Buddha Martin

April 14

There is a new addition to the team. Major League’s Cuban slugger Pedro Cerrano had JoBu. Vassar baseball has Buddha Martin. Named after our head coach, Jon Martin, Buddha Martin is a miniature Buddha figurine that rocks shades and a prime spot in the dugout. Rub his stomach for good luck, talk to him when you’re in a slump or press the button on his back to hear a recording of freshman pitcher Race Bottini imitate the coach’s favorite phrase, “Act as if!” Buddha Martin is guaranteed to get your team wins or you’ll get your money back!

Buddha Martin came with us on our trip to St. Lawrence this past weekend for four games in two days. And although we came away with only one victory, we are playing good baseball! Had we limited one big inning here or there, each of those losses could have been victories. There is definitely a new team attitude. We run on to the field to start the game not thinking we are going to win, but rather, knowing we are going to win. We all know that Buddha Martin has no actual bearing on the outcome of the game but it acts as a symbol of all of us coming together to form a team and believing in one thing. This transformation won’t happen overnight. But as was apparent in our victory at SUNY Purchase and then our road trip up to St. Lawrence, and last night’s win over SUNY New Paltz, we are taking large steps in the right direction.