.
Ned drives us crazy
Like no one else
Ned drives us crazy
And we can't help ourselves
.
We will make it
With home grown
Ned takes a hike
We stay home grown
.
Ned drives us crazy
Like no one else
Ned drives us crazy
And we can't help ourselves
.
Ned drives us crazy
Like no one else
Ned drives us crazy
And we can't help ourselves

Awesome Nelly!!!!®

Another terrific effort nells!!

Russell, first of all, congrats for making it to the All Star game. You did all us Dodger fans proud. And now the baseball world REALLY knows what a gem you are. Your love and enthusiasm for the game is so evident. You "sign your work with excellence" no matter what, and that is what makes you such a stand-out player. All the best to you and yours!
Best regards,
Jeanne (a long-time Dodger fan)

Per Tony Jackson and Diamond Leung, on their blogs:
.
Yhency Brazoban moved to 60-day DL to make room for Jason Johnson whose contract was purchased. Johnson is going to start on Tuesday instead of Chan Ho Park, who will go to the bullpen.
.
westernmost_in_flavor says: You know who Jason Johnson reminds me of, statistically? Brett Tomko. I guess the coaching staff thought Chan Ho looked pretty awful that last start, otherwise Johnson would be in long relief.

That makes room on the 40-man roster. Saito to the 15-day DL makes room on the 25-man roster.
.
Gurnick now reporting this also.

That is my Andre Ethier !!!!!! right on!!!!!!!!

Russell!!!!!!! Fabulous!!!!

Andre is sure a happy boy today. He loves playing in front of his home town.

Good start tonight. Let's turn it on this half.

- M. Kemp singled to left
- A. Ethier doubled to deep right, M. Kemp scored
- R. Martin doubled to first, A. Ethier scored
.
Boy these kids sure can play!

Bad break for us. Come on Andruw

Not picking on Jeff, but that wasn't smart veteran thinking there - was it?

Bad baserunning by Old Grumpy there.

Strikeout #1 for Mr. Jones - hmmm!!

So: the young players and Nomar ignite, Kent with a baserunning blunder, and Jones is as he was before. OK.
.
Kuroda has a nice lead to pitch with.

Hey Boblee - Skins training camp starts Sunday - How are the Boys doing?

Andruw Jones is A O K.
A O = automatic out
K = (via) strikeout

Rats!!®

I'm sorry, but Andruw needs to go back on the DL, NOW!!

No need to apologize, DNel - if anything, we KNOW is bat is definitely disabled.

Thanks sparkeplenty, but this is just pure frustration because you know it the kids who didn't do enough to get more runs on the board to allow for Andruw's error ethier (either).

What the hell happened???

Jones sucks. Kuroda is pitching like hell. This team isnt going anywhere this year without a respectable bat like a jason bay.

kent and jones thats what happend

Did Kent get an error for that play? He has no range what so ever

Hey dnelly, I'm having a hard time waiting for the NFL to get started. Look for good things from the Cowboys. Hard to improve on a 13-3 season but we'll see.

Atleast you follow a good NFL team. The Redskins will suck too this year.

jhall... :)
.
Boblee - the Boys did do well last year, and we had an unexpectantly better year than thought so it will be exciting to say the least to see what they bring this year. I love our division - some good football teams always. It's never a given playing anybody in this division.

Im sorry but if not for Kent and Jones, we should be up 4-0 in this game right now. If we had any other second basemen, Kuroda would have gotten out of that inning without giving up a run.

The management of this team better stop throwing Kemp under the bus and start criticizing those who deserve it. Starting with themselves.

And if you're not going to play LaRoche, for his sake, trade him. He has dominated at every level of the minor leagues and deserves consistent playing time in the majors.

Cowboys pretty deep at every position. We will go as far as Romo can take us, which I hope is the Super Bowl.

this is why were not a good team. we have good pitching but no defense. look at the angels they have good pitching and good defense.

Calling it now. Jason Johnson will suck.

Kent isn't no former goild glove winner and never had the range and he didn't get one.

lol Johnson numbers in Vegas is a fluke.

The real stats more hits than inning pitch.

this is going to be a long game. 2 games back now

swood - if you think the Dodgers suck so bad, maybe you should become a Pirate fan that way you can have your Jason Bay. :)

and nady hes having a good year

hey nice veteran leadership by mr. kent.

first, he doesn't slide or dive back to third - or even break for home, resulting in a inning killing DP. then he can't come up with a ground ball for a inning ending DP. if that was loney or kent, i am sure Joe and he Media would have been questioning their youth and inexperience, esp on the basepaths.

raise your hand if you knew this game was already in doubt when loney hit into the DP in the first!?!

:) Nelly!!

Another Eddie!! LOL!!!

nelly, its not that I hate the Dodgers. I am just really frustrated. I mean there are certain players that I think suck and shouldnt even be on a major league roster, but there are others that I LOVE to watch play. And with reguards to Bay, I see him completely changing the look of our lineup(for the better, obviously). I just think this team needs a spark and I dont think Mattingly will provide it.

You mean a cheap DP with Loney. I knew they was going to tied it up or take the lead after that 1st innings when Kent messed up.

prepress, well said.

I wanted those 3 runs back and 3 more now lol.

Congratulations on a GREAT All-Star game, Russell! Your blocking and tag out at home plate were phenomenal!! And I'd bet that if you were still in the game the AL wouldn't have scored the winning run, either. I think the whole world saw why you should have been the starting catcher. You are a great example of the wonderful Dodger tradition of the past. Keep up the good work!!!

Our offense + 3 run deficit = Game Over

Blah the dback htting only .249 we're hitting .253.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/stats/byteam?cat=Overall

Make him work Ethier.

Bay or anyone else will not help unless they replace Jones and Phew. It doesn't significantly improve the team to replace Ethier or Kemp with Bay and continue to play Jones and/or Phew. If they got Bay and started an outfield of Bay/Kemp/Ethier, it would be a big improvement.

Damn I wanted that walk Ethier.

I agree with you swood, it would be great to have Bay or Holliday (or Sizemore, jhall), but it would have to be at the expense of JP and Jones and not Kemp or Ethier.

Who in the crap wants JP and Jones?

No one Bob. That's the point and the problem.

Shad - even with a strikeout - it was a good at bat for Andre - he worked the count, and made the pitcher work. Yes, I would have loved him to get a hit or a walk, but it was a good at bat for him.

I want more pitchers thrown to Davis come on Nomar take him deep or even walk so Loney could hit a game tying 3 runs homerun.

We are not going to get rid of either one till their contract is up. We're stuck with them. I say keep both of them on the bench. Jones sucks worse than JP and that isn't saying much.

I called that shot yeah was a great at bat

Good Job Nomar!!!!!!!

Just stay healthy Nomar, that's all we ask, plus a few hits and throw in a Hr now and then.

The only thing we may get out of Jones, Phew, Schidt, and the other PVL's is Ned's termination.

An out coming up. This inning is over...

Come on Jones you can redeem yourself.

Go figure take that fool out and put in Young.

How pathetic is that?

Strike out #2 Mr. Jones - hmmmm!!

lol lead off triple **** **** Johnson

Where that defense in the 1st inning Kent?