Pedro Martinez: A Dominican Legend in Major League Baseball
Pedro Martinez was, without a doubt, one of the most important Latin pitchers to have played in Major League Baseball (MLB). Thanks to his excellent work on the mound, the Dominican was able to secure big contracts during his 18-year career.
Throughout his career, Martinez achieved numerous accolades, including being a three-time winner of the Cy Young award, an eight-time selection for the All-Star game, and leading the league in effectiveness for five campaigns. He also commanded MLB in strikeouts on three occasions, was triple crowned in 1999, and was a key player in the Boston Red Sox’s World Series win in 2004. These achievements led to Martinez being inducted into the Hall of Fame with 91% of the votes in 2015.
Born in 1971, in the locality of Manoguayabo, Dominican Republic, Martinez received his first contract in 1988, signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers and receiving a signing bonus of $6,500. Four years later, Martinez debuted with the Dodgers, earning the minimum salary for a rookie at the time.
After a successful stint with the Dodgers, Martinez was traded to the Montreal Expos in 1994, where he saw a significant jump in his salary, eventually leading to a contract worth $3.6 million after being named an All-Star.
However, it was with the Boston Red Sox that Martinez had his best contract, signing a deal worth $75 million for six years. He went on to become a standout figure for Boston, achieving consecutive Cy Young awards in 1999 and 2000 and leading the league in several pitching categories.
Martinez continued to shine in New York, signing with the Mets after his time with the Red Sox and maintaining his level of play, earning two more All-Star appearances.
In his final stage in MLB, Martinez played for the Philadelphia Phillies, earning $1 million for one year. After a successful career, Martinez retired from playing and transitioned into a role as an analyst for MLB Network, co-writing his autobiography “Pedro” and working with TBS to provide commentary on matches.
In total, Martinez earned $147,368,585 million dollars in his MLB career, solidifying his status as a legend in the sport.