More Pedro Martinez Boston Red Sox moments

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

Was Pedro Martinez the best pitcher the Red Sox ever had? From 1997-2003 he may have been the best pitcher in baseball history. A pitching Picasso, who was as skilled with a baseball as a highly recognized surgeon is with a scalpel.

When Pedro operated it was with superb control with every pitch in his command. Even when Pedro’s best “stuff” was among the missing he was capable of dominating.

I have been fortunate enough to see the greatest pitchers of the last sixty years and that is certainly a long list of accomplished talents: Nolan Ryan, Warren Spahn, Bob Gibson, Felix Hernandez, Sandy Koufax, Greg Maddux, Juan Marichal, Whitey Ford, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson and many that I have omitted.

Pedro was the best I ever saw.

BSI’s Sean Penny covered some of the more magnificent pitching memories and I will now focus on some other memorable Pedro moments that I can recall.

Aug 14, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox former pitcher Pedro Martinez flips a baseball as part of the Red Sox Hall of Fame Class of 2014 before the game against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome back to Boston (June 28, 2006).

Pedro’s last Boston win was in game three of the 2004 World Series and then it was off to sign with the Mets. Pedro did “come home” to pitch in 2006 as a Mets starter.

The stat line was not what you would expect from Pedro: Three innings, seven hits, eight runs (six earned), two walks and a lone strikeout. The final score was 10-2 with Martinez getting his fourth loss of the season to drop his record to 7-4. That was just about it for 2006.

Martinez made two visits to the DL and eventually had arm surgery.

May 28, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox former pitcher Pedro Martinez walks onto 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 three of the 2003 ACLS (October 11, 2003).

Karim Garcia in the fourth inning gets plunked by Martinez and that starts a verbal exchange with the Yankee bench. Martinez, who had already given up three runs, points to his head.

Don Zimmer, a former Red Sox manager, had a metal plate in his head as the result of a beaning in the minors. The Gerbil nearly died from that and had also had a few other hit by pitches that resulted in serious injury. Zimmer interpreted Pedro’s gesture as just that – beanball.

Popeye charged the mound in a hilarious attempt to confront Pedro who deftly stepped aside and pushed the 72-year-old Zimmer to the ground.

Neither Zimmer nor Pedro ever reconciled this incident.

Oct 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (left) hands a ball to former pitcher Pedro Martinez for the ceremonial first pitch prior to game two of the MLB baseball World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

September 24, 2004

Another loss to the Yankees and in this one Pedro went 7.1 innings allowing five runs. This was symptomatic of Pedro and the Red Sox when they faced New York together. Some memorable highlights, but the reality is Boston lost more than they won when Pedro faced New York.

After the game Pedro made a quote that will live in baseball infamy.

“They beat me. They’re that good right now. They’re that hot. I just tip my hat and call the Yankees my Daddy.”

That was all the New York fans needed as the chant of “Whose you Daddy” resounded in New York until Johnny Damon hit a grand slam in game seven of the ALCS.

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.