Weighing in on Martinez

INCREDIBLY, according to the Phillies' media guide and website, reserve infielder/outfielder Michael Martinez weighs 145 pounds.

Junior varsity players in high school weigh more than that. But if it were true - and why should we doubt it, given the source? - Martinez was not only the lightest player on the Phillies (25 pounds lighter than Jimmy Rollins and Wilson Valdez at 170 pounds), he was the lightest player in baseball. The closest would be Jonathan Herrera (Rockies) at 150 pounds.

To get to the bottom of this, we stopped by Citizens Bank Park last week and asked manager Charlie Manuel: "Could it be possible that Michael Martinez actually weighs 145 pounds?"

Manuel began to answer, but spotted Martinez, who was running off the field at the end of batting practice. With a laugh, Manuel asked him, "What do you weigh?"

Martinez replied, "175 pounds."

Perplexed, we asked him: "Why does it say 145 in the media guide?"

"That was what I weighed when I first signed," he said.

The error predates Martinez' time with the Phillies, who selected him in the Rule 5 draft last offseason. It has simply followed him since he began his career.

- Mark Kram

For the last three seasons, the Lakewood BlueClaws have changed their name to the "BruceClaws" for a one-night tribute to Bruce Springsteen. When the annual tribute comes Saturday at FirstEnergy Park, the team will add a memorial patch to its "BruceClaws" jerseys, paying tribute to recently deceased saxophonist Clarence Clemons, who also will be honored in a pregame ceremony. The game will be preceded by a 90-minute performance by tribute band E Street Shuffle, and Springsteen's music will play over the speakers all night.

Fans can check out the "Born to Run" fire truck, recently purchased by Springsteen for the local Freehold Fire Department.

- Daily News staff report