Boston Red Sox: Top 5 offseason moves in franchise history
By Jack Rubin
To Montreal: RHP Carl Pavano, RHP Tony Armas
To Boston: RHP Pedro Martinez
There was never, and will never be anyone like Pedro. When he pitched, the atmosphere at Fenway Park was comparable to a rock concert. Pedro pitched like his life depended on every strike, and never backed down.
This 1997 trade was the most important trade in franchise history. Martinez was there in ’04, but it was what he did before that makes this the best offseason trade. Pedro was the bedrock of the 2004 team, the guy who knew Boston best. He was the man who put everything into motion. Without him, Boston baseball would still be stuck in the 20th century.
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The numbers speak for themselves with Pedro. Martinez is one of ten to ever win three or more Cy Young Awards, two of which came in back to back seasons with the Sox. In 1999, he fired off ten straight games with at least ten strikeouts. He never lost more than nine games in a season in his seven seasons with the Red Sox, compiling a 117-37 record and posting an absurd 10.9 K/9 figure.
Pedro had plenty of iconic Red Sox moments as well. Though he was winding down during the 2004 campaign, his fiery on-field personality and goofy off-field character were everpresent. Oh, and we also have him to thank for Big Papi falling into our laps.
On a topical note, Pedro’s numbers against Chipper Jones are ridiculous. The recently elected first-ballot Hall of Famer garnered 97 percent of the vote. However, Martinez limited Jones to 10 hits in 49 at-bats.
That’s Pedro.