Watching the Red Sox game last night, commentator Dennis Eckersley, for good reason, was gushing over Pedro Martinez, who was making his first start of the season for the Philadelphia Phillies after signing a one-year, incentive-laden deal earlier in the year.
When he was a member of the Red Sox, Pedro was amazing to watch. He was as close to automatic as you’d get during a dominant five-year span. My greatest memory of him was in April 2001, when he struck out 16 during a cold and rainy day against the Devil Rays.
But during his man love session about Pedro, Eck made a great point: Martinez was insanely dominant during a time when juicers owned the game. From 1997-2002, Pedro averaged 17 wins and 5 losses, and that included a 7-3 season in 2001, when he made only 18 starts.
During that time, he won three Cy Young awards, two in the American League and one in the NL with the Montreal Expos. He also finished second twice. In those six seasons, his earned run average went like this: 1.90, 2,89, 2.07, 1.74, 2.39, 2.26.
Including last night’s victory – he allowed three runs on seven hits in five innings, striking out five and walking one – Martinez has 215 for his career. Not exactly Hall of Fame numbers, but like Jim Rice, he was a dominant player for a substantial period of time. And he did it when balls were flying out of the ballpark at a torrid pace.
Sure Pedro had his moments in Boston, and things didn't end on a high note (although he won a ring in 2004 with the Sox), but there's no arguing about what he brought to the table.
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I can't really argue against Pedro's Hall of Fame credentials. But I think each sports Hall of Fame should build a "Wacko Wing" for the athletes who excelled on the field but tainted their public images because they're completely and totally insane. Martinez certainly would belong in that wing of the baseball Hall of Fame ... with his mango tree.
In pro football's "Wacko Wing," you could have guys like Brett Favre (although I wouldn't have put him there a few years ago) and Terrell Owens, to name a few future Hall of Famers.
There probably are plenty of basketball candidates, but other than Dennis Rodman (who just belongs in a wacko hall of fame), I can't seem to think of any. Rodman's a nut job, no question, but his 7.3 points and 13.1 rebounds a game probably aren't Hall of Fame worthy.
Unfortunately, when I think crazy basketball player, my brain won't allow me to venture past Rodman.
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