Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Pedro Martínez

Discover the career path of Pedro Martínez, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Pedro Martínez is a Dominican-American former professional baseball pitcher who played in MLB from 1992-2009. He is most known for his time with the Boston Red Sox (1998-2004) during which he achieved significant success and cemented his legacy as one of baseball's most dominant pitchers. Martínez also played for several other teams during his career.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

September 24, 1992: MLB Debut

On September 24, 1992, Pedro Martínez made his Major League Baseball debut for the Dodgers against the Cincinnati Reds, pitching two scoreless innings of relief.

1992: Early career appearance

In 1992, Pedro Martínez had a record of 0-1 in two appearances.

April 13, 1994: Near Perfect Game

On April 13, 1994, Pedro Martínez pitched 7 1/3 perfect innings before hitting Reggie Sanders with a pitch, leading to a bench-clearing brawl. Martínez received a no-decision in the game, which the Expos eventually won 3-2.

June 3, 1995: Nine Perfect Innings

On June 3, 1995, Pedro Martínez pitched nine perfect innings against the San Diego Padres but gave up a hit in the 10th inning. Despite being removed from the game, he was the winning pitcher in Montreal's 1-0 victory.

November 1997: Traded to Red Sox

In November 1997, Pedro Martínez was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Carl Pavano and Tony Armas Jr.

1997: Cy Young Award Winner

In 1997, Pedro Martínez had a 17-8 record for the Expos, leading the league in ERA (1.90), strikeouts (305), and complete games (13). He won the National League Cy Young Award, the only Expo to do so.

1997: Martínez pitches a one-hitter against the Reds

In 1997, Pedro Martínez, pitching against the Reds, had a one-hitter. The one hit came in the 5th inning.

1998: Initial Red Sox Success

In 1998, Pedro Martínez had a 19-7 record with the Red Sox and finished second in the American League in ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, and Cy Young Award voting.

July 13, 1999: Starting Pitcher for the American League All-Star team

On July 13, 1999, Martínez started as pitcher for the American League All-Star team at Fenway Park, striking out the first four batters, setting a record. He struck out Barry Larkin, Larry Walker, Sammy Sosa consecutively in the first inning, then Mark McGwire in the second.

September 10, 1999: Near Perfect Game Against the Yankees

On September 10, 1999, Martínez nearly pitched a perfect game against the New York Yankees, allowing only a solo home run by Chili Davis. He retired the last 22 batters he faced and struck out 17.

September 1999: Pitcher of the Month and All-Star Game MVP

In September 1999, Pedro Martínez was named the AL Pitcher of the Month. He also earned All-Star Game MVP after striking out Barry Larkin, Larry Walker, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Jeff Bagwell in two innings pitched at Fenway Park.

October 11, 1999: Martínez Clinches ALDS in Relief

On October 11, 1999, in Game 5 of the ALDS, Martínez pitched six hitless innings in relief to secure the win and clinch the ALDS against Cleveland.

1999: Dominant performance in 1999-2000

Between 1999 and 2000, Pedro Martínez showcased dominant performance, allowing 288 hits and 69 walks in 430 innings, with 597 strikeouts, a 0.83 WHIP, and a 1.90 ERA.

1999: Defeated Roger Clemens and the Yankees in Game 3 of ALCS

In 1999, Martínez struck out 12 Yankees in seven scoreless innings in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, beating Roger Clemens and handing the World Champions their only loss of the 1999 postseason. He finished the season with a streak of 17 scoreless innings in the playoffs.

1999: Continued excellent season

In 1999, Pedro Martínez continued with an excellent season.

1999: Pitching Triple Crown

In 1999, Pedro Martínez finished with a 23-4 record, a 2.07 ERA, and 313 strikeouts, earning the Pitching Triple Crown. His Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) of 1.39 was the lowest since 1910.

1999: Playoff Series Against Cleveland Indians

In 1999, Pedro Martínez was a key player in Boston's playoff series against the Cleveland Indians. He exited the opening game after four innings due to a strained back, with the Red Sox losing 3-2. Despite being injured, he entered the decisive fifth game as a relief pitcher, delivering six no-hit innings to secure a 12-8 victory. In the American League Championship Series in 1999, Martínez pitched seven shutout innings against the New York Yankees in Game 3.

May 28, 2000: Dramatic duel with Roger Clemens

On May 28, 2000, Martínez and Roger Clemens engaged in a dramatic duel on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball", with Martínez pitching a complete game shutout after Trot Nixon's home run in the 9th inning.

August 29, 2000: Near No-Hitter Against Devil Rays

On August 29, 2000, Martínez took a no-hitter into the 9th against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, losing it on a leadoff single. Earlier in the game, he was knocked down by Gerald Williams after hitting him with a pitch, leading to a scuffle.

2000: Dominant performance in 1999-2000

Between 1999 and 2000, Pedro Martínez showcased dominant performance, allowing 288 hits and 69 walks in 430 innings, with 597 strikeouts, a 0.83 WHIP, and a 1.90 ERA.

2000: Record-Breaking WHIP and Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio

In 2000, Martínez's WHIP was 0.74, the second-lowest in major league history behind George Walker in 1940. Martínez also set a new record for the highest single-season strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.88) in American League history, with 284 strikeouts and only 32 walks.

2000: Third Cy Young Award

In 2000, Pedro Martínez had an excellent season leading to his third Cy Young Award. His 1.74 ERA was the lowest in the American League since 1978. His adjusted ERA+ of 291 was the second-highest single-season total in major league history for pitchers with over 200 innings pitched.

