Pedro Martinez Retires: A Look Back at His Greatness

While Pedro Martinez has not played a game since 2009, according to a report by Fox Sports, the time has come for him to formally announce his retirement.

The 18-year veteran was one of the most dominant pitchers in his prime, racking up several accomplishments and a World Series ring.  Here is a look at some of his accomplishments during his illustrious career.

1993: A Star Is Born

In 1993 Martinez came in 9th in Rookie of the Year voting.  Sure, that may not sound impressive, but by all accounts his statistics were excellent, especially for a rookie.

Appearing in 65 games that season, Martinez posted a 10-5 record with 1 save.  He pitched a total of 107 innings, and maintained a 2.61 with a WHIP of 1.243.

Martinez managed to strike out 119 batters in just 107 innings. Truly a sign of things to come.

First All Star Appearance

In 1996 Martinez made his first All-Star team (but did not play in the game).  In 33 games he posted a 13-10 record for the Montreal Expos.  He pitched 216.2 innings with 4 complete games and 1 shutout.

Martinez posted a 3.70 ERA with a WHIP of 1.195 racking up 222 strikeouts, tied for 4th overall with Jeff Fassero.

1997: First Cy Young Award

1997 saw Pedro Martinez dominate the National League.  There is no other way to describe it.  He made his second consecutive All-Star selection (this time pitching one inning and racking up two strikeouts) while also obtaining his first ever Cy Young Award.

Martinez went 17-8 with a 1.90 ERA and 305 strikeouts.  His ERA lead all of the majors.

He played in 31 games and had a league leading 13 complete games and added 4 shutouts.  His WHIP was 0.932... nobody could touch him.

1999: The Year of Pedro

In Boston it is believed that Justin Verlander should not have won the MVP in 2011 if Martinez did not win it in 1999.  Pedro Martinez was majestic that season.  In his second year pitching for the Red Sox, Martinez won his second Cy Young Award and placed 2nd in MVP voting (losing out to Ivan Rodriguez.)

1999 saw Pedro lead the league with wins, posting a 23-4 record.  He lead the league in ERA with a 2.07.  strikeouts with 313. and he lead the league in WHIP with a 0.923.

Martinez appeared in 31 games, managed 5 complete games and 1 shutout.

In his 4th All-Star game appearance (at Fenway Park no less) he not only started the game, but struck out 5 of the 6 players he faced in his 2 innings of work.

New Millenium, Just Another Cy Young Award

In 2000, Pedro Martinez followed up his historic 1999 season with another one for the ages, bringing him his 3rd (and final) Cy Young award and 5th All-Star game appearance.

In 29 games Martinez went 18-6 with a league leading 1.74 ERA, the lowest in his career.  He pitched 7 complete games with a league leading 4 shutouts.  In 218 innings pitched, Martinez struck out a league leading 284 batters and posted the lowest WHIP of his career as well, 0.737.  

Nobody was hitting Pedro, nobody.

2004: A Champion at Last!

In 2004 Martinez played a large part in reversing the curse of the Bambino in Boston.  While his numbers were up as he was starting to enter the declining years of his career, he still put up pretty statistics to help the Red Sox win their first World Series since 1918.

Martinez appeared in 33 games, putting up a 16-9 record with 1 complete game and 1 shutout.  His ERA was 3.90 while posting a WHIP of 1.171 in 217 innings.

His 227 strikeouts that season would be good enough for 6th overall.  2004 would also prove to be Martinez's final year in Boston.

Final All-Star Appearance

In 2006, Martinez the Met would make the final All-Star game selection of his career, but he was injured an unable to participate.

In just 23 games Martinez would put up a 9-8 record with a 4.48 ERA and a WHIP of 1.108.  Accuracy would never prove to be an issue for Martinez.

Martinez would strike out 137 batters in 132.2 innings of service.

His finals two years in New York would be riddled with injuries and his service time dwindled.  Many believed him to be retired after 2008...

2009: The Comeback Kid

Pedro Martinez signed a Roger Clemens-esque contract with the Philadelphia Phillies in July of 2009, in an effort to help the Phillies repeat as World Series champions.

Coming in for the last half of the season and pitching in just 9 games, Martinez would put up a 5-1 record and record an ERA of 3.63 and a WHIP of 1.254.  He struck out 37 batters in 44.2 innings of work.

While the Phillies would go on to lose in the World Series to the Yankees in 2009, Martinez proved to be a valuable asset for them throughout the playoffs, putting up a 3.71 ERA and 16 strikeouts in just 17 innings of work.  While he lost his two World Series games that year, Martinez still went out on top in my book.

Riding off into the Sunset

April 4, 2010 Martinez found himself back at Fenway Park to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Red Sox season opener.  The fans in Boston warmly welcomed him back.  The 8-time All-Star racked up several awards over  his 18 year career, including 1997 NL Cy Young, 1997 NL TSN Pitcher of the Year,
1999 ML AS MVP, 1999 AL Cy Young, 1999 AL Triple Crown, 1999 AL TSN Pitcher of the Year, 2000 AL Cy Young, and 2000 AL TSN Pitcher of the Year.

The question now is not if Martinez will be elected in to the Hall of Fame, the question is, will he sign a one-day contract with the Red Sox so that #45 can join its rightful place beyond Pesky Pole.

Thanks for the memories Pedro.