C Martin ready to push new-look Pirates forward - WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren Ohio

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - Russell Martin is not frightened by the Pittsburgh Pirates' streak of 20 consecutive losing seasons.

After spending the past two years with the New York Yankees, Martin, a catcher, joined the Pirates in November. Tuesday, he worked out for the first time with his new teammates in spring training camp.

Martin is eager to get going with his new club, and says "everybody's in first place right now. Whatever happened in the past, you can't change it. But what you can do is get your mind right and ready for the season coming up. If we all do that, we can change history."

Finding a new catcher was the Pirates' top offseason priority, and they were quick to give Martin a 2-year, $17 million offer. He took the deal, becoming 1 of the first free agents to switch teams last winter.

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