J.D. Martinez has established himself as one of Major League Baseball’s best hitters in recent seasons, but his personality generally won’t get people talking.
You’ll rarely get a lively soundbite out of Martinez. Instead, the veteran outfielder simply goes about his business and produces at a high rate on the field.
But while this might come as a surprise, it appears Martinez is embracing a leadership role in his first season with the Boston Red Sox. Fans and media alike probably won’t get too much of a glimpse into this, but it sounds like Martinez’s presence is felt in the clubhouse.
“Do I think I’m quiet personally?” Martinez said, per NBC Sports Boston’s Evan Drellich. “I think I’m quiet as far as media-wise and as far as attention outside of the locker room, outside of the field. I think in the locker room, amongst my teammates, I’m not quiet. But I think outside of that, as far as going to the media and being more (outspoken), that’s not me. I’ve never been one like that.
“My dad has always told me, never be one to talk. You’re talking with your bat. Your bat and your glove. You never go out there … and say bad things about certain people, and bad things about certain things and stuff like that. That’s never been me. I always say (if there is something negative being said about me), ‘Okay, that’s how you feel, great.’ Kind of walk away, and I play with it. Gives me that fuel, gives me that fire. I say go out there and prove everybody wrong with my bat and my glove.”
At the end of the day, the Red Sox didn’t bring Martinez in to be wildly entertaining. So as long as he plays like the superstar he’s shown to be, they’ll surely be more than happy with their marquee free-agent signing.
