Chowder and Champions
Fansided

Boston Red Sox: Ten Greatest Starting Pitchers of All-Time

By Dan Schmelzer

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 11
Next

#1: Pedro Martinez

Jul 28, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Hall of Fame player Pedro Martinez speaks to the crowd during his number retirement ceremony before the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Arguably the most dominant pitcher of his era, I think most would agree in naming Pedro Martinez the greatest pitcher in Boston Red Sox history. His seven-year stretch with the Red Sox was not the longest, but it carried the most impact.

Live Feed

MLB Rumors: Mike Trout regret, Mets in on Japanese phenom, Red Sox bummer
MLB Rumors: Mike Trout regret, Mets in on Japanese phenom, Red Sox bummer /

FanSided

  • What does magic number mean and where did the term originate? FanSided
  • Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts' comment Call to the Pen
  • MLB Rumors: Red Sox Ohtani favorites, Cubs rotation shake-up, Mariners surge FanSided
  • Dodgers vs. Red Sox prediction and odds for Saturday, Aug. 26 (Value on total) Dodgers Way
  • Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen Call to the Pen

    • Let’s just put it this way. If you need to win one game, there may not be a better option that Red Sox era Pedro. I’m not talking about just Red Sox pitchers, that decision is easy, I am taking into consideration any pitcher in baseball history. It was for a relatively short period of time, but Pedro Martinez was basically un-hittable while he was in Boston.

    Simply put, his ability to go in and completely shut down an offense during this time is unrivaled.

    Martinez made his Boston debut in 1998, coming off of a National League Cy Young winning season with the Montreal Expos. Martinez immediately dominated for the Red Sox, finishing 19-7 with a 2.89 ERA. He finished second in the American League in ERA, strikeouts (251) and Cy Young voting.

    Martinez probably had his best career season in 1999, winning the pitching Triple Crown by leading the American League in wins (23-4 record), ERA (2.07) and strikeouts (313). He unanimously ran away with the Cy Young, and finished second in MVP voting. Pedro won another Cy Young the next season in 2000, leading the league with a 1.74 ERA and 284 strikeouts.

    Pedro’s dominance continued throughout his last four years with the Red Sox, capped off by leading the Red Sox to their first World Series championship since 1918 in 2004. Martinez left the Red Sox to join the New York Mets during the off season, but him leading the Red Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years will always be fondly remembered.

    Next: Signing David Price a Symbolic Change for Red Sox

    Martinez was the best pitcher in baseball throughout his time with the Red Sox. His legendary number 45 is retired by the team, and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (receiving 91% of the vote on his first ballot) as a member of the Red Sox in 2015.

    Home/Red Sox All-Time Lists