Six years later, he is back in new Yankee Stadium, still pitching for the honor of Red Sox Nation.
Pedro Martinez gets the ball in Game 6 tonight of the World Series, and he is the only thing standing between the Evil Empire and its 27th world championship.
In his role as Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher, Pedro knows he is carrying the colors for Sox fans around the world - just as he did in 2003 when Grady Little left him on the mound too long in the ancient ballpark across the street.
Yesterday Pedro was reminded that every thinking Sox fan is rooting against the Yankees.
“It wouldn’t surprise me at all,’’ said a smiling Martinez. “I know they don’t like the Yankees to win, not even in Nintendo games. And knowing that I am part of Boston, I consider myself a Bostonian . . . I’m pretty sure that every Boston fan out there can feel proud that I’m going to try to beat the Yankees, and I’m going to give just the same effort I always did for them. They’re special fans, and they will always have my respect.’’
Great stuff.
No one likes the spotlight more than Pedro. That’s why tonight’s game is one of the great sporting events of the year. It’s must-see TV.
Pedro has the perfect temperament for this stage. He is a diva’s diva. He wants the ball at the end of the game. He makes Diana Ross look like a humble Pip.
At 180 pounds, Pedro is bigger than Aretha Franklin. He’s Maria Callas, Mariah Carey, and Celine Dion. His heart will go on. He is a prime-time performer with a Bill O’Reilly ego. He was born to pitch in the big games and it’s hard to find one bigger than tonight at The House That Jeter Built.
Just a few months after his apparent retirement under a mango tree in the Dominican Republic, the little guy with the giant chip on his shoulder gets the ball in a potential clinch game for the Yankees. Which makes for great theater. The moneybags Yanks are on the cusp of their first championship since 2000, and only Pedro can stop them.
Feeding the tabloid beasts, Pedro has been an absolute quote machine in this Fall Classic. Last week in New York he said, “If I was on the Yankees, I’d probably be like a king over here.’’ He also said, “I might be the most influential player that ever stepped in Yankee Stadium.’’
Good one. Forget about Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and even Jackie Robinson. In his own mind, Pedro takes the cake. Every time. That’s why we can’t wait for him to take the mound in the bottom of the first.