Pedro Martinez is excited about his future induction into the MLB Hall of Fame, but there’s someone who he wishes would join him for the July 26 ceremony.
Though Martinez’s opinion might be met with some controversy, the former Boston Red Sox pitcher wants to see Roger Clemens enter the Hall someday. In fact, he was hoping it would happen this year.
“Roger was someone we all admired, someone I wish I could be going in with,” Martinez told WBZ-TV’s Steve Burton on Tuesday. “But that’s not happening, and it’s sad.”
Clemens’ 24-year career was highlighted by seven Cy Young Award wins, six 20-plus win seasons and 4,672 strikeouts — good for third all-time — but it’s since been tarnished by steroid allegations. And while Martinez understands that, he also knows that Clemens wasn’t the only one.
Martinez said Tuesday that he prides himself on achieving everything he did the “clean” way in an era where many of the MLB’s leaders were using performance-enhancing drugs. Still, he believes that Clemens and other alleged users will get in the Hall eventually.
Moreover, he thinks the Rocket — who he said had “the best right-handed mechanics” in the league — had the talent to be elected without steroids.
“Something has to change. They’re going to pay their dues until they have to,” Martinez said. “Personally, I think Roger was going to be a Hall Of Famer before he went into those things.”
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
