May 28, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox former pitcher Pedro Martinez walks on the field as part of the 10 year celebration of the 2004 Boston Red Sox before the game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Game two of 2004 ACLS (October 13, 2004).
The previous day it was Curt Shilling taking a loss and now it was Pedro’s turn in a 3-1 loss to the Yankees. After the game Martinez didn’t run and hide – he never really did.
The post-game comment was another Pedro moment that will be a classic.
"“I actually realized that I felt like somebody important, because I caught the attention of 60,000, plus you guys, plus the whole world, watching a guy that is, you reverse the time back 15 years ago, I was sitting under a mango tree without 50 cents to pay for a bus. And today, I was the center of attention of the whole city of New York. I thank God for that, and you know what? I don’t regret one bit what they do out there.”"
Martinez certainly came a long way from the mango tree as now he gets baseball’s highest honor. The quote shows a perspective that I just admire.