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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 13, 2018)
Page 4B MLB East Oregonian Saturday, October 13, 2018 JD Martinez holds no grudge against Astros, who released him By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer BOSTON — J.D. Marti- nez wants to thank the Hous- ton Astros — not get back at them — for releasing him when he was struggling to make himself into a star. The Red Sox slugger credits his growing pains in Houston for teaching him “how to fail,” a lesson he credits with transforming him into an MVP candidate who helped Boston win a franchise-record 108 games and reach the AL Champi- onship Series against his for- mer team. “My failures in Hous- ton is what made me who I am,” Martinez said Fri- day, a day before the Astros and Red Sox open the best- of-seven series. “There’s really no animosity there. In a sense they did me a favor by allowing me to leave and play on another team.” It will be the second straight year the Red Sox and Astros meet in the post- season — last year it was the ALDS — and the second straight year that aces Chris Sale will go against Justin Verlander in the opener. The biggest difference this time: Boston has Marti- nez on its side. And the Astros could have. Martinez made his big- league debut for Hous- ton in 2011, driving in 28 runs in his first full month in the majors. After play- ing part time the next two years — hitting 18 homers with 91 RBIs in 199 games — he was 26 years old and batting .167 in the spring of 2014 when the Astros released him, preferring to give the at-bats to top pros- pect George Springer. AP Photo/Charles Krupa Boston Red Sox right fielder J.D. Martinez gestures as he is interviewed prior to a workout at Fenway Park on Friday in Boston. The Red Sox face the Houston Astros in baseball’s American League Championship. ALCS Houston Astros Boston Red Sox Game 1, Sat. 5:09 p.m. Martinez landed with Detroit that season and by 2015 he was an All-Star, hitting 38 homers with 102 RBIs. He hit 45 homers last year, when he was traded from the Tigers to Diamond- backs and was 14th in MVP voting despite playing just 62 games in the NL. “I always believed he’s going to be the player he is right now,” said Astros sec- ond baseman Jose Altuve, the reigning AL MVP, who came up through the minors with Martinez. “He got a AP Photo/Charles Krupa Grounds crew workers prepare the field prior to a workout at Fenway Park on Friday in Boston. The Red Sox face the Houston Astros in Game 1 of baseball’s American League Championship on Saturday. couple of tough years with us in the big leagues. But I think the best thing that hap- pened to him was going to the Tigers and becoming the player that he is. Verlander was Martinez’s teammate in Detroit and said he was “there from the moment he turned his career around.” “He went and completely revamped his swing that off- season, and saw immediate dividends,” Verlander said. “(He) never stopped hit- ting. Seeing somebody like that who works so hard and turned their career around to where he’s at now, as a fel- low player, and you respect it and I’m happy for him. I really am.” Now Martinez is one of the keys — with Mookie Betts, who is expected to edge him for the AL MVP award — on a Red Sox team that won a third straight AL East title but advanced in the playoffs for the first time since 2013, eliminating the rival New York Yankees in the ALDS. The Central Division champion Astros did OK, too, winning their first World Series last year; Springer was Series MVP. So, no hard feelings. “God gave me another opportunity and put me in a good situation with Detroit. And that’s kind of where I continued to grow until where I am today, really,” Martinez said. “And if it wasn’t for that I probably wouldn’t be here right now. Who knows where I would have been?” Saturday night’s opener will be a rematch of Game 1 of the ALDS last year, when the Astros jumped on Sale for seven runs in five