When you think about the history of the Boston Red SoxWe usually think of the thunder of the bats of Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, el dominicano David Ortiz, Jim Rice, Jimmie Foxx and many others. But the club has also had the contribution of dominant pitchers, many of whom starred in historic seasons, such as the Dominican Pedro Martinez.
Yes, Pedro Martinez’s 2000 season may well be the most impressive for any pitcher in the last 121 years. In an age when home runs set the standard, Martinez’s ERA was a minuscule 1.74.
To put it in perspective, Roger Clemens finished second in the American League that year at 3.70, a difference of almost two runs! Martinez also led MLB that year in shutouts, FIP, WHIP and hits received per nine innings. He was first in the AL in strikeouts, HR / 9 and K / 9.
A close look at your games puts your proficiency level in better perspective. Only twice that season did Martinez allow more than three earned runs in a start. He allowed one clean hairline or less in 17 of his 29 starts. There were 15 games in which he struck out 10 or more, including 17 in a 1-0 loss to Tampa Bay. The 2000 campaign was the pinnacle of Pedro’s career.
By Ian Browne/MLB.com
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