2001: Rotator cuff injury

In 2001, Pedro Martínez spent much of the season on the disabled list due to a rotator cuff injury, finishing with a 7-3 record, a 2.39 ERA, and 163 strikeouts in 116 innings.

2002: League Leader Despite Cy Young Snub

In 2002, Pedro Martínez rebounded from injury, leading the league with a 2.26 ERA, 0.923 WHIP, and 239 strikeouts, while going 20-4. Despite leading in these statistics, he narrowly lost the American League Cy Young Award to Barry Zito.

October 2003: Most pitches thrown in a game since ALDS

On September 13, 2009, Martinez threw 130 pitches, the most he had thrown in a game since the ALDS in October 2003.

2003: Third for Cy Young Award

In 2003, Martínez had a 14-4 record and led the league in ERA (2.22), ERA+ (211), and WHIP (1.04). He finished second in strikeouts and came in third for the 2003 Cy Young Award.

2004: Signed with the New York Mets

After the 2004 World Series, Pedro Martínez became a free agent and signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the New York Mets.

2004: Won Game 3 of the World Series

In 2004, after a comparatively lackluster season, Martínez won Game 3 of the World Series, shutting out the St. Louis Cardinals through seven innings in his last game for Boston.

2004: World Series Championship

In 2004, despite an uncharacteristically high 3.90 ERA, Martínez went 16-9 and helped the Red Sox win the World Series, their first championship in 86 years. He pitched effectively in the playoffs, including seven shutout innings in Game 3 of the World Series.

April 10, 2005: First Mets Victory

On April 10, 2005, with the Mets, Martínez outdueled John Smoltz, pitching a two-hit, one-run, complete game for his first Mets victory.

August 14, 2005: Lost No-Hitter and Game

On August 14, 2005, against the Dodgers, Martínez pitched 7+1⁄3 hitless innings but lost the no-hitter and the game.

2005: First Season as a Met

In 2005, during his first season as a Met, Martínez had a 15-8 record with a 2.82 ERA, 208 strikeouts, and a league-leading 0.95 WHIP.

June 2006: First Appearance at Fenway Park Since Leaving the Team

In June 2006, Martínez made his first appearance at Fenway Park since leaving the Red Sox, receiving a video tribute before a rocky start against his former team.

November 3, 2006: Possible Retirement

On November 3, 2006, Pedro Martínez stated that he might retire after the 2007 season if he couldn't return to full strength.

December 30, 2006: Optimistic About Recovery

On December 30, 2006, Pedro Martínez expressed optimism about his recovery, noting improved reach and flexibility and reporting gaining 10 pounds of muscle as part of his recuperative regimen.

2006: Hip Injury and Declining Performance

In 2006, Pedro Martinez started the season strong. However, on May 26, 2006, during a game against the Florida Marlins, Martinez injured his hip after being instructed to change his undershirt. This injury led to a decline in his performance, with a 4-7 record and a 7.10 ERA in subsequent starts, further plagued by a right calf injury. MRI exams later revealed a torn muscle in his left calf and a torn rotator cuff.

September 3, 2007: Return from Disabled List and 3,000th Strikeout

On September 3, 2007, Pedro Martínez returned from the disabled list, earning his 207th career win and achieving his 3,000th career strikeout, becoming the 15th pitcher to reach this milestone.

2007: Strong Finish to the Season

In 2007, Pedro Martínez had a strong finish to the season, going 3-1 in five starts with a 2.57 ERA after returning from the disabled list.

2007: Possible Retirement

In 2007, Pedro Martínez stated that he might retire after the 2007 season if he couldn't return to full strength.

2007: Surgery Sidelines Martínez

In 2007, the surgery Martínez underwent in 2006 sidelined him for most of the 2007 season.

2008: Injuries and Career Lows

In 2008, Pedro Martínez experienced a lost season, marked by an early injury in his first game and subsequent diagnosis of a strained hamstring. He finished with a 5-6 record, a 5.61 ERA, and a 1.57 WHIP, all career lows.

July 2009: Signed with Phillies

In July 2009, after showcasing his arm in the World Baseball Classic, Pedro Martínez signed a one-year, $1-million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies after being evaluated by team scouts.

2009: Phillies Debut and Milestone Win

In 2009, Pedro Martínez debuted with the Phillies on August 12, winning his first game. On August 23, his win against the Mets was preserved by an unassisted triple play. On September 3, Martínez achieved his 100th win in the National League, becoming the 10th pitcher in history to win at least 100 games in each league.

2009: World Series Appearance and Loss

In 2009, Pedro Martínez started Game 2 of the World Series against the New York Yankees, taking the loss despite pitching effectively. He also started Game 6, allowing four runs in four innings, as the Phillies lost the World Series to the Yankees.

December 2010: Possible Retirement

In December 2010, Martínez expressed uncertainty about his return to active baseball.

December 4, 2011: Official Retirement Announcement

On December 4, 2011, Pedro Martínez officially announced his retirement from baseball.

January 24, 2013: Special Assistant Role with Red Sox

On January 24, 2013, Pedro Martínez joined the Boston Red Sox as a special assistant to general manager Ben Cherington.

January 2015: Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame

In January 2015, Pedro Martínez was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame with 91.1% of the vote, choosing to have his Hall of Fame plaque feature him wearing a Boston Red Sox cap.

June 22, 2015: Red Sox to retire Martínez's number 45

On June 22, 2015, the Red Sox announced that they would retire Martínez's number 45 on July 28, following his Hall of Fame induction.

2015: Joined MLB Network and released his autobiography "Pedro"

In 2015, Martínez began working as a studio analyst for the MLB Network and also released his autobiography, "Pedro", co-authored with Michael Silverman.