Pedro Plunked 'Em...on Purpose!

 

Simply put, there are certain Major Leaguers that if you put a microphone in front of them...I will listen.

Monday, former pitching great Pedro Martinez, the Boston Red Sox newly minted special assistant to general manager Ben Cherington, was front and center answering reporter's questions. 

And, suffice it to say, I would have loved to have been there to listen because,according to Peter Abraham from the Boston Globe, there were some gems.  Especially when the subject of teaching young pitchers the value of being able to pitch inside was brought up.


"I  think it's all part of the game. You have to pitch inside and you have to brush them back when you have to," the three-time Cy Young Award winner said.  "I will preach it and I will say they need to pitch inside if they want to have success."

But the best part, Martinez added that "90 percent" of the batters he plunked...he did it on purpose.  Retaliation for his teammates he maintains.

Oh, and about that 2003 incident with Karim Garcia of the New York Yankees?  Martinez claims that wasn't on purpose.

"It didn't even hit him, it hit the bat," Martinez added.  "Lucky bastard."

 Suuuuuuure.
 

Countdown to Cooperstown: Class of 2015

What's interesting about the Hall of Fame Class of 2015 is the same as the Classes of 2013 and 2014...there are some definite shoe-ins.

Truth is, I don't know if the Hall of Fame has had back-to-back-to-back years with so many quality, legitimate first ballot candidates.  To be honest, I can't wait until the Class of 2012 gets enshrined this weekend so we can start talking about the circus atmosphere that will encompass the years that follow. 

Here are the players that will be appearing on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time in 2015.

IN.

Randy Johnson.

With five Cy Young Awards, a no-hitter and a perfect game...Johnson is pretty much as safe a lock to end up in Cooperstown as anyone who ever toed the rubber. Add in 303 wins, 4875 strikeouts, a World Series ring and ten All-Star appearances and yeah...it'll be interesting to see what knuckleheads don't believe he is worthy of going in on the first ballot.

Pedro Martinez.

Once Martinez finally announced he was officially retired, everyone began debating...in or out?  Pedro has a  career .687 winning percentage, sub-3.00 ERA, three Cy Young Awards and is a Boston legend.  Put him in.

John Smoltz.

John Smoltz is a tricky one. At first glance, he doesn't look like he has the numbers to make it to the Hall of Fame. That said, when you look deeper...he's a pretty special player. In 2002 he became only the second pitcher (Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley is the other) to have had both a 20-win season and a 50-save season. The 1996 National League Cy Young award winner is also the only pitcher in major league history to top both 200 wins and 150 saves. Oh yeah, he also is just the 16th pitcher to surpass 3000 Ks for his career.

Gary Sheffield.

It is amazing to me how polarizing Gary Sheffield is. Me? I love the dude...and what's not to like? A career .292 batting average, 509 home runs and close to 2700 hits...the man is a hitting machine and performed at just about every stop during his 22-year career.

OUT (in random order).

Nomar Garciaparra.
Alright, reality check time. One of my favorite players of all-time is Nomar Garciaparra, so naturally...one would think that I would automatically pencil him in for a 2015 enshrinement. Unfortunately, his career numbers just aren't good enough. He started his career alongside Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter and, arguably, overshadowed them at first. However, injuries plagued the Whittier, California native, whereas the other two are legends.

Troy Percival.

It's pretty safe to say that I have a soft spot for closers. Just days ago, I said that John Franco is a Hall of Famer and took massive heat for it. For years, I've been trumpeting the efforts of Lee Smith. That said, I can't get behind Percival. His 358 saves (good for eighth all-time) is spectacular, but the dude never led the league and can't really hold a candle to some of his contemporaries.

Rich Aurilia, Aaron Boone, Paul Byrd, Tony Clark, Jermaine Dye, Alan Embree, Darin Erstad, Kelvim Escobar, Cliff Floyd, Brian Giles, Tom Gordon, Eddie Guardado, Mark Loretta, Doug Mientkiewicz, Kevin Millar, B.J. Ryan, Jason Schmidt, Julian Tavarez, Jarrod Washburn and David Weathers

ON THE BUBBLE.

