Pedro Martinez is far more than just a Hall of Fame pitcher. He’s also a Hall of Fame character.
Martinez, one of the greatest pitchers to ever live, was a fierce competitor on the mound yet a free spirit between starts. Few players in the history of sports have had his combination of skill, confidence, fearlessness and drive. And even fewer have had his zany personality.
From highlight reels to blooper reels, Martinez has a knack for being front and center, even in retirement. Martinez’s wackiness was evident during his playing days, when he often made his Boston Red Sox teammates laugh uncontrollably in the dugout, and it’s still on display in his work as a Major League Baseball analyst.
Martinez earned induction into Cooperstown because of his on-field success. Three Cy Young awards, eight All-Star selections, five ERA crowns and a World Series title are nothing to sneeze at.
But he earned a spot in the hearts of many baseball fans because he supplemented his dominance with a genuine goofiness.
