"Pedro Martinez has pitched in Yankee Stadium -- the old one -- many times before.

He once called the Yankees "my daddy," and no doubt the fans will serenade him with "Who's your daddy?"

Martinez will enjoy it.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel announced Tuesday that Martinez will start Game 2 of the World Series Thursday against the Yankees.

"Who knows?" Martinez said. "This might be my last game on the big stage. I'm going to enjoy it no matter what happens . . . This isn't a dream, it's a reality. Very few have the opportunity to pitch on this stage, and I'm one of the blessed ones who have done it more than once."

Martinez, who turned 38 Sunday, was out of baseball when the season started after a deplorable 2008 season with the Mets, when he went 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA. The Phillies, desperate for pitching help, signed him in July.

Now he's back in the World Series for the first time since 2004 after going 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA in the season's final two months.

"I was hoping to choose the right team, and boy, am I a good scout or what?" Martinez said with a laugh. "I did scout the right team. Who imagined it was going to be the Phillies in the World Series? No one could say it at that time."

Martinez helped them get there. He started Game 2 of the NLCS against the Dodgers, his first time pitching in 17 days. He was masterful, mixing a changeup and curveball with his 90 mph fastball.

Martinez shut out the Dodgers through seven innings, giving up only two hits. The Phillies lost the game 2-1, which was their only loss in the NLCS.

Still, even Martinez didn't see that coming."