Carlos Delgado.
Delgado attempted a comeback late 2011, but since he never made it back to bigs...here he sits as a first ballot guy in 2015.  Sitting 27 home runs shy of 500 for his career, with more than 2000 hits and 1500 RBI, Delgado is not that far from becoming the second player enshrined as a Blue Jay.

Missed any of the other re-hashes from this week?  Be sure to check out 2013 and 2014.  On Friday, your first look at 2017 hits the interwebs.

Pedro Martinez Set to Retire...Finally. Again.

Stop me if you've heard this one before...Pedro Martinez is set to call it quits.

Or not.  Really...who cares anymore?

I mean, we've heard it all from the three-time Cy Young Award winner, haven't we?  But this time, apparently...it's legit.

"I'm going to [officially announce it], I'm going to do it.  But I want to throw a party too," Martinez told MLB.com.  "I want to make it part of every place that I'm going to be remembered and loved by the fans. I'm going to start by doing something in the Dominican, officially signing the papers, probably coming back to Boston and getting something going with you guys."

You're going to read a lot of pieces that highlight Martinez's dominating stretch from 1999 to 2002, but c'mon...why limit it to just those four seasons?  If you stretch out that a few years (1997-2003), dude was 118-36 with a 2.20 ERA...those three Cy Young Awards and two second place finishes.

Best seven-years ever?  Perhaps.

Overall, the 40-year-old's career spanned 18 big league seasons.  He was 219-100 with a 2.93 ERA and 3154 strikeouts with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.

Martinez last threw a pitch in the 2009 World Series and barring any stupid revelations (fingers crossed), he should be a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame Class of 2015...unless he decides to come back and pitch again.

Again.

Countdown to Cooperstown: Class of 2015

What's interesting about the Hall of Fame Class of 2015 is the same as the Classes of 2013 and 2014...there are some definite shoe-ins.

Truth is, I don't know if the Hall of Fame has had back-to-back-to-back years with so many quality, legitimate first ballot candidates.  Honestly, I can't wait until the Class of 2012 gets enshrined a year from now so we can start talking about the circus atmosphere that will encompass the years that follow. 

IN.

Randy Johnson.
With five Cy Young Awards, a no-hitter and a perfect game...Johnson is pretty much as safe a lock to end up in Cooperstown as anyone who ever toed the rubber. Add in 303 wins, 4875 strikeouts, a World Series ring and ten All-Star appearances and yeah...it'll be interesting to see what knuckleheads don't believe he is worthy of going in on the first ballot.

Pedro Martinez.

Not that long ago, Martinez finally announced that he was officially retired.  Of course, by not playing in 2010...he is Hall-eligible a year earlier than some of the others that recently hung it up.  In or out?  Pedro has a  career .687 winning percentage, sub-3.00 ERA, three Cy Young Awards and is a Boston legend.

John Smoltz.

John Smoltz is a tricky one. At first glance, he doesn't look like he has the numbers to make it to the Hall of Fame. That said, when you look deeper...he's a pretty special player. In 2002 he became only the second pitcher (Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley is the other) to have had both a 20-win season and a 50-save season. The 1996 National League Cy Young award winner is also the only pitcher in major league history to top both 200 wins and 150 saves. Oh yeah, he also is just the 16th pitcher to surpass 3000 Ks for his career.

Gary Sheffield.

It is amazing to me how polarizing Gary Sheffield is. Me? I love the dude...and what's not to like? A career .292 batting average, 509 home runs and close to 2700 hits...the man is a hitting machine and performed at just about every stop during his 22-year career.

OUT (in random order).

Nomar Garciaparra.
Alright, reality check time. One of my favorite players of all-time is Nomar Garciaparra, so naturally...one would think that I would automatically pencil him in for a 2015 enshrinement. Unfortunately, his career numbers just aren't good enough. He started his career alongside Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter and, arguably, overshadowed them at first. However, injuries plagued the Whittier, California native, whereas the other two are legends.

Troy Percival.

It's pretty safe to say that I have a soft spot for closers. Just days ago, I said that John Franco is a Hall of Famer and took massive heat for it. For years, I've been trumpeting the efforts of Lee Smith. That said, I can't get behind Percival. His 358 saves (good for eighth all-time) is spectacular, but the dude never led the league and can't really hold a candle to some of his contemporaries.

