Pedro Martinez enshrined in the baseball Hall of Fame
July 26, 2015
The Hall of Fame Class of 2015 included four of the greatest players of this era, but it was Pedro Martinez that stole the show at the induction ceremony. The former Red Sox ace gave an excellent speech that showcased his goofy sense of humor as much as the pride he has in his career accomplishments and his Dominican heritage.
.@45pedromartinez stole the show at #HOFWKND: http://t.co/dhg0Vejbxs pic.twitter.com/ypFh76rbQ9
— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 27, 2015
In earning an even 500 votes (91.1%), Martinez joined Randy Johnson (97.3%) and John Smoltz (82.9%) as first-ballot inductees this year. Craig Biggio (82.7%) also joined the Class of ’15 on his third year on the ballot.
Martinez’s induction was a special moment for Red Sox fans. While he didn’t finish his career here in Boston, this is where he spent his prime years. During his seven seasons with the Red Sox Martinez won 117 games while posting a 2.52 ERA and 10.95 K/9. He produced a 51.8 WAR during that span, which stands as the third most ever from a Red Sox pitcher. He won a pair of Cy Young awards in Boston, was selected to four All-Star appearances and was a vital part of winning a World Series title in 2004.
This year Martinez became the first Hall of Fame inductee to be enshrined wearing a Red Sox cap since Jim Rice in 2009. It also made him only the second Hall of Famer that primarily played for this franchise to be inducted in the last decade.
The Red Sox honored his induction by retiring his No. 45 at Fenway two days after he was enshrined in Cooperstown.
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