In the wake of the (not entirely) shocking revelations brought about by George Mitchell’s report on performance enhancing drugs in baseball I feel the need to point something out. So, for the moment, I will wipe the smirk off my face that has been plastered on since Roidgah Clemens’ spot was finally blown up and bring take the time to point out just how truly remarkable Pedro Martinez’s career truly was. It is no stretch to consider Petey as one of the greatest pitchers of all-time even before the Mitchell Report and BALCO scandals broke, but I think when re-evaluated, Martinez’s accomplishments are downright mind-blowing.
Pedro gained worldwide recognition he deserved after winning the 1997 Cy Young Award and then subsequently being traded by the toiling Montreal Expos to the baseball crazed city of Boston and the Red Sox. Over the next few years he amassed what can arguably be called the greatest stretch of pitching the world has ever seen. Seriously, only Sandy Koufax’s run comes close. You can check out his numbers here (http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/martipe02.shtml) While the numbers are certainly staggering and paint a picture of dominance, they do not do justice to just how good Pedro was. Year after year, he electrified the ballpark and was so far ahead of everyone else that it was almost unfair. He won two additional Cy Young’s with the Sox and was screwed out of one when it went to Barry Zito, who was inferior in almost every stat except wins. Pedro’s 1999 season is probably the greatest pitching season of all time and he received the most first place MVP votes but was inexplicably left off the ballot altogether by a couple disgraceful voters. Pedro’s starts were the stuff of legend, from the greatest display of all-star game pitching in 99 at Fenway to his 17 K one hitter in Yankee Stadium to his near career-sacrificing 6 innings of no hit ball in the deciding game 5 of the 99 ALDS against the Indians (and let’s face it, he just hasn’t been quite the same since).
Put in the context of all of the steroid revelations that have dominated baseball over the past couple of years, Pedro’s numbers become even more awe-inspiring. He was dominating in the golden age of offense, rendering ‘roided up sluggers utterly helpless with his devastating arsenal of three A+ pitches. His legendary all star game performance is even more impressive when viewed through the lens that we now see Sosa and McGwire through. Pedro Martinez dominated the game when offense was out of control, and can say with a clear conscience that he competed fairly. When Pedro is inducted I will be there, telling my child to pay attention to the greatest pitcher in the history of the game.
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