Soccer and Knuckleballs?

By Eddie Michels on February 25, 2015

Jose Bautista and other boys of summer getting some soccer in (EDDIE MICHELS PHOTO)

RUSSELL IN FOR A RUTHIAN YEAR? EDDIE DOES THE REVERSE/REVERSE OF THE OLD 1948 BABE RUTH PHOTO. RUTH’S LAST GAME AT YANKEE STADIUM THERE WAS A PHOTO TAKEN FROM BEHIND RUTH SHOWING ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHING RUTH.

Russell Martin, the new Toronto Blue Jays catcher catches knuckle baller R.A. Dickey for the first time on Wednesday February 25, 2015. With Martin learning to catch Dickey almost the entire press corps covering the Blue Jays where there to watch. “It’s not an easy task but doable,” said Martin of catching the knuckleball at a press conference afterwards, “I was impressed with the way I was able to catch it and not struggle to much.” As to his approach to catching the knuckler he said, “The knuckle you have to follow the ball all the way there. You go in with an open mind, I knew it was going to be tough, it was going to be work. This is new to me.” Hall of Fame broadcaster and former major league catcher Bob Uecker had a different approach to catching a knuckleball pitcher. “When the ball got by me I waited until it stopped rolling then I picked it up.”
(EDDIE MICHELS PHOTO)

Martin said to Dickey when they were done, "l 'll get better." (EDDIE MICHELS PHOTO)

RA Dickey (EDDIE MICHELS PHOTO)

EDDIE MICHELS PHOTO

Don’t that knuckler get away, backhand it! Martin said to Dickey when they were done, “l ‘ll get better.” (EDDIE MICHELS PHOTO)

Jose Bautista gets a intense soccer workout (EDDIE MICHEL PHOTO)

Jose Bautista gets a intense soccer workout. This guy deserves a ring. Entering his 12 MLB season, Bautista had a solid 2014, playing 155 games, batting .286 with 35 homers and 103 RBI. Best since his monster 2010 year when he played 161 games, crushing a MLB best 54 homers with 124 RBI. In 2014 Bautista finished 4th in AL MVP voting behind Josh Hamilton, Miguel Cabrera and Robinson Cano. (EDDIE MICHEL PHOTO)