Pedro’s Act, Or Is He Happier
It goes without saying that Pedro Martinez was very missed this past season on the Red Sox roster. His 217 regular season innings matched his previous year’s total, and he didn’t pitch the last two starts he would’ve been scheduled for had he not calle dit a season early since the Mets weren’t contenders. But, does that mean his body is still as fragile as ever? His August and September statistics might indicate so.
Pedro, on the other hand, wants the world to believe he is in great shape, ready to continue his Hall of Fame career. So much so that he wants to play in the Dominican Winter league and at the WBC in March, instead of Spring training with the Mets. Can his arm take it? Will he remain nearly as dominant as he was this year?
Pedro’s been compared to Koufax a bit in his career. If not for similarly staggering statistics ( ERA, strikeouts, etc.), then for his small build and high velocity. As we know, Koufax’s career was incredibly short (10 years) for his talent. Pedro has outlasted Koufax in duration, but certainly he’s well past his prime.
All that said, what is Pedro’s intentions? Are his motivations and training regiments because of bitterness towards the Sox for not signing him? Or is it Pedro being Pedro and wanting to play longer and at top form?
I guess time will tell, if not Pedro’s mouth.
October 19th, 2005 at 1:44 pm
You beat me to writing about this. Oh well. I just wanted to add that I think Pedro may be trying to change my mind, about him being the greediest player in the game. But he may be using this for some good PR. I would think that the Mets would make him choose one or the other ( WBC or Winter Ball), or neither at all.
October 19th, 2005 at 2:01 pm
Well, I think greediest player could probably go to Clemens, who just wants to be the highest paid pitcher in history (this year’s Clemens salary had to beat last year’s Pedro salary). Why else would he up his salary demands after signing with Houston for so little prior to this year?
October 19th, 2005 at 2:21 pm
All the Rocket did was collect on how little he got paid in 04′ and if you think about it evened out over a two year period. Besides why shouldn’t the highest paid pitcher tag go to arguably the greatest pitcher to play the game?
October 19th, 2005 at 3:49 pm
Clemens was and is good, but I don’t think I’d consider him the greatest pitcher to play the game. Take a look at two futre hall of famers and how they compare to the rest of the ‘great’ pitchers. One had a stretch of “godly” greatness, with post-season heroics and unimaginable brilliance. As much as I like Clemens, I don’t think he ever brought the magic out of the 80’s decade, despite putting up some great seasons of late. And, I don’t even think Clemens breaks the top 25 starting pitchers ERAs of all time. In fact, I don’t think that number even goes over 3.00 (correct me if I’m wrong)
Career ERA: 3.18
W/L %: 66%
WHIP: 1.01
BAA: .238
vs. Pedro
Career ERA: 2.82
W/L %: 71%
WHIP: .95
BAA: .209
But then again, who knows? Maybe the Rocket’s just hitting his stride 20 years into his career.