Pedro Martinez Biography

Pedro Martinez is a well-known Dominican former professional baseball starting pitcher who played in MLB (Major League Baseball) from 1992 to 2009, for five teams. Most notably the Boston Red Sox from 1998 to 2004. At the time of his retirement as an active player, his career record of 219 wins and 100 losses placed him fourth-highest in winning percentage in MLB history. Also, it was the highest such achievement by a right-hander since the modern pitching era began, in 1902.

He ended his career with an earned run average (ERA) of 2.93, the sixth-lowest by a pitcher with at least 2,500 innings pitched, since 1920. As of 2023, his career strikeout rate of 10.04 per nine innings ranks sixth all-time among pitchers with over 1,500 innings. From 1997 to 2003, he was at his peak, an eight-time All-Star establishing himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history. In 1997, 1999, and 2000, he won three CY Young Awards and was runner-up twice (1998 and 2002), posting a cumulative record of 118-36 (.776) with a 2.20 ERA, while leading his league in ERA five times winning percentage and strikeouts three times each. He was the runner-up for the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player in 1999.

Injuries began to take a toll on him in his early 30s and thus kept him off the field to an increasing extent with his appearances and success dropping off sharply in his final seasons. As of 2023, his career strikeout-to-walk ratio, WHIP, and adjusted ERA are among the highest in major league history. He is considered to be one of the greatest pitchers in Major League history. In 2015, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, joining Juan Marichal as the second Dominican to be enshrined. His number 45 was retired by the Red Sox in a ceremony held two days after his Hall induction.

Pedro Martinez Career

Pedro Martinez Los Angeles Dodgers

In 1988, he was originally signed by the Dodgers as an amateur. In his first season in the minor, he was assigned to the Great Falls Dodgers where he worked with coach Guy Conti to develop a circle changeup. On September 24, 1992, he made his MLB debut for the Dodgers against the Cincinnati Reds. On September 30, he made his first MLB start for the Dodgers, taking the loss while giving up two runs in a 3-1 loss to the Reds. Before the 1994 season, he was traded to the Montreal Expos for Delino DeShields.

Pedro Martinez Montreal Expos

During his time with the Expos, he developed into one of the top pitchers in baseball. He took a perfect game through 7 1/3 innings until throwing a brushback pitch at Reggie Sanders on April 13, 1994, which led Sanders to immediately change the mound starting a bench-cleaning brawl. On June 3, 1995, he pitched nine perfect innings in a game against the San Diego Padres. During a game against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1996, Mike Williams attempted to hit Martinez with retaliatory pitches for an earlier hit batter but failed with two consecutive attempts. The following year, he posted a 17-8 record for the Expos and led the league in half a dozen categories including a 1.90 ERA, 36 strikeouts, and 13 complete games pitched.

Pedro Martinez Boston Red Sox

Approaching his free agency, in November 1997, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Carl Pavano and Tony Armas Jr. Subsequently, he was signed to a six-year $75 million contract (with an option for a seventh year at $17 million)by Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette. In 1999, he finished 23-4 with a 2.04 ERA and 313 strikeouts (thus earning the Pitching Triple Crown) in 213 1/3 innings across 31 games (289 starts). He then led the entire major leagues with strikeouts per nine innings and strikeout-to-walk ratios of 13.20 and 8.46, respectively.

Between April and May of 1999, he struck out of 10 or more batters in seven consecutive starts. He went on and achieved the same feat in 10 consecutive starts between August 1999 and April 2000, averaging more than 15 strikeouts per nine innings during the latter week. In April, May, June, and September 1999, he was named the AL Pitcher of the Month four times in a single season. After the 1999 season, he perhaps had his best year in 2000. As he posted an exceptional 1.74 ERA, the AL’s lowest since 1978, while winning his third CY Young Award.

