Pedro Martinez News: Pro Sports Daily

Pedro's dream season with Phillies falls short

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November 6

Philadelphia Daily News

"It was early in the summer and Pedro Martinez was home in the Dominican Republic. For the first time since he was a kid, it was baseball season, and Martinez was not surrounded by a group of teammates or being cheered/jeered by a stadium full of fans. It was a little lonely, but Martinez wasn't coming back to the majors unless the situation (i.e., money) was right and there was an opportunity to win. He got both when he signed with the Phillies in July: a prorated $2 million deal and a team that was defending its championship. Martinez helped the Phillies get to the postseason, but last night, his 38-year-old right arm managed only four innings as the Phillies' season came to a crashing ..."

Manuel decision aw-Phil

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November 5

New York Post

"It was not quite Grady Little, but it was close. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel left Pedro Martinez in Game 6 last night to face Hideki Matsui in the third inning despite the fact that Matsui had already homered off Martinez. And despite the fact he had left-hander J.A. Happ warmed up in the bullpen. The decision blew up on Manuel when Matsui singled to center field to score Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon and make the score 4-1. "He knows how to pitch," Manuel said. "He's got experience. I had to let him pitch to that guy. We can go down 4-1 and we can definitely rebound there. It wasn't time for me to take him out." Martinez's final line looked good, but nearly every out the Yankees hit in ..."

'Daddy' sends Pedro packin'

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November 5

New York Post

"How do you say "Who's Your Daddy?" in Japanese? Hideki Matsui spanked Pedro Martinez last night in the Yankees' 7-3 Game 6 victory that ended the World Series and the Phillies' hopes of repeating as champs. The 38-year old Phillies pitcher couldn't duplicate his magnificent Game 2 performance thanks in large part to Matsui, the World Series MVP, who had four of his six RBIs against Martinez. Martinez left the Phillies clubhouse before it was open to the media. Several reporters, as well as an intoxicated Yankees fan, tracked him down in a hallway underneath Yankee Stadium. "I didn't get the performance I wanted and we ended up losing the game," Martinez said. "I'm extremely proud and I ..."

Daddies get last laugh as New York Yankees pound Pedro Martinez in Game 6 of World Series

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November 5

New York Daily News

"Pedro Martinez quickly bolted Yankee Stadium after a 7-3 loss in Game 6 of the World Series Wednesday night. In fact, his daddies still were celebrating their 27th title on the field as Martinez exited. "I didn't get the performance I wanted and we ended up losing the game, but I'm extremely proud and I had fun and I enjoyed it," Martinez said before boarding an elevator in the basement near the visitors' clubhouse. "I don't regret anything." Martinez lost his second game of this World Series, this time with his fastball nowhere close to 90 mph. He was charged with four runs on three hits, two walks and a hit batter in four innings. The damage came on a two-run homer and two-run single by ..."

A night at the theater

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November 4

Boston Globe

columnist Dan Shaughnessy

"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."

Phils' Martinez back on a familiar stage

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November 4

Philadelphia Inquirer

"This fall, Pedro Martinez has reminded the world of his two defining skills: an ability to outthink great hitters, and an ability to perfectly describe a moment - and perhaps infuse it with a touch of hyperbole."Two months back, I was sitting at home not doing anything," he said yesterday at Yankee Stadium. "None of you were asking me questions, and today I am here, probably pitching in one of the greatest games ever in the World Series, two great teams with a whole bunch of legendary players. When you mention Derek Jeter, you mention Alex Rodriguez, [Mark] Teixeira. I see those guys as . . . the next Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron."The veteran pitcher understands the magnitude of tonight's ..."

