I'll be honest; I don't think I've fully appreciated just how great (sports.espn.go.com) Pedro Martinez is:
In Major League Baseball annals, 13 pitchers have reached 3,000 strikeouts, more than 100 have won 200 games or more, and countless others have finished their careers with an ERA below 3.00.
But among the thousands of pitchers that have toed the mound on major league fields in the last 130 years, only three have finished their careers with all three milestones on their résumés. Pedro Martinez will soon become the fourth.
Martinez will face the Phillies tonight in Philadelphia, just 15 strikeouts short of 3,000. He reached 200 victories in April.
...
Not even greats like Roger Clemens, Steve Carlton or Warren Spahn were able to accomplish what Martinez is about to achieve. Martinez, who has a lifetime mark of 206-88 with a 2.75 ERA in 15 big league seasons, is trying to join Hall of Fame right-handers Tom Seaver, Walter Johnson and Bob Gibson as the only hurlers with 200 victories, 3,000 strikeouts and a sub-3.00 ERA.
Seaver, certainly in the mix when debating the best pitchers of all time, won 311 games, struck out 3,640 and finished his career with a 2.86 ERA.
Gibson finished his brilliant career with 251 wins, 3,117 K's and a 2.91 ERA.
Johnson, who pitched for the Washington Senators for 21 seasons, won 417 games, struck out 3,509 and had a 2.17 ERA.
The Dodgers' Greg Maddux began 2006 with a 3.01 career ERA, but has seen it rise to 3.06 this season. Maddux has 328 victories and 3,142 strikeouts.
Boston's Curt Schilling also reached 200 victories this year, and is currently 19 strikeouts away from 3,000, but in 19 seasons he has an ERA of 3.43.
If Martinez is proud of anything, it's his .701 career winning percentage.
"That reflects how effective you've been at helping your team win, and mine says a lot about my career," Martinez said.
Martinez is the only major league pitcher with a .700 winning percentage and 1,000 innings pitched.
"I was looking at some of my numbers recently, and noticed that I could lose a hundred straight decisions and still finish my career over .500," he said.
But the bigger question is not whether he'll lose 100 straight games, but whether he'll end up even getting to 100 losses before he hangs it up.
Like him or hate him, those are damn impressive numbers. It doesn't even take into account his postseason record:
6-2, 79.1 IP (in 11 starts), 3.41 ERA
"I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don't have as many people who believe it."
You've also got to be happy that the guy got his World Series title, otherwise he would have gone down as the guy who stayed in too long during Game 7 of the ALCS.
I know he's a lock for the Hall, but imagine how much further he'll make his case if he gets that second World Series crown?
Originally posted by It's FalseYou've also got to be happy that the guy got his World Series title, otherwise he would have gone down as the guy who stayed in too long during Game 7 of the ALCS.
I have to disagree with this assessment, seeing as the generally accepted theme of how that particular game ended is "Grady Little is an idiot", not "Pedro should've taken himself out."
By any stretch of the imagination Pedro is/was (especially "was") unbelievable.
"You know what you need? Some new quotes in your sig. Yeah, I said it." -- DJFrostyFreeze
You can make a good case that he's the best pitcher of all-time and that 1999 was the greatest season ever by a pitcher. I don't think he'll do it, but hopefully he sticks around to get to 300 wins.
Originally posted by BigSteveYou can make a good case that he's the best pitcher of all-time and that 1999 was the greatest season ever by a pitcher. I don't think he'll do it, but hopefully he sticks around to get to 300 wins.
The guy will be 35 in a few weeks and has 206 wins. He's only won 20 twice in his career and has averaged (tossing out his bad years - to give his BEST possible average - let's do 97-200 and 2002-2005) just about 18 wins (again, that is assuming he's having his BEST years over the next few years after only wining 9 this year). That means he needs somewhere in the neighborhood of 5.5 seasons to get to 300 wins - again, assuming he can average 18 wins over his next 5.5 years.
Maddux has won 88 since he turned 35 Clemens has won 132 since he turned 35, but he won 20 six times in his careen, including twice after he was 35.
I am thinking this is just about a no chance situation for Pedro, who had a great season and some very good years. If he should hang around and try for 300, I bet he loses the under 3.00 ERA.
We'll be back right after order has been restored here in the Omni Center.
Originally posted by AWArulzI am thinking this is just about a no chance situation for Pedro, who had a great season and some very good years. If he should hang around and try for 300, I bet he loses the under 3.00 ERA.
A great season and some very good seasons? That's crazy, just because he's only been over 20 wins twice means he hasn't had any other great seasons? Getting to 3,000 strikeouts (assuming he's not injured for the rest of the season) earlier than Clemens and having the best winning percentage in baseball and he's only had one great season? He's had several great seasons. He's finished first in ERA five times and has the best active ERA. He's been in the top 3 in strikeouts 9 times, 4th active, 14th all time. He has the best strikeout to walk ratio out of active players and is fourth all time. He's had A LOT more than A great season. Will he get to 300 wins? Who knows. But I don't think he's done after this year like most people thought when the Mets signed him to three years.
Originally posted by QuezzyWill he get to 300 wins? Who knows. But I don't think he's done after this year like most people thought when the Mets signed him to three years.
I remember how many of us on this very message board were laughing and shaking our heads when that contract was first signed. Guess no one's laughing now.
Originally posted by QuezzyWill he get to 300 wins? Who knows. But I don't think he's done after this year like most people thought when the Mets signed him to three years.
I remember how many of us on this very message board were laughing and shaking our heads when that contract was first signed. Guess no one's laughing now.
As I recall, most people were saying that the Mets were going to get two, maybe three, good years out of Pedro. The fourth year was not wise, but if it was necessary to sign him and they win the World Series with him, then it was worth it.
As if the NL West wasn't obscenely competitive enough... ESPN - D-backs bolster pitching corps, acquire Haren; Send Valverde to Houston Between Haren's acquisition and Johnson's return, Arizona could be the favorites in the NL West next year.
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