Red Sox Flashback: Catching up with former pitcher Bret Saberhagen
By Sean Penney
Former Red Sox pitcher Bret Saberhagen talks to BoSox Injection about his time in Boston and reinventing himself for the final stage of his career.
Bret Saberhagen was an accomplished pitcher long before he came to the Boston Red Sox. He was a three-time All-Star, two-time Cy Young winner and a World Series MVP. His greatest highlights were from his earlier years with the Kansas City Royals yet Saberhagen still has fond memories of his time in Boston.
The year that stands out most from Saberhagen’s time with the Red Sox was 1999. Boston hosted the All-Star Game that year, bringing a lot of buzz to the city. The team made a memorable postseason run that came up short in the ALCS against a Yankees team in the midst of a dynasty.
1999 was also Saberhagen’s best statistical season of his four in Boston. He went 10-6 with a 2.95 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 22 starts. He struck out 81 batters and only walked 11 for a stellar 7.36 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
That roster was loaded with teammates that Saberhagen says he loved playing with, including Nomar Garciaparra, John Valentine, and Trot Nixon. He raves about Jason Varitek as being one of his favorite catchers that he’s ever thrown to. Yet no teammate stood out more that year than Pedro Martinez.