The Yankees might still be his “daddy,” but Pedro Martinez is now employed again by the Red Sox.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner, who pitched for seven seasons in Boston, will serve as a special assistant to Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington, the team announced Thursday.
“(Pedro) was one of the game’s most dominant pitchers and without a doubt a beloved figure in Red Sox history,” Cherington said. “Similar to former teammate Jason Varitek, who joined the baseball operations staff in September, Pedro will be involved in several areas, including the evaluation, mentorship, and instruction of young players in spring training and throughout the season.”
Martinez’s feud with the Yankees was legendary. In 2001, after striking out 13 Yankees in a Red Sox victory, he said, “wake up the damn Bambino (Babe Ruth) and have me face him. Maybe I’ll drill him in the ass.”
During a bench-clearing brawl in the 2003 American League Championship Series, Pedro tossed Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer to the ground, sending the then-72-year-old to the hospital.
A year later, after a loss to the Bombers, Martinez quipped,” I tip my hat and call the Yankees my daddy,” which spurred “Who’s your daddy?” chants at Yankee Stadium for seasons to come.
Martinez was one of the best pitchers of his generation. He went 219-100 with a 2.92 career ERA and 3,154 strikeouts. He started and got the win in the 1999 All-Star Game at Fenway Park. He’ll be back there again starting this season.
“I am thrilled to be returning to this organization and to the city I love,” Martinez said. “Ben Cherington’s meetings this week have been outstanding. It is an honor to be back with the Red Sox and help in any way I can. I am grateful to our leaders; I believe in them, and I thank them for allowing me to return to the field and help us win again.
“My heart will always live in Boston.”
Martinez also pitched with the Mets from 2005-08 and quickly became a fan favorite at Shea Stadium. In his best year in Queens, Martinez went 15-8 with a 2.82 ERA in 2005. Injuries mired most of his tenure.
With AP