Pedro Martinez's All-Star Game Start Still Incredible 16 Years Later (Video)

Hyperbole and sports go hand in hand, but even the most cynical sports observer knows July 13, 1999 was a special night.

It was on that night the greatest players in Major League Baseball — past and present — descended upon Boston and Fenway Park for the 1999 MLB All-Star Game.

The night started with a memorable on-field ceremony honoring the greatest players in baseball history with the all-century team. Just about every single living big league legend was in attendance. That included Ted Williams, who made one of his final public appearances in front of the same fans who adored him his entire career.

It seemed like the meeting at the middle of the diamond could have lasted the entire night, and it sure didn’t seem like anyone would have minded. There was, of course, a game to be played.

If the first half of the night belonged to Williams and the legends, the second half was all Pedro Martinez. The Boston Red Sox pitcher — who took a 15-3 record and 2.10 ERA into the break — made the start in his home ballpark and didn’t disappoint.

Martinez took the mound in the first inning looking to make a statement. He certainly did that. The right-hander struck out three of the game’s best hitters — Barry Larkin, Larry Walker and Sammy Sosa — to open the game. He then struck out Mark McGwire to open the second inning and mixed in a strikeout of Jeff Bagwell to K five of the six batters he faced, earning him MVP honors.

With Martinez set to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame later this month and Monday marking the 16th anniversary of that game, what better time to look back at that incredible start?