Pedro ready for real 'blood' battle

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November 3

New York Post

columnist Kevin Kernan

"This is the way it has to be for the Yankees. They will get the chance to win the World Series at home. They can spear the frog. Pedro Martinez is that frog. Before his Game 2 start, Pedro was waxing poetically about his career and what it means to pitch in Yankee Stadium. "Coming to Yankee Stadium for somebody like me who has, as we say, frog's blood, it doesn't mean much more than 27 outs and nine innings," Martinez said in Spanish, indicating that he was one cold-blooded Pedro, unfazed by pitching in the new $1.5 billion Yankee Stadium. "When I was younger, you could have expected a more volatile reaction, but now, I'm like a war veteran who's not fazed by bullets whistling by his ..."

Pedro twice rebuffed in bids to join Yanks

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October 31

New York Daily News

"There were plenty of "Who's Your Daddy" chants at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night when Pedro Martinez was on the mound for the Phillies, and as usual the former Red Sox ace ate it up, smiling as he came off the mound even as he fell to 0-2 with a 5.75 ERA in four career playoff appearances in the Bronx . But it's worth pointing out that Martinez twice made a bid to join his "daddies" in the family business - once when he was a free agent after the 2004 season, and again earlier this summer when he was also a free agent and worked out for numerous major league scouts. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that in both instances, there was a slim chance that Martinez was ..."

Pedro rocked by fans' venom

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October 30

New York Post

"In the bleachers, memories are longer than even the throw-backs of opposition home runs. Last night, Anthony Marsal, a student from Elizabeth, N.J., said his fondest recollection of his first Yankees game ever was someone making a 6-year-old girl in an Angels cap cry following a Darin Erstad error. If only Brian Cashman had those kind of recall powers after the Kevin Brown deal. And now it turns out Pedro Martinez not only has rabbit ears, admonishing a first-row fan last night at one point for using foul language around his daughter, but also remembers more than elephants."

Game 2 loss may mark Pedro swan song

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October 30

New York Post

"The Yankees are still Pedro's daddy. Granted, the Bombers didn't exactly reassert their paternity with an exclamation point in Game 2 of the World Series last night at Yankee Stadium. The result, though, was still the same for Pedro Martinez: more postseason frustration against the Yankees as they topped his Phillies, 3-1, to even the series at 1-1 -- in what might have been Pedro's final major-league appearance. He has strongly hinted he will hang them up if the Phillies go on to win their second consecutive World Series. Despite battling a virus, the three-time Cy Young winner was mostly terrific in his first Fall Classic appearance in five years. But the Yankees' A.J. Burnett was just a ..."

A.J. bests Martinez to even Series

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October 30

New York Post

"A.J. Burnett and Mariano Rivera altered the mood in the Yankees' universe last night better than any drug could have. Armed with a filthy curveball he was able to throw for strikes, Burnett earned his October pinstripes by allowing the Phillies a run and four hits across seven innings, and Rivera supplied two shutout innings of relief as the Yankees evened the World Series with a 3-1 Game 2 victory before a Yankee Stadium crowd of 50,181. With the best-of-seven Series tied 1-1, Game 3 is tomorrow night in Philadelphia, where Andy Pettitte opposes Cole Hamels, last year's World Series MVP the Phillies were wary of pitching in The Bronx. Instead they went with longtime Yankees villain Pedro ..."

Zim denies dissing Martinez's mom

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October 29

New York Post

"Don Zimmer strongly denied saying something about Pedro Martinez's mother during their part of an ugly Yankees-Red Sox brawl in 2003 at Fenway Park. "He was trying to punch my mouth and told me a couple of bad words about my mom," Martinez said before the Yankees' 6-1 loss to the Phillies in Game 1 of the World Series las t night at the Stadium, the first time he addressed the situation. When told about Martinez saying Zimmer said something about his mother, Zimmer denied it. "He is nuts," Zimmer told The Post. "What's he talking [about]. What the hell, it's been so long ago. I went on national television the next day and apologized and I said Pedro had nothing to do with the fight, that ..."

