Why Red Sox, Boston Stars Came Together For Pedro Martinez Foundation

BOSTON — The Red Sox watched Pedro Martinez become an icon as one of the best pitchers to ever throw a baseball. His legacy expands past that through his extensive charity work.

Martinez and his wife, Carolina, hosted their eighth annual gala in Boston Friday night to benefit the Pedro Martinez Foundation which reached 75,000 children in 2023 and continues to reach new heights.

“It’s just like always, it’s part of the commitment we have with the community,” Martinez shared with NESN.com. “It’s part of what we do and want to be recognized for. It’s always so special because you’re doing something special. I hope that people can really perceive what we’re really doing.”

“The fact that we have almost 400 people here says a lot about the Boston community,” Carolina Martinez, the foundation’s president, told NESN.com. “It says a lot about the respect they have, not only for Pedro and what he did for the city, but the institution of the Pedro Martinez Foundation. That means a lot of commitment for us to continue going. We’re very thankful.”

Speaking exclusively with NESN.com, several former Red Sox players and Boston athletes shared why supporting Martinez’s cause remains special for them.

“It’s always an honor to be here with my compadre and Carolina, supporting them,” David Ortiz said. “They do a wonderful job for these kids. They change a lot of lives, a lot of family directions. It’s amazing, doesn’t get better than that.”

“It’s great to attend and support Pedro and his foundation,” Orlando Cabrera said. “It’s awesome, the things they do for kids in the Dominican Republic and in the Boston area. Happy to be here.”

“This is my first time coming to this event,” Derek Lowe shared. “My wife and I just moved back to Hingham. This was a no-brainer to come support Pedro. He’s been doing this for a long time to raise money. He’s not just a Hall of Fame pitcher. He’s a Hall of Fame guy. It’s going to be great to support him and have a beautiful night.

“As long as we’ve had the opportunity to come, it’s great to support Pedro, Carolina and the foundation,” Jason Varitek said. “It’s been a lot of years running now. Their ability to give back is phenomenal.”

Even baseball players who made their ultimate name outside away from Boston found their connections with the Red Sox icon to benefit the cause.

“This is a great cause,” Multiple-time American League Cy Young award-winner Corey Kluber said. “(My wife) and I have been fortunate enough to do this a number of times. To see Pedro and Carolina’s passion for their cause is really inspiring.”

“It’s my pleasure and privilege to be back here tonight,” 2010 MLB home run leader José Bautista offered. “… Any time that I get the call from Pedro, I can’t help but to show up, show the support, spend some time with his patrons, spend some time here, enjoy ourselves and help raise the most amount of funds that we can for all his projects. I’m very close to the project he’s building in the Dominican Republic. Very excited about that, happy to help in many different ways. Really happy to be here and I think it’s going to be a great evening.”

Martinez inspired athletes beyond baseball to show up and support the cause, including three Super Bowl champions from the New England Patriots’ dynasty of the 2000s.

“It’s always great when you can give back to something that means a lot to you, especially Pedro being the legend that he is,” NFL Hall of Famer Ty Law said. “To be able to support him, be present and really respect what he’s doing with his foundation helping kids. Anytime you can help families and kids, that’s what it’s about.”

“In this community, I think it’s a given that if you’ve been here long enough, you realize the impact of taking time out of your day and what it can do for others,” Super Bowl champion and left tackle Matt Light offered. “There are so many icons who have been a part of the Boston sports scene. Pedro’s obviously one of them for what he did on the field. These are the things that I think solidify you in the history of this area. So many people really care. To be here tonight to support him, his efforts and the work that they do, it means a lot.”

“It’s always a blessing,” Super Bowl XXXVI champion Jermaine Wiggins said. “I’m a huge Red Sox die-hard Pedro fan. Anything to help and support the cause for what he’s doing is obviously tremendous.”

The Pedro Martinez Foundation continues its 17th year of service to improve the lives of children throughout the Boston area and the Dominican Republic.