Pedro Martinez to Have No. 45 Retired by Red Sox: Date, Comments and Reaction

Two days after Pedro Martinez's body of work is enshrined in Cooperstown, his No. 45 will be put to rest for good at Fenway Park.  

The Boston Red Sox announced Monday that they will retire Martinez's number in a ceremony before their July 28 game against the Chicago White Sox. Martinez, 43, will headline a Hall of Fame class that also includes Randy Johnson, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio among the modern-day electees.

"To be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame upon his first year of eligibility speaks volumes regarding Pedro's outstanding career, and is a testament to the respect and admiration so many in baseball have for him," Red Sox owner John W. Henry said in a statement, per the release.

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

One of the most eclectic pitchers of his generation, Martinez is one of the best pitchers in Red Sox history. He compiled a 117-37 record in seven seasons, posting a 2.52 ERA and a strikeout rate of nearly 11 batters per nine innings. His 1999 campaign, during which he went 23-4 with a 2.07 ERA and 313 strikeouts, is arguably one of the best in baseball history.

Martinez would go on to play an instrumental role in breaking Boston's World Series curse in 2004. John Buccigross of ESPN noted Martinez could be the first of many players from that team whose number gets retired:

Martinez left the Red Sox following the 2004 campaign, signing a lucrative deal with the New York Mets. Struggling with a multitude of arm injuries, Martinez won just 32 games in four years in New York. He retired after an brief stint with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009, finishing with eight All-Star appearances and three Cy Young Awards, a majority of which came in Boston.

After his retirement, Martinez briefly worked in the Red Sox organization before becoming a full-time analyst for the MLB Network.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.