Pedro Martinez rips Post for coverage of Zimmer incident

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October 29

New York Post

"The Post is in Pedro Martinez's head. On the eve of his Game 2 World Series start against the Yankees, Martinez complained about a Post headline from 2004 that still weighs on the Phillies pitcher's mind. The headline read "The Man N.Y. Loves to Hate," and apparently poor, little Pedro's feelings were hurt. "I remember quotes in the paper, 'Here comes the man that New York loves to hate,' " Martinez said before the Yankees' 6-1 loss to the Phillies in Game 1 of the World Series last night at the Stadium. "Man? None of you have probably ever eaten steak with me or rice and beans with me to understand what the man is about. You might say the player, the competitor, but the man? You guys have ..."

Old pro still gettin' it done

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October 29

New York Post

columnist David Wells

"PEDRO Martinez on the mound against the Yankees tonight in the World Series should be great theater. I'll be the first to admit it: I didn't give Pedro a chance in his first start of the postseason against the Dodgers in the NLCS. I said he was done after four innings -- he's not going to make it. And he totally turned my head. I apologized on national TV and said, "He is a great warrior." Pedro allowed just two hits over seven shutout innings, all the evidence you need he can still handle a big game. Of course, there is history between Pedro and the Yankees (who lost 6-1 to the Phillies in Game 1 of the World Series at the Stadium. I was part of that 2003 Yankees team that faced the Red ..."

Pedro Martinez slams Don Zimmer again for 2003 bout, Zim admits fault

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October 29

New York Daily News

"Pedro Martinez believes he might be the most influential player ever to perform in the Bronx. And while Martinez is sorry he tossed Don Zimmer to the ground when the benches cleared during the 2003 ALCS, the former Red Sox ace placed the fault squarely on Zimmer. "I'm sorry I'm going to recall this, because it was an ugly scene," Martinez said on the eve of his World Series start in Game 2 Thursday night against the Yankees with a chance to put the Phillies up 2-0. "This is probably the first time I'm ever going to talk about it publicly. But when Zim came over to me, I thought he was going to just give me advice or something, just '...You need to slow down or something,' or try to make it ..."

Phillies pitcher Pedro Martinez speaks his mind

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October 29

Miami Herald

"Pedro Martinez, scheduled to start for the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night in Game 2 of the World Series, always has had a colorful history with the fans in the Bronx. On Wednesday, the 38-year-old three-time Cy Young Award winner added another chapter with some interesting comments during his pregame news conference. Martinez expressed his feelings on the now infamous ``Who's your daddy?'' chants New York Yankees fans pelted him with during the 2004 American League Championship Series, his on-field brawl with former Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer in the 2003 ALCS and the way the New York media ``demonized'' him. ``I don't know if you realize this, but because of you guys in some ..."

Martinez comfortable as bad guy in the Bronx

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October 29

Washington Times

"In this city of larger-than-life stories, of heroes and villains, there's nobody quite like Pedro Martinez. Few pitchers have intersected with the New York Yankees in more big moments, enjoyed a more dominant peak or had more fun playing the role of the bad guy in the Bronx - first with the Boston Red Sox during their two-year postseason quest to overtake the Yankees and then with the crosstown New York Mets. It was Martinez who threw Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer to the ground during a brawl in the 2003 American League Championship Series - an incident he called "a disgrace" Wednesday and said he now regrets. It was Martinez who famously called the Yankees his "daddy" after one ..."

Martinez blames Zimmer for '03 altercation

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October 29

New York Post

"Pedro Martinez is back in The Bronx and he had some things to get off his chest In his pregame press conference, Martinez spoke about how the media made him the most influential player at Yankee Stadium and defended himself for pushing 72-year-old Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer to the ground in 2003. Martinez said he believed Zimmer was originally coming at him to give advice. "So he comes at me and I thought he was going to say something, but his reaction was totally different," said Martinez, who will start Game 2 of the World Series for the Phillies. "He was trying to punch my mouth and called me a couple of bad words about my mom. And I just had to react and defend myself. But the ..."

