“Pedro! Pedro! Pedro!”
Those chants still echo within the confines of Fenway Park for the legend and now hall of famer. Pedro did not only have a major impact with the Boston Red Sox's baseball team; he also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Montreal Expos, the New York Mets, and the Philadelphia Phillies.
Standing at an overlooked 5’ 11” and 175 pounds soaking wet, Pedro was never the most physically intimidating pitcher. But when Pedro was born, the Gods blessed him with a thunderbolt for an arm. During his prime years he threw as hard as 99 MPH, accompanied with an absolutely filthy curveball, and a devastating change-up. His career totals stand at 219 wins, 100 losses, a 2.93 earned run average, 3,154 strikeouts, and three Cy Young awards. The very prestigious 3,000 strikeout club only consists of 16 players; Pedro being one of the them.
Pedro was one of the most dominating pitchers of the steroid era in baseball. In the steroid era, while with the Boston Red Sox, Pedro dominated hitters. In his seven year stint with the Red Sox he won 117 games, had a 2.52 ERA, 1,683 strikeouts, and won two Cy Young awards in 1999 and 2000. The Cy Young award is awarded to the pitcher who performed the best during the course of the season in both the American and National League.
The most illustrious of his performances during that time period would have to be during the 1999 MLB All-Star Game. Pedro started the game and struck the first five batters. Who were these first five batters you may ask? Arguably five of the most prodigious hitters during the 1999 season in the National League: Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, Larry Walker, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Jeff Bagwell.
Pedro’s tenure with the Red Sox culminated in the best way possible any major leaguer could think of. In the 2004 season after battling injuries in seasons previous, Pedro helped the Boston Red Sox finally overcome “the Curse of the Bambino (Babe Ruth),” winning the World Series. This was the only World Series trophy Pedro was able to be a part of winning, but if you could win one in your career, helping a team win its first World Series title since 1918 would be the way to do it. Since just recently being inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame, Pedro’s number (45) will be retired by the Red Sox to honor his achievements with the team.
A small boy from humble beginnings in the Dominican Republic, Pedro Martinez achieved a great deal as a major league pitcher. Not only did he dominate on the field, he was also a great teammate and a jokester in the club house. He brought joy to his teammates and fans alike. He is and always will be one of my favorite baseball players of all time. So, just like so many others fans, I would like to thank you, Pedro Martinez, for some of the best baseball I ever had the privilege to witness. Your dominance and style as a pitcher was an inspiration to me during my playing days. From all of your fans around the world, thank you and congratulations on your most deserved induction into the baseball Hall of Fame.