innings, including back-to- back homers by Alex Breg- man and Altuve in the first. Altuve added another homer in the fifth. Sale and Verlander each came out of the bullpen in Game 4, with the Red Sox lefty outpitching the Astros ace before tiring in his fifth inning of relief and taking the loss as the Red Sox were eliminated. With the teams meeting one round further along this year, the stakes are even higher. “Obviously, the winner of this one goes to the World Series,” Sale said. “We know who we’re up against. He’s obviously one of the best around, and really good in the postseason.” “My failures in Houston is what made me who I am.” — J.D. Martinez, Boston Red Sox AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File In this June 26 photo, New York Yankees short- stop Didi Gregorius pre- pares to throw to first in Philadelphia. Yankees’ Gregorius needs arm surgery NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees star shortstop Didi Gregorius needs Tommy John surgery on his right elbow after injuring him- self making a throw in Bos- ton during the AL Division Series, and there’s no tell- ing exactly when he’ll be able to play again. General manager Brian Cashman said Friday that Gregorius will be out “until sometime next sum- mer.” Cashman said the team will have a better idea about his return after sur- gery, which hasn’t yet been scheduled. The surprise announce- ment at Yankee Stadium led to immediate specula- tion the team might even- tually make a big move to fill the void — pursuit of All-Star infielder and free agent-to-be Manny Mach- ado, now in the NL play- offs with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the meantime, second baseman Gleyber Torres is the Yankees’ top internal solution at shortstop, Cash- man said. “The best option is Didi,” Cashman said. “We’ll wait on him.” The 28-year-old Gre- gorius is the anchor of the Yankees’ infield, popular with his teammates and a fan favorite. EAST'40OREGON marketplace Place classified ads online at www.eastFSOoregonmarketplace.com or call 1-800-962-2819 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, leave a voicemail and we’ll confirm your ad the next business day. Email us at classiGieds@ eastoregonian.com or fax: 541-278-2680 East Oregonian Deadline is 3 p.m. the day before publication 211 S.E. Byers Ave. 333 E. Main St. We accept: Pendleton, OR 97801 Hermiston, OR 97838 See www.eastFSOoregonmarketplace.com for classified ads from all over Eastern Oregon EAST OREGONIAN • HERMISTON HERALD • BLUE MOUNTAIN EAGLE • WALLOWA COUNTY CHIEFTAIN 104 Special Notices BUYER meets seller every day of the week in the classified columns of this newspaper. Always great for a laugh. Check out the color Comics in the 104 Special Notices PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD ON THE FIRST DAY OF PUBLICATION. While we are happy to make any necessary corrections, we can not be responsible for errors appearing for mul- tiple days. Thank you! 2004 Toyota Corolla CE Front wheel drive, automat- ic, 4 new tires, silver grey, 72k miles. $4950 541-969-9518 219 ATVs/Motorcycles CLASSIFIED LINE AD DEADLINES East Oregonian 3pm the day prior to publication Hermiston Herald 10am Tuesday 1-800-962-2819 classifieds@eastoregonian.com 166 Good Things to Eat Davis Orchards Fruit Stand 9am-5pm Closed Saturdays Apples & Pears 53285 Appleton Road Milton-Freewater, Oregon 541-938-7093 ext 2 GET A JOB... check out the employment &ODVVLÀHGVWRGD\ 184 Personals Contact Dayle or Grace at Call 1-800-522-0255 to subscribe 204 Automobiles classifieds@eastoregonian.com 1-800-962-2819 to place your classified ad! 2016 Honda UTV Honda Pio- neer 1000, 128 miles, extras $14,000. Walla Walla, WA. (509)730-3795 360 Garage Sales ****Trying it again - hoping for SUNSHINE! Misc. household items; some furniture; clothing; last of Estate items 1813 SW 43rd Street Pendle- ton. Sat Oct 13 8am - 3pm LIVING TRUST SALE New stuff, twin size day bed, 4 drawer filing cabinet, Kitchenaid stand mixer, Antique bedroom chair, Hobby & Scrapbooking supplies, floor lamp, kitchen ware, pictures, material, fabric and $1.00 shrubs. 