Martinez will start Game 2 of World Series

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October 28

New York Daily News

"Pedro Martinez will let Phillies teammate Jimmy Rollins do all of the talking and prediction-making. After Rollins went on late-night television and predicted a Phillies World Series victory over the Yankees in five, maybe six games, Martinez wasn't about to jump into the fray yesterday. "That's Jimmy, and I'm Pedro," said Martinez in Yankee Stadium's Great Hall. Tuesday, Martinez was confirmed as the Game 2 starter Thursday, which means a return to the stage where he has recorded some of his most memorable pitching moments, even though they occurred across the street at the old Stadium. The atmosphere will be no less electric when the 38-year-old Martinez takes the mound in a Phillies ..."

Martinez will relish return to big stage

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October 28

Camden Courier-Post

"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 ..."

At 38, Martinez has teammates' and foes' respect

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October 28

Philadelphia Inquirer

"For somebody who didn't pitch his first major-league game this season until Aug. 12, Phillies righthander Pedro Martinez could have a profound influence on this World Series. Martinez was named to start Game 2 tomorrow at Yankee Stadium. Even though Martinez turned 38 on Sunday, he has looked much younger, especially in the NLCS, when he threw seven shutout innings and received a no-decision in a 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Martinez would not be the oldest pitcher to win a World Series game. That distinction belongs to Dolf Luque, who was 43 when he captured the deciding Game 5 over the Washington Senators in relief for the New York Giants. That was 1933, well before even Martinez ..."

Martinez on Game 2 Series start: No big deal

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October 28

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Pedro Martinez didn't seem to be surprised when Phillies manager Charlie Manuel yesterday named the righthander his World Series Game 2 starter tomorrow against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium"My reaction was the way it is now, relaxed and normal," Martinez said yesterday before the team's workout at Yankee Stadium.Manuel said he picked Martinez to split up his lefthanded starters. Cliff Lee is the Game 1 starter tonight, and Cole Hamels is slated to start Game 3 on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park."I wanted to split my lefties up, and also I felt like Pedro was the ideal guy to go in between them because of what type of pitcher he is, and his command, how he can change speeds, and ..."

Pedro gets Game 2 start for Phillies

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October 27

MLB.com

"Phillies manager Charlie Manuel dropped a few big hints the past few days that Pedro Martinez would pitch Game 2 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium. He made it official Tuesday morning. Manuel announced during his weekly appearance on The Michael Smerconish Show on WPHT Radio in Philadelphia that Martinez will start against the New York Yankees in Game 2 on Thursday and Cole Hamels will start Game 3 on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. Martinez is 11-11 with a 3.20 ERA in 32 career starts against the Yankees in the regular season, and is 8-4 with a 2.95 ERA in 16 career starts at Yankee Stadium. He is 1-2 with a 4.72 ERA in six postseason appearances against the Yankees, and is 0-2 with ..."

Martinez Will Get the One Start He Wanted Most - a World Series Game

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October 24

New York Times

"Pedro Martinez did not want to discuss baseball on Friday, but he was eager to share that he taught Manny Ramirez's son how to fish. Back in the Dominican Republic, where his boat is docked, Martinez loves to reel in marlin and wahoo. He has sharpened his techniques over many an off-season, including the longest one of his career. That off-season stretched into July as he rejected contract offers because something was not good enough - either the money offered, which cut straight to Martinez's pride, or the interested team. He wanted only to pitch for a National League contender so that he could add a second World Series ring to the one he earned with Boston in 2004. The last three and a ..."

PEDRO WANTS YANKS. DO YOU?

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October 23

Camden Courier-Post

"It's a quotation so legendary that it follows Pedro Martinez wherever he goes. "I just tip my hat and call the Yankees my daddy." Pedro uttered those words in 2004 when, as a member of the Red Sox, he suffered a late-season loss to the Yankees. And later that year, when Boston played in the AL Championship Series at old Yankee Stadium, sellout crowds began to serenade Pedro with chants of "Who's your daddy?" So, naturally, after the Phillies clinched their spot in the World Series last night, Pedro was asked if he'd rather face the Angels or the Yankees next week."