Rich Aurilia, Aaron Boone, Paul Byrd, Tony Clark, Jermaine Dye, Alan Embree, Darin Erstad, Kelvim Escobar, Cliff Floyd, Brian Giles, Tom Gordon, Eddie Guardado, Mark Loretta, Doug Mientkiewicz, Kevin Millar, B.J. Ryan, Jason Schmidt, Julian Tavarez, Jarrod Washburn and David Weathers

ON THE BUBBLE.

Carlos Delgado.
Delgado attempted a comeback late last year, but since he never made it back to bigs...here he sits as a first ballot guy in 2015.  Sitting 27 home runs shy of 500 for his career, with more than 2000 hits and 1500 RBI, Delgado is not that far from becoming the first player enshrined as a Blue Jay.

Missed any of the other re-hashes from this week?  Be sure to check out 2012, 2013 and 2014 because, tomorrow, your first look at 2016 hits the interwebs.

Pedro Martinez Looks to be Done

As one former big name pitcher is contemplating a return...another is actually saying that he might be calling it quits.

Sure, it was just a couple of weeks ago that Pedro Martinez said that he was "in shape" and ready to go, but now...word on the street is that the three-time Cy Young Award winner is ready to hang it up.

Oh, and by "the street"...I mean The Associated Press.

Pedro Martinez has virtually ruled out a return to the major leagues and says he is on his way to retirement.  The three-time Cy Young Award winner gave an interview that was broadcast Sunday in the Dominican Republic.

"I keep active because I have not announced my retirement, because that is something that takes time and you have to plan it. Plus, it is something that the Dominican people expected," Martinez said.

In 18 big league seasons, the 38-year-old righty was 219-100 with a 2.93 ERA and 3154 strikeouts with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.

Martinez last threw a pitch in the 2009 World Series and barring any stupid revelations (fingers crossed)...dude should be a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame Class of 2015.

Pedro Martinez Says He's Ready

Stop me if you've heard this one before...Pedro Martinez wants to come back and pitch. 

Again.

And according to the New York Times...dude is ready.

"I'm in shape right now and I'm training and I'm playing catch," Martinez said, "so getting to full strength would probably take me a month, month and a half, to be on a mound."

When asked who he'd like to play for, Martinez was quick with a response.

"I'd probably have to say the Red Sox. I would like to win a World Series in the National League, so the Phillies are in there, too. But for the time I'm going to be playing, I think Boston is more suitable so that I can retire with the Boston Red Sox and go to the Hall of Fame with the same hat."

As it stands, Martinez would be on the 2015 ballot and at first glance...the thing is packed.

So, yeah, come on back, Pedro. Throw an inning or two in a Red Sox cap and get your name on that 2017 ballot.

Or better yet...keep your legacy in tact.  Pack up your .687 winning percentage, sub-3.00 ERA, three Cy Young Awards and status as a Boston legend and reserve a hotel in Cooperstown for July 2015.  There's nothing more for you to prove.

The Hall of Fame Class of 2015 (so far)

Looking ahead to the Hall of Fame Class of 2015 is tricky...and the reasons are simple.

There are some guys who are definitely retired like Randy Johnson and Nomar Garciaparra. There are guys like John Smoltz who don't look to be coming back. And, of course, there are those who seem to be up in the air as to whether or not they want to play or not a la Pedro Martinez.

Add to that those pesky few who are out there and just not signed (Carlos Delgado and Gary Sheffield)...and 2015 looks murky at best.

IN.

Randy Johnson.
With the uncertainties out there of who is officially retired and who isn't..."The Big Unit" announced he was done following last year. With five Cy Young Awards, a no-hitter and a perfect game...Johnson is pretty much as safe a lock to end up in Cooperstown as anyone who ever toed the rubber. Add in 303 wins, 4875 strikeouts, a World Series ring and ten All-Star appearances and yeah...it'll be interesting to see what knuckleheads don't believe he is worthy of going in on the first ballot.

Pedro Martinez.

