When Pedro Martinez trotted out of left field to throw the ceremonial first pitch in Sunday’s opening-night victory over the Yankees, the former Red Sox ace did not look ready to unleash a major league heater. But even though the first pitch is usually reserved for retired greats and celebrities, Pedro isn’t ready for the old timers’ game just yet.
According to the Boston Herald, Martinez isn’t done plying his trade in the majors and hopes to play this season. In fact, he’d love a gig similar to the one-year, $1 million deal he signed last July with the Phillies, with whom he went on to tally a 5-1 record with a very respectable 3.63 ERA.
"I’m in good shape, real good — it doesn’t take me that long to get ready," Martinez told the Herald. "Last year I wanted to come back and prove to myself that I was healthy. I didn’t want to go down sore or with the excuse that my dad had died and I couldn’t pitch. When I cleared my mind, I proved I could pitch."
At 38-years old, Martinez isn’t about to toil away for a full season, but he knows he can contribute come playoff time. Last October — despite taking the loss in both of his World Series starts against the Yankees — Pedro showed his postseason moxie, throwing a two-hit beauty over seven scoreless against the Dodgers during the NLCS.
He hopes to be able to continue his career somewhere on the East Coast on a team with a legitimate shot at the playoffs, though he’d rather spend his time in the less-demanding National League. That leaves the likely candidates in the NL East — minus the hapless Nationals, it would seem.
The Phillies and Mets have both employed Pedro’s services in the past, and he doesn’t appear to be opposed to a reunion with either team. On the surface, it seems that Philadelphia still offers the best shot at playoff glory, but, as Martinez told the Herald, "we’ll see what happens with that."
He seemed less enthused about the possibility of pitching for the Mets, who have a lack of quality arms at the back of their rotation. Martinez joked about receiving a call from GM Omar Minaya, replying, "Who?" when asked by the New York Post. He was then asked if the Mets should give him a call. "Ask [Minaya]," he replied.