Phillies' Pedro Martinez knows about comebacks

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October 21

Los Angeles Times

"Having been a part of the biggest comeback in baseball playoff history, Pedro Martinez is hoping to avoid experiencing the wrong side of an epic collapse. His Philadelphia Phillies lead the Dodgers, three games to one, in the National League Championship Series, with Game 5 scheduled for Wednesday evening at Citizens Bank Park. Martinez pitched for Boston in 2004 when the Red Sox overcame a 3-0 series deficit to defeat the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series. Also on that team: current Dodgers Manny Ramirez and Doug Mientkiewicz. "Manny is a guy who has been through everything and so has Doug," Martinez said Tuesday. "They can be really inspirational to those guys ..."

Pair of old Sox match up

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October 15

Boston Globe

"Manny Ramirez and Pedro Martinez are in different places now, and that's not a reference to their uniforms. They were once the best of the best. One guy you couldn't get out. The other you couldn't hit. Both should get to the Hall of Fame, though Ramirez isn't as much of a lock if voters hold his 50-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs against him. They are competing in the National League Championship Series, on opposite sides, Martinez with the Phillies and Ramirez with the Dodgers. They are a huge part of Red Sox lore, teammates in 2004 when they helped pull off the greatest comeback in baseball history against the Yankees and went on to win the World Series."

Happ will pitch Game 3 against Rockies for Phillies

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October 10

Denver Post

"Mother Nature might have done the Phillies a big favor by throwing an early winter pitch at Denver that forced postponement of tonight's Game 3 of the National League Division Series. Left-hander J.A. Happ will now start the third game, which has been pushed back to Sunday. Veteran right-hander Pedro Martinez had been slated to pitch tonight. The Rockies have struggled against left-handed pitching and facing Martinez at Coors Field seemed to favor the Rockies in the pivotal Game 3. The best-of-five series is tied at one game apiece. Happ was hit in the leg by a line drive in Thursday's Game 2 in Philadelphia. The extra day allowed him to heal up enough to start. The new schedule also sets ..."

Given extra day, Phils to go with Happ

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October 10

MLB.com

"Cold weather forced Game 3 of the National League Division Series to be pushed back until Sunday and led the Phillies to decide to start J.A. Happ instead of Pedro Martinez. The Phillies revealed this change in their rotation on Saturday afternoon, a few hours after it had been announced that Game 3 against the Rockies will now be played on Sunday at Coors Field at 10:07 p.m. ET. Happ, who will be making his first postseason start, was struck on the left leg with a line drive during a seventh-inning relief appearance during Game 2 on Thursday. The rookie left-hander threw just four pitches during the outing and has since said that his leg isn't bothering him."

Phillies' Martinez to start Game 3 vs. Rockies

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October 10

Denver Post

"Pedro Martinez will start game 3 for the Phillies at Coors Field on Saturday, manager Charlie Manuel said today. Manuel said JA Happ is a possible choice to start Game 4 on Sunday. Manuel likes Martinez's track record in the postseason and the fact that the former Cy Young winner has previously pitched in cold weather in the postseason. "I say he's gonna throw anywhere from 85 to 100 pitches," Manuel said. "Pedro is in very good shape, a lot better shape than last year. He throws a lot on the side. He is ready to go.""

Weather, Pedro the talk of Rox clubhouse

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October 10

Denver Post

"What's the old adage? Everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it. In the case of the Rockies and Phillies, all they can do is bundle up, grin and bear it if Saturday's Game 3 of the National League Division Series is played in sub-freezing temperatures, or if early October snow descends on Coors Field. "It doesn't bother me, I'm a cold-weather guy," Rockies Game 3 starter Jason Hammel said today. "I enjoy pitching in the cold. It doesn't bother me. Humidity hurts me because I sweat like a pig. But honestly, I'm excited just to get out there." Rockies manager Jim Tracy promises his team won't make any excuses if Saturday's game is played in adverse weather and the ..."

