The Power of Selective Memory

Russell Martin is a shoe aficionado, and like most athletes, he's a fan of Michael Jordan.

So in this, the worst season of his career—with his batting average at .189 entering Monday night's game against the Baltimore Orioles—Martin has been reading about Jordan and his sneaker empire. Even though Jordan made his name in basketball, Martin is searching for some insight into his success—and some cool tales about shoes.

Jordan famously always found something new to motivate him on a given day. Something to get angry about, fight against or overcome.

So instead of thinking about how miserable 2012 has been and the failures he has had so far, Martin is trying to craft a Jordanesque focus, caring only about what will make him great that day.

"You can trick your mind into feeling better than you actually should at times," Martin said. "Finding ways to motivate you on days when you don't feel too good. Michael Jordan was big on that—people don't understand the importance of finding out what motivates them on a given day. What can make you have the edge, in that mental aspect."

For too much of this year, Martin hasn't done that. He has stared at his disappointing batting average on the scoreboard and let it get to him.

"It used to bother me," he said. "But honestly, I don't give a crap anymore. It is what it is.

"That's the kind of thoughts you need to eliminate from your mind. That's what I was battling with before, and that's the kind of thoughts you need to eliminate from your mind."

So Martin has tried to mimic Jordan's approach of focusing on the moment, finding some reason to conquer the enemy that day, and not looking at the broader picture.

"Wondering why it's not happening? I'm done with that," Martin said. "I'm just going to go out there and perform. Period."

Well, that and work harder. Since the All-Star break, Martin has started working harder than before, taking more swings and doing additional drills with second baseman Robinson Cano and hitting coach Kevin Long. He believes it has helped, and others have taken notice, especially manager Joe Girardi.

"We've said all along we thought his at-bats the second half have been really good. We see a different hitter," Girardi said.

Martin has raised his average 10 points and hit four home runs in the two weeks since the All Star break, which counts as progress when you're still south of .200.

Martin is also tired of hearing that he can contribute with his defense when he doesn't get it done with his bat. Enough with that, he said. It is an excuse.

"I feel like it's an excuse for me not hitting. I can always play defense and I can always hit. I'm expected to do that. I'm just doing what I'm supposed to do. On offense, I'm not. But I'm starting to. And that's gratifying," Martin said.

But is it too little too late? Martin has already slipped into a timeshare with backup Chris Stewart, with Stewart catching two of every five games now. And 287 at-bats into the season, even a monumental surge would leave Martin with an ugly season on his resume—another black mark for a catcher who has been a three-time All Star, yet also had several puzzling years. Though still just 29, Martin has hit .250 or worse each of the past three seasons.

This year's struggles couldn't have occurred at a worse time. Martin will be a free agent after this season; beforehand, he was discussing a multiyear contract extension with the Yankees. Suddenly, his bargaining position is dubious—and the Yankees need to weigh whether they want to commit to a player capable of such dramatic swings in performance.

But in keeping with his new focus on the moment, Martin says that is the furthest thing from his mind—that if this team wins the World Series, all will work out for the best.

"I don't care—I honestly do not care what happens next season," Martin said, punctuating each word for emphasis. "I can't say that enough. I Do. Not. Care.

"I want to win this year. If we win, I win, obviously. And that's all I care about."