17-Strikeout gem at Yankee Stadium (September 10, 1999)
May 20, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher former pitcher Pedro Martinez shows his World Series rings prior to a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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Martinez wasn’t phased a bit as he entered enemy territory to take on the rival Yankees. This was Pedro at his most dominant, as he mowed down 17 batters to set a new career-high in strikeouts. He allowed only one hit, a solo shot to Chili Davis, but was otherwise untouchable en route to a 3-1 victory.
This was arguably one of Martinez’s greatest starts, which came at the tail end of perhaps his most dominant season. Pedro finished the ’99 season with a league best 2.07 ERA and 313 strikeouts. He would end up finishing second in MVP voting behind Texas Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriguez when two writers left Pedro off their ballot because they refused to consider a pitcher for the award.