Boston’s Martinez Reverses Bad Buzz

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun

BOSTON – There is always some sensation or sizzle swirling around Pedro Martinez. Today, that buzz is the best it’s been in a long, long time, both for Martinez and the Red Sox.


Within the Red Sox-obsessed media maw that envelops the team, commotions result all too often from what the alarmingly frank Martinez says, rather than how he pitched on any particular outing. But on Wednesday night Martinez’s pitching and words came together. In the process he dissolved the disturbing aura of decline and discontent that has surrounded him in recent weeks, as epitomized by his Yankees-are-my-daddy line.


In the Red Sox’ second consecutive thumping of the Angels in Game 2 of their Division Series, Martinez left behind a familiar-looking piece of craftsmanship. He was very good on the mound, holding the Angels to six hits and three runs in his seven innings. And he was great in the post-game press conference, delivering a passionate and eloquent defense of his mental and emotional state.


All told, Pedro left no doubt that his stuff and his fire are back. For the Red Sox, there could be no better omen for their brightening chances the rest of October.


First, the pitcher. Uncharacteristically chewing gum as he strode to the mound for his first postseason appearance since he staggered out of Yankee Stadium in Game 7 of the ALCS last October, Martinez came out firing from the first pitch, a 92-mph fastball to Chone Figgins.


Martinez has customarily started games this season with a high-80s fastball, but he consistently and effectively threw in the low to mid-90s yesterday. He breezed through the first inning after carefully walking his former Montreal charge, Vladimir Guerrero. Spotted to a 1-0 lead, Martinez allowed the Angels to tie it up in the second, when Jeff DaVanon sent a game-high 96 mph fastball into left field, and Dallas McPherson drove him in with a bloop single.


Guerrero got to Martinez in the fifth with a two-run single that put the Angels up, 3-1, but the Red Sox tied the game in the sixth and then went ahead, 4-3, in the seventh. Martinez stayed in the game and it was then – with a late lead to protect and visions of Grady Little flaring up – that the pitcher proved that reports of his decaying skills could use a re-write.


Still chewing his gum, his eyes exuding a lethal death stare at batters, and working with a more buoyant and precise delivery, Martinez went to work. With one out, the pesky David Eckstein came up to the plate and began a 12-pitch at-bat that featured nothing but fastballs.


The first four were all 90 mph, the next two at 93, the next two at 94, one at 93, another 95, another 93. Eckstein kept fouling off Martinez’s offerings, persistently slicing them into the stands up and down the right-field line. Martinez, meanwhile, was defiant in his belief that his fastball was good enough to get out Eckstein. It was: His last pitch was another 95 mph fastball, one that Eckstein finally got around on enough to fly out into left field.


As Eckstein circled around first base to trot back to the dugout, his path took him just behind Martinez, whose back was turned as he awaited the caught ball to be returned. Without looking, Martinez slapped his glove behind him to whack Eckstein on the thigh, an unspoken appreciation for the battle that had just been waged.


The last batter Martinez faced was Figgins. Again, the at bat was prolonged, lasting 10 pitches, with Figgins fouling off pitch after pitch. On the 10th pitch, Figgins swung underneath a 93 mph fastball for the third out. Twenty of Martinez’ final 22 pitches were fastballs, none registering below 90 mph.


Coming after Martinez’s “daddy” declaration, the Game 1 designation for Curt Schilling sparked intense speculation in Boston about a supposed strain in the relationship between the aces. Red Sox observers wondered about Martinez’s self-esteem, not to mention his stuff, and he did nothing to quell the hullabaloo by refusing to show up for a news conference on Tuesday.


Before boarding the team’s charter flight back to Boston after Game 2, Martinez filled in the few blanks not answered with his performance. Speaking calmly but unable to conceal his pride and delight, he felt freed to unload. He and Schilling are doing fine, he said, and of course Schilling deserved to be no. 1. But that wasn’t all.


“You know, I was no. 1 today,” said Martinez. “That’s all that matters to me. I don’t believe in what the experts from out here have to say. I am just here to do my job. I get paid to do my job, and I do it anywhere they choose to put me. I actually shut my mouth, I ate my ego, because I wanted to let go on some of these experts around here talking trash, and I swallowed it, because to me, anytime they give me the ball, I am special. I am the no. 1.”


The co-no. 1 concluded with, “I know I achieved a lot, and I know I have my little share of respect, but when you talk about playoffs, there is no time to be mad, there is no time to complain, there is no soreness that you can’t overcome or pain, sometimes, and I hope I continue to do it. I am going to leave my heart out there for my team.”


With Schilling, the bullpen, and the offense already clicking, having Martinez’s heart, mind, and body joining the chorus is the stuff of October dreams. For Red Sox Nation, notching nine more victories seems like no stretch at all.



Mr. Silverman covers the Red Sox for the Boston Herald.


The New York Sun

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use