Baylor's advice: Don't let Pedro's image spook you

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October 10

Denver Post

"The advice from Rockies hitting instructor Don Baylor for tonight's game against Philadelphia's Pedro Martinez is simple: React to what you are seeing, not who you are facing. "You can't worry about a reputation," Baylor said. "We will watch tape and be ready." Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was even more blunt: "If you get caught up in somebody's name in the playoffs, then you will be (done) because everybody you face is good." Martinez provided great theater Friday, cracking jokes and nearly straining his rotator cuff patting himself on the back for choosing to sign with the Phillies. Despite his long career, the Rockies have little experience against the veteran. He spent a chunk of time in ..."

Martinez could make a difference

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October 10

Camden Courier-Post

"Pedro Martinez has pitched in the grandest of stages. He has pitched seven shutout innings in the 2004 World Series, in critical games of the ALCS, and perhaps most incredibly, six no-hit innings in relief in the deciding Game 5 of the ALDS in 1999 with a sore shoulder that Martinez said left him "almost in tears." In other words, Martinez has been there, done that, when it comes to pitching in the postseason. Yet it wasn't hard to detect the glee that Martinez felt Friday when Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee told him that he would start tonight in Game 3 in the NLDS against the Rockies. The game is critical for the Phillies. The winner will take a 2-1 lead, putting the other team near ..."

It's official: Pedro to start

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October 10

Camden Courier-Post

"All along, Pedro Martinez saw this coming. From the moment Joe Blanton entered Game 2 in the sixth inning and J.A. Happ was hit by a line drive in the seventh, Martinez had a feeling he would be the Phillies' choice to start tonight's all-important Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Colorado Rockies. He's likely to do it amid predicted near-record cold and snow showers at Coors Field. Friday, before the Phillies worked out here, he got confirmation that's he'd start. "I sent (pitching coach Rich) Dubee to tell him," manager Charlie Manuel said, "but I think he kind of knew, really. He kind of put two and two together (Thursday) night." It doesn't take a genius to ..."

Manuel hoping for a glimpse of vintage Pedro

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October 10

Washington Times

"The last time Pedro Martinez was on this kind of stage, he was already done being the unstoppable ace who lit up Fenway Park from 1998 to 2003, the right-handed pitcher whose mound presence was so commanding and whose change-up was so filthy, it rendered a surname pointless. That kind of a run doesn't last forever, and when Martinez pitched for the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 World Series, he was already a supporting act. It was Curt Schilling, not Martinez, who pitched his way into Red Sox lore with his performance in ending the Red Sox's 86-year drought. Martinez? Sure, he was competent in the 2004 postseason, trying to turn in seven workmanlike innings when he was asked, but he just ..."

Cheerful Martinez takes ball for Game 3

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October 10

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Pedro Martinez expected to be named the Phillies' starting pitcher for tonight's Game 3 of the National League division series, but was giddy nonetheless after the official announcement was made."Hello, hello, everybody, hi," he said yesterday, grinning and waving while making an entrance into the interview room at Coors Field worthy of a stand-up comedian. "Which one is my chair?"The mood of the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer has been light since the Phillies granted his career a reprieve this summer, but his task is serious: keep the Phillies from falling behind the Colorado Rockies by two games to one in a best-of-five series. He will face righthander Jason Hammel.Manager Charlie ..."

Martinez will start for Phillies in Game 3 tonight

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October 10

Philadelphia Daily News

"The story? Heck, you won't find many better ones this postseason.Five years after his last playoff start, Pedro Martinez returns to the mound tonight, his manager having decided yesterday to entrust him with the pivotal third game of this best-of-five National League Division Series. He is one of the greatest active pitchers in the game, a man who has won a World Series and three Cy Youngs, while time and time again displaying a knack for elevating his game to match the moment.He has overcome shoulder surgery and a balky groin and numerous other personal challenges to return to a land that has eluded him since his glory days with the Boston Red Sox.Back in August, after his first start ..."