2000-2002

In 2000, his WHIP was 0.74, breaking both the 87-year-old modern Major League record set by Walter Johnom as well as Guy Hecker’s mark of 0.77 in 1882. On May 6, 2000, he struck out 17 Tampa Bay Devil Rays in a 1-0 loss. Six days later in his next start, he struck out 15 Baltimore Orioles in a 9-0 victory. He spent much of 2001 on the disabled list with a rotator cuff injury as the Red Sox slumbered to a poor finish. In 2002, he regained health and rebounded to lead the league with a 2.26 ERA, 0.923 WHIP, and 239 strikeouts, while going 20-4. The following year, his record was 14-4. And in 2004, he went 16-9.

Pedro Martinez New York Mets

After Boston’s World Series triumph in 2004, he became a free agent and signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the New York Mets. In his first season as a Met in 2005, he posted a 15-8 record with a 2.82 ERA, 208 strikeouts, and a league-leading 0.95 WHIP. The following season, he started at the top of his game. At the end of May, he was 5-1 with a 2.50 ERA, with 88 strikeouts and 17 walks and 44 hits allowed in 76 innings. On November 3, 2006, he stated that he he could not return to full strength, he might end up retiring after the 2007 season.

On September 3, 2007, he returned from the disabled list with his 207th career win, allowing two earned runs inefficient innings and collecting his 3,000th career strikeout. This made him become the 15th pitcher to do so. Unexpectedly, he finished healthy in 2007, and thus raised hopes but 2008 was a loss for him. As he was injured just four innings into his first game of the season. During his four-year Met contract, he was 31-23 in 769 starts with a 3.88 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP.

Pedro Martinez Philadelphia Phillies

A free agent, he did not sign with a major league team during the winter. He however joined the Dominican Republic’s squad at the 2009 World Baseball Classic in March. In July 2009, he was evaluated by the Phillies scouts in two simulated games against the Phillies DSL team, leading to a one-year, $1 million contract. On August 12, as a starter in the Phillies replacing Jamie Moyer, he won his 2009 debut. On August 23, in his return to New York, his win against the Mets was preserved by a rare unassisted triple play by a second baseman Eric Bruntlett in the bottom of the ninth inning. During the winter, he received some initial inquiries but did not sign with any team for 2011. On December 4, 2011, he officially announced his retirement.

Pedro Martinez After Retirement

He joined the Boston RedSox on January 24, 2013, as a special assistant to general manager Ben Cherington. In January 2015, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame with 91.1% of the vote. That same year, he was hired as a studio analyst by the MLB Network and also released an autobiography, Pedro. It was announced on June 22, 2015, that his number 45 would be retired by the Red Sox on July 28, two days after his Hall of Fame induction. On February 1, 2018, he was announced as part of the 2018 induction class for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. In addition to his work at MLB Network, he works as an MLB on TBS studio analyst for Postseason coverage.

Pedro Martinez Age

Pedro was born on October 25, 1971, therefore he is 51 years old as of August 2023. He thus celebrates his birthday on October 25th of every year.

Pedro Martinez Height

He stands at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (1.8m) tall.

Pedro Martinez Family

Martinez was born in Manoguayabo, Dominican Republic to Paulino Martinez (Father) and Leopoldina Martinez (Mother). His father worked odd jobs whereas his mother worked for traditionally wealthy families, washing their clothes. He has five siblings; Ramon Martinez (born on March 22, 1968, a former pitcher in MLB), Anadelia Martinez, Jesus Martinez, Luz Maria Martinez, and Nelson Martinez.

Pedro Martinez Wife

Pedro is married to the love of his life, Carolina Cruz Martinez, a former ESPN Deportes sideline reporter. They got married in 2005. He and his wife are blessed with four kids; three sons namely; Pedro Martinez Jr. (born in 2000). Enyol Martinez, and Pedro Isaias Martinez. And a daughter namely; Nayla Martinez.

Pedro Martinez’s Net Worth

Martinez has a net worth of $80 million which he has earned through being a former professional baseball pitcher.

Pedro Martinez Salary

He earns an annual salary of $6.5 million.