How will Pedro’s time in Philadelphia be remembered
November 5th, 2009 by Eric Schwartz
Wherever he has gone Pedro Martinez has elicited a lot of emotions from his team’s fan base and the fan base of the opposition. Some view Pedro as a fun, wacky guy who brings energy to a team and a stadium every time he takes the mound.
Others view him as a cocky, arrogant pitcher whose history of hitting batters makes him an intimidator.
But how will his two-month stay in Philadelphia be remembered?
The Phillies signed Pedro Martinez on July 5 to a modest 1-year/$1 million contract. The former Red Six and Mets pitcher had been out of baseball to that point, as his asking price of $5 million to start the season garnered little attention.
Shortly after the signing of Pedro, the Phillies traded for Cliff Lee, reducing the expected impact of Martinez. However, with Jamie Moyer struggling, the Phils gave Pedro is first start on August 12 against the Cubs.
A little over a month later, he finished his regular season with a 5-1 record with an ERA of 3.63, good enough to earn himself a spot in the postseason rotation.
After not pitching in the NLDS, Pedro pitched a 7-inning gem against the Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLCS. The bullpen would blow an inherited 1-0 lead, leaving him without a win.
However, the World Series was not kind to Pedro. Against his nemesis, the New York Yankees, Pedro went 0-2, including the deciding Game 6 loss in which he allowed four runs in just four innings.
It is unlikely Pedro will be resigned for next season. The Phillies are set in the rotation 1-through-4 and have Jamie Moyer under contract. There is also the chance that Kyle Kendrick earns his way back to the majors or that highly-touted prospect Kyle Drabek makes the roster.
So how will the future Hall of Famer’s short stint in Philly be remembered?
My guess is that fans will look at Pedro’s time with the team fondly. He gave the team more than anyone could have expected given the way things ended for him in New York the previous season. Sure he didn’t execute well enough in the World Series, but Brad Lidge and Cole Hamels’ shortcomings will be talked about much more going forward.
Pedro wasn’t great, but his two month stint at in Philadelphia did more good, than harm.
Posted in Phillies | 5 Comments »
















November 5th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Tell you what, he won’t be remembered as “just wanting the season to be over”.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
ill always remember….whos your daddy? lol
November 5th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
LOSERS,LOSERS,LOSERS,LOSERS,LOSERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA. TALK SHIT NOW PHILLY….NY #1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 5th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
We will be sure to come to see you when the Giants and Jets miss the playoffs, Rangers get knocked off in the first round and the Knicks win the NBA lottery (which will be funny because they traded the rights to that pick). Enjoy your title, because it’ll be the last one New York gets for a long time.
November 6th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
He will be remembered as a tough competiter. Who contributed and helped the Phillies get to the World Series and is usre to be a first ballet Hall of Famer. I do not think his career is over.