Martinez to start Game 3 for Phils

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October 9

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Pedro Martinez will be the Phillies' starting pitcher for Game 3 Saturday against the Rockies. Sunday's Game 4 starter will be announced on Saturday. Martinez is the only Phillies starter who hasn't pitched yet in this series. Weather could be a factor, with snow flurries possible Saturday in frigid Colorado. The 37-year-old Martinez didn't sound fazed. "Maybe I'll be running the bases in a snowmobile," he quipped Thursday."

Phillies name Pedro Game 3 starter

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October 9

MLB.com

"Pedro Martinez, Boston's warhorse in four postseasons from 1998-2004, was named by Phillies manager Charlie Manuel on Friday to be the starter in Saturday's Game 3 of the National League Division Series in Colorado. For Martinez, the start will complete a journey that began the season when he opened the season as a free agent. Phillies scouts observed Martinez in July before signing him to a one-year deal. On Aug. 12, he replaced Jamie Moyer in the Phillies rotation and won his 2009 debut. When Martinez won his third game of the season on Sept. 3, the veteran right-hander became the 10th pitcher in Major League history to win 100 or more games in each league. The Phillies came out winners ..."

Martinez says he's ready if called to start Game 3

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October 9

Florida Today

"When the Phillies' bullpen phone rang in the fifth inning of Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies and right-hander Joe Blanton was told to get up, Pedro Martinez knew he had a 50-50 chance of starting Game 3 of the National League Division Series. An inning later, the phone rang again and rookie left-hander J.A. Happ was ordered to get loose. That's when Martinez' eyes lit up like a Christmas tree in October. "My experience tells me I'd be the guy for the next game," Martinez said while relaxing in front of his locker stall following the Phillies' loss. "Happy was used, Blanton was used and I'm the only one standing." Although Phillies manager Charlie Manuel left open the ..."

Phillies scramble for Game 3 starter in Colorado

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October 9

Florida Today

"The pitching plans of Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel remain shrouded in mystery. Now they might depend on medical reports.Rookie of the Year candidate J.A. Happ was struck by a line drive below his left kneecap during Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies in Game 2 of their National League Division Series. Meanwhile, three-time Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez is well-rested but had a stiff neck in September. The forecast for Saturday's Game 3 in Denver calls for temperatures in the 30s and possibly snow."

Pedro's prediction: It's me

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October 9

Camden Courier-Post

"When the Phillies' bullpen phone rang in the fifth inning of Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies and right-hander Joe Blanton was told to get up, Pedro Martinez knew he had a 50-50 chance of starting Game 3 of the National League Division Series. An inning later, the phone rang again, and rookie left-hander J.A. Happ was ordered to get loose. That's when Martinez's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. "My experience tells me I'd be the guy for the next game," Martinez said while relaxing in front of his locker stall following the Phillies' loss. "Happy was used, Blanton was used and I'm the only one standing." Although Phillies manager Charlie Manuel left open the possibility of ..."

Martinez ready if named Game 3 starter

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October 9

Philadelphia Inquirer

"How does Pedro Martinez look at it?"I guess I'm the only one standing," Martinez said last night at his locker after the Phillies lost Game 2 of the National League division series to Colorado, 5-4.Martinez is the only Phillies starter who hasn't pitched yet in this series."My experience tells me I might be the guy for the next game," the righthander said.Not so fast, Pedro. Manager Charlie Manuel said last night that his choice for tomorrow's Game 3 in Denver is probably between Martinez and Joe Blanton, who threw 19 pitches in a spotless sixth inning yesterday. J.A. Happ also wants in the mix despite leaving yesterday's game when he took a line drive to his left shin after four ..."

Who will Phillies' Game 3 starter be?