Martinez recently announced that he won't be playing at all this season. Of course, he didn't rule out 2011. Memo to Pedro...pack up your .687 winning percentage, sub-3.00 ERA, three Cy Young Awards and status as a Boston legend and reserve a hotel in Cooperstown for July 2015. There is nothing more for Martinez to prove and at this point...all he can do is ruin his reputation.

John Smoltz.

John Smoltz is a tricky one. At first glance, he doesn't look like he has the numbers to make it to the Hall of Fame. That said, when you look deeper...he's a pretty special player. In 2002 he became only the second pitcher (Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley is the other) to have had both a 20-win season and a 50-save season. The 1996 National League Cy Young award winner is also the only pitcher in major league history to top both 200 wins and 150 saves. Oh yeah, he also is just the 16th pitcher to surpass 3000 Ks for his career.

Gary Sheffield.

It is amazing to me how polarizing Gary Sheffield is. Me? I love the dude...and what's not to like? A career .292 batting average, 509 home runs and close to 2700 hits...the man is a hitting machine and performed at just about every stop during his 22-year career.

OUT (in random order).

Nomar Garciaparra.
Alright, reality check time. One of my favorite players of all-time is Nomar Garciaparra, so naturally...one would think that I would automatically pencil him in for a 2015 enshrinement. Unfortunately, his career numbers just aren't good enough. He started his career alongside Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter and, arguably, overshadowed them at first. However, injuries plagued the Whittier, California native, whereas the other two are legends.

Troy Percival.

It's pretty safe to say that I have a soft spot for closers. Just days ago, I said that John Franco is a Hall of Famer and took massive heat for it. For years, I've been trumpeting the efforts of Lee Smith. That said, I can't get behind Percival. His 358 saves (good for eighth all-time) is spectacular, but the dude never led the league and can't really hold a candle to some of his contemporaries.

2005 American League Cy Young Bartolo Colon, Brian Giles, Eddie Guardado, Paul Byrd, Tom Gordon, Jason Schmidt, Darin Erstad, David Weathers, Rich Aurilia, Russ Ortiz, Mark Loretta, Tony Clark, Cliff Floyd and Julian Tavarez.

ON THE BUBBLE.

Carlos Delgado.
There are plenty of rumors out there surrounding Carlos Delgado. Ask him and he'll tell you that he is coming back. Check out his Wikipedia page and he's already been signed by the New York Yankees. Ask me and I will tell you that if he hangs it up now, he's on the bubble when it comes to the Hall of Fame. Sitting 27 home runs shy of 500 for his career, Delgado is not that far from becoming the first player enshrined as a Blue Jay.

There are some more players that haven't played this season that I could have included (Joe Nathan, Jason Isringhausen, Jermaine Dye, Alan Embree and Ron Villone) but as of now...their careers don't appear to be over.

So there you have it...your breakdown of the Hall of Fame Class of 2015 (so far). Be sure to check out this week's re-hashes.

Monday: 2011

Tuesday: 2012

Wednesday: 2013

Thursday: 2014

Andre Dawson...the Last Expo Hall of Famer?

When Andre Dawson enters the Hall of Fame this weekend, he'll be entering as a Montreal Expo. The following take on Dawson the Expo comes from our friend Charley over at Hawk for the Hall.

It is quite possible that Andre could be the last Montreal Expo to be inducted and that in itself would be pretty cool.

The Expos always had the reputation of developing great, young talent only to trade it away or lose them to free agency. Here's a list of former Expos who has or had Hall potential.

Tim Raines. To me he is a Hall of Famer. However, several Hall voters and baseball writers don't see it that way. Raines has been on the ballot three times, netting 24% in votes in 2008, 22.6% in 2009 and 30.4% in 2010. Andre's voting percentage in his first three years is as follows...45.3% in 2002, 50% in 2003 and 2004. There is a fairly significant difference in their first three years.

Vladimir Guerrero. It looks as though Vlad has bounced back from injury and it he gets hot in the sweltering heat of Texas, he has a real shot of being a Hall of Famer. But will he go in as an Expo or an Angel? My guess would be an Angel. Eight years in Montreal, six as an Angel. His numbers are relatively close in those two spans...however he won the American League MVP award in 2004 with the Angels.