720 SE 9th St. Pendleton 9am-? Friday 10/12 & Saturday 10/13 502 Real Estate 502 Real Estate 504 Homes for Sale 504 Homes for Sale TURN HERE for Profession- al Courteous Representation -Find your new home- 3 or 4 bedroom home, garage or Shop? Call Kerry at Turn Here Realty to find the one on your wishlist. 541-377-6855 TURN HERE REALTY & TRAVEL 305 SW Court Ave Call the “Weekend & After Hours Realtor” to view homes at a con- venient time for you. Available on Short Notice, Special Financ- ing Program Information! Call Matt Vogler, 541.377.9470 John J. Howard & Assoc. (541) 377-9470 $165,000- Super tidy home! Bathrooms and kitchen remod- eled. Hardwood floors, gas log fireplace, newer windows and sidings. Trex deck, garden area, detached garage. Dori 541-310- 1001 cell. #18173717 Coldwell Banker & Associates 541-276-0021 Thinking of selling or buying a home? I am happy to help with all your real estate needs and I am available evenings, week- ends and holidays to accommo- date your busy schedule. Also available on short notice. Call Carolyn Rovier Ranch-N-Home Realty 541-786-0822 504 Homes for Sale Prices are up! Now may be the time to gain some equity and move up to a larger home. Call Matt Vogler for a free Market Analysis. John J. Howard & Assoc. (541) 377-9470 $77,500- Two for the price of one! 2 homes on this lot, total of 1024sf (m/l), 3 bed, 2 bath. Both in really good shape. Outbuild- ing. Jerry 541-969-6378 cell. #18335992 Coldwell Banker & Associates 541-276-0021 RMLS#18437195 Cute 3 b/r 2 bath home on North Hill. Family room or 4th bedroom, deck with awning, hot tub, dog run, ga- rage/shop. all for only $193,000. Call Cathy for more info (541) 215-0103. Garton & Associates 541-276-0931 CLASSIFIEDS ARE the place to EXWLWVHOOLWRUÀQGLW FKHFNXVRXWIRUZKDW\RXQHHG TURN HERE for Seller financ- ing. Call Kerry at 541-377-6855. TURN HERE at 305 SW Court and drop by or call 541-377- 6855 TURN HERE REALTY & TRAVEL 305 SW Court Ave How Much is your Home Worth? Call Matt Vogler, The Week- end and After Hours Realtor, for a free Market Analysis. 541.377.9470. More Listings needed to meet current buyer demand! John J. Howard & Assoc. (541) 377-9470 Current MLS listings include several 3 and 4 bedroom, 2 bath homes for sale in popular loca- tions. Call Matt Vogler, “The Weekend and After Hours Re- altor” for addresses and pricing. John J. Howard & Assoc. 541.377.9470 Classified Ads work hard for you! CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS! Looking for a new place to live? The classified ads offer a complete section of homes, apartments, and mobile homes to fit your needs. Check daily for new listings! $228,500- Charming bungalow. Large living room, formal dining, breakfast nook in kitchen. Back yard entertaining space, fin- ished basement. Dog run and storage shed. Vicki 969-9441 cell. #18091471 Coldwell Banker & Associates 541-276-0021 $239,000- 2080sf(m/l), 3 bed, 3 bath home, a list of the repairs and improvements is available. Living room, family room, office, bonus rooms, updated kitch- en. Marsha 541-377-5152 cell. #18166827 Coldwell Banker & Associates 541-276-0021 $248,500- North Hill/ Great views. 3 bed, 2 bath, 1942sf (m/l) home with 2-car garage, of- fice/ 3rd bedroom, UGS, fenced yard, back patio/ deck. Updated kitchen, roof, HVAC. Kevin 541- 959-8243. #18577079 Coldwell Banker & Associates 541-276-0021 $135,000- Pilot Rock. 3 bed, 1 bath w/ 1072 sf (m/l) w/ attached garage. Fenced back yard w/ dog run, central air heating and cooling, new certified wood stove. Jason 760-409-6842 cell. 18195052 Coldwell Banker & Associates 541-276-0021 $259,900- A slice of paradise! Beautiful, 1-level Pendleton home sitting on almost an acre. Graciously remodeled with love- ly features throughout. 323 NE 4st. Molly 541-969-4188. # 18330541 Coldwell Banker & Associates 541-276-0021 Classified Ads work hard for you!