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October 9

Philadelphia Daily News

"SOMETIMES THE manager dictates the situation. And sometimes the situation dictates the manager.As Charlie Manuel trudged out of Citizens Bank Park last night, following the 5-4 loss to Colorado that evened the Phillies' best-of-five National League Division Series against the Rockies at a game apiece, his options for a Game 3 starter tomorrow night at Coors Field were considerably more limited than they'd been a few hours earlier.In fact, Pedro Martinez believes he's down to only one choice. "I guess I'm the only one standing," he said.So does he think he'll get the ball?"I think so. I believe so. I've been in this game long enough to understand that it's my spot," he said.The 37-year-old ..."

Pedro Martinez happy he found the right team

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October 7

Philadelphia Inquirer

"As the party wound down Wednesday night in the Phillies' clubhouse, Pedro Martinez stood in front of his locker. He looked around at the champagne corks that littered the floor, happy residue of the Phillies' National League East title.A big smile swept across his face."This is exactly what I wanted to see when I decided to come back," Martinez said. "Hopefully, it doesn't end here."Martinez, 37, is in the postseason for the fifth time in his storied career. He is likely to savor this trip more than others because, in some ways, it is a bonus.The three-time Cy Young winner was out of baseball until the Phillies signed him in July. Martinez's previous three seasons, all with the New York ..."

Martinez decides to rest longer

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September 26

Camden Courier-Post

"For nearly 10 minutes Friday, Ruben Amaro Jr. and Pedro Martinez met behind closed doors within the Phillies' clubhouse to talk about Martinez's next start, initially scheduled for today at Miller Park. "One of the things that I said to Pedro was to make sure that he's 100 percent with his health because we're going to need him," Amaro said. "We don't want him to risk further injury, and if he can't go, we do have other people who can go in his place." Martinez heeded those words. After playing catch in the outfield during batting practice, Martinez, lifted after three innings last Saturday night in Atlanta because of stiffness near the right side of his neck, agreed to push back his ..."

Martinez taking no chances with injury

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September 26

Philadelphia Inquirer

"If the Phillies' lead in the National League East were slimmer, Pedro Martinez would pitch tonight. But despite improvement in his sore neck, Martinez decided not to make his scheduled start. Kyle Kendrick will fill in."We have a margin now that allows us to be smart," Martinez said. "It's not like [my neck is] getting worse; it's getting better. But I don't want to take a chance of not having a chance when it really counts."Martinez strained his neck while swinging and missing last Saturday in Atlanta. He underwent two chiropractic adjustments this week and played catch on Wednesday. After throwing again last evening, Martinez decided to be cautious.The Phillies have not said when his ..."

Phillies fans, no need to panic about Martinez

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September 26

Philadelphia Daily News

columnist Paul Hagen

"First came the foreshadowing, a closed-door meeting in the visiting manager's office at Miller Park between Pedro Martinez and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.Then came the wait. Martinez peeled off the adhesive tape that was holding ice packs around his shoulders and upper back - he joked that it made him look like the humpback of Notre Dame - and went to leftfield to test the stiff neck that forced him to make an early exit from his last start.Finally came the announcement. Martinez has been scratched from his scheduled start tonight against the Brewers. Kyle Kendrick will get the ball instead.This development will disappoint those who had planned to watch "The Pedro Show" on ..."

8-inning gem eliminates Mets

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September 14

New York Post

"Postseason elimination for the Mets had been a foregone conclusion since roughly mid-July, but it seemed only fitting that Pedro Martinez made it official last night. The three-time Cy Young winner, who wanted nothing more than for the Mets to re-sign him this season, continued his magical comeback by pitching the rival Phillies to a 1-0 win in the second game of a day-night doubleheader, to complete the sweep at Citizens Bank Park. The twin losses -- Philadelphia took the opener, 5-4 -- officially ended the 63-81 Mets' playoff chances. Martinez applied the knockout blow on national TV with eight masterful innings of six-hit ball to improve to 5-0 since signing with the Phillies in late ..."