Editor’s note: NESN.com will reflect on some of Pedro Martinez’s most impressive and most interesting Boston Red Sox moments in the days leading up to his Hall of Fame induction Sunday, July 26 and his number retirement ceremony Tuesday, July 28 at Fenway Park.
Date: Sept. 10, 1999
Location: Yankee Stadium
Opponent: New York Yankees
Moment in a word: Masterpiece
It was one of the best pitching performances of all time. Ask any Boston Red Sox fan.
Yes, no-hitters are nice. Perfect games are even better. But Pedro Martinez’s 17-strikeout, one-hit gem against the New York Yankees in enemy territory was a work of art, all things considered.
Chili Davis, now the Red Sox’s hitting coach, provided New York’s only hit — a solo home run — in Boston’s 3-1 win at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees ranked fifth in Major League Baseball in runs scored in 1999, yet Martinez completely baffled New York’s offense all evening.
According to Baseball-Reference.com, Martinez’s performance in the Bronx was good enough for a 98 game score, a career-best he matched two more times over the next year. It came right around the time the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry was soaring to new heights.
Tune in to NESN this Sunday from noon ET to 7:30 p.m. for a “The Best of Pedro Martinez” marathon. NESN will air Pedro’s top NESN games featuring only the half innings that he pitched.