Larry Walker. Walker played his first six years as an Expo, but the move to Colorado did wonders for his career, not to mention winning National League MVP in 1997. Whether he accumulated high enough career numbers for voters is up for debate. We'll find out more in January.

Pedro Martinez. Pedro pitched four years in Montreal and won the National League Cy Young award in 1997. But, only 55 of his 219 career wins came north of the border, plus, he won two more Cy Young awards with the Red Sox (1999 and 2000). Is 219 where his win total stops, we'll have to wait and see. But one thing is for sure...he won't wear an Expo hat on his plaque.

Randy Johnson. Hall of Famer...yes. Being inducted as an Expo...no. "The Big Unit" had a very brief stint in Canada...11 games, to be exact, between 1988 and 1989.

Andres Galarraga: He spent eight years wearing an Expos cap, but failed to reach the necessary 5% in 2010 to stay on the ballot next year.

I'm guessing "The Hawk" will be remembered as the last Expo to be honored by the Hall of Fame. How do you see it?

On a similar note, famed Cubs author and "Diamond Gems" host George Castle shared some memories of "The Hawk". You can read them HERE.

Philadelphia Pedro

Is it 2005?

Did the Phillies just win the conveted Pedro Martinez sweepstakes?

Should we care THIS MUCH about where a guy who has 17 wins over the last three seasons decides to pitch?

The answer to the first questions is "no" and unless you've been in a coma...the answer to the last is a resounding "I guess".

Seriously, EVERYONE (myself included HERE, HERE and HERE) has been talking about the guy over the last few months and its been almost nonstop since the weekend.

And while you can't turn on SportsCenter without seeing or hearing the
“I might surprise you, I might not...it’s going to be really fun to go find out" quote I thought I'd inundate you with what the Twitterers (Tweeters?) have been saying.

DanWalshed: How good has Pedro Martinez been? He could go 0-100 and still be 15 games over .500 for his career. One of the all time greats.


CSCoordinator: There's a reason why Adam Eaton was employed at the beginning of the season and Pedro Martinez was not...Just Saying.


Phrontiersman: Pedro Martinez is to 2009 Phillies as Bill Walton is to 1986 Celtics. Take it to the bank, baby.



d_fienberg: The Phillies paid a million bucks to put Pedro Martinez on the DL. I'd like them to know that I'd go on the DL for $50,000.


MikeBiondi: I love the sound of Phillies fans talking themselves into Pedro Martinez. Listen: he couldn't hit 93 on the gun in a Ferrari.


pkisubika: Is it just me or does Pedro Martinez look like a young Redd Foxx?


Nice work, internet...nice work.

Only with the signing of Martinez can Elton John's classic "Philadelphia Freedom" be lodged into my skull. Seriously, hum the thing to yourself, then when the chorus hits...blurt out "Philadelphia Pedro" instead of the song's title.

It's infectious.

And don't forget, you can follow The Hall on Twitter. By doing so...you'll get tweets every time this site is updated.

Pedro the Phillie?

You know the old adage "the rich get richer"?

Well, it appears as though the World Champion Phillies might be adding future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez into the mix.

Everyone and their brother is reporting that the Phillies have been scouting him in his native Dominican Republic and apparently his agent is negotiating with them (the Phillies...not everyone and/or their brother) in hopes in getting the righty back into the majors.

"The Phillies saw me this past Tuesday in a simulated game and I felt very good with my fastball and all my pitches," Martinez told reporters.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. denied reports a deal was done, but confirmed the team's interest in the three-time Cy Young Award winner.

"He has not been signed," Amaro said before his squad took on Cincinnati on Thursday night. "We've seen him pitch. He's not in town."

It is said that Martinez worked three innings in a simulated game against a Phillies summer league team and that his fastball was clocked at up to 93 mph.

"I feel the best I have for some time," the eight-time All-Star said.

That's good, right? I only hope it is true.

If not...there goes the legacy.

As far back as January, there was talk of Pedro joining Pittsburgh or Florida. It never happened. Then...it was said, that he was going to be picked up following the World Baseball Classic. That too, never materialized.

If he looks as good as reported...welcome back.

If not, do what I suggested back when snow was on the ground, hang it up and maintain the legacy! The Hall of Fame Class of 2014 needs some crazy in its midst.