Pedro Martínez's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Pedro Martínez.

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

1910: Lowest Single-Season FIP

In 1999, Pedro Martínez's Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) of 1.39 was the lowest single-season total in the major leagues since 1910 among pitchers who threw more than 35 innings.

1912: Comparison to Walter Johnson

In 1997, Pedro Martínez became the first right-handed pitcher to reach 300 strikeouts with an ERA under 2.00 since Walter Johnson achieved this feat in 1912.

1940: George Walker's WHIP record

In 1940, George Walker achieved a WHIP of 0.74.

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.

May 1999: Strikeout Streak

Between April and May 1999, Pedro Martínez struck out 10 or more batters in seven consecutive starts.

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.

August 1999: Consecutive Starts with 10+ Strikeouts

Between August 1999 and April 2000, Pedro Martínez achieved 10 consecutive starts with 10 or more strikeouts, averaging more than 15 strikeouts per nine innings during the latter streak.

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: 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.

April 2000: Consecutive Starts with 10+ Strikeouts

Between August 1999 and April 2000, Pedro Martínez achieved 10 consecutive starts with 10 or more strikeouts, averaging more than 15 strikeouts per nine innings during the streak.

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.

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: 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.

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: Brad Penny matches All-Star game strikeout feat

In 2006, Brad Penny matched Martínez's feat of striking out the first four batters in an All-Star game.

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.

December 2009: MLB All-Decade Team Selection

In December 2009, Sports Illustrated named Pedro Martínez as one of the five pitchers in the starting rotation of its MLB All-Decade Team.

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.

February 2011: National Portrait Gallery Acquisition

In February 2011, the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery announced its acquisition of an oil painting of Pedro Martínez for its collection, solidifying his legacy.

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.