Tag Archives: Pedro Martinez

Pedro Martinez: Clayton Kershaw ‘seems to be getting even better than I was.’

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“It’s a dream for me to sit in front of a TV to watch Clayton Kershaw. I’ve seen a lot of good pitchers, but watching Clayton Kershaw, I think, deserves a lot more respect, a lot more attention. … I don’t have enough words to actually say how great I think that kid actually is. .. This kid seems to be getting even better than I was, even better than Sandy Koufax. More exciting than Roger Clemens and Greg Maddux.”

That quote might have come from you, or your pal Steve, or your dad, or your co-worker. I’m repeating it here because it came from Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez yesterday on SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio channel with Cliff Floyd and Casey Stern.

Listen to the full context of Martinez’s comments on Kershaw here:

Don Drysdale, Pedro Martinez and Fernando Valenzuela among first Cal League Hall of Fame class.

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Former Dodgers Don Drysdale, Fernando Valenzuela and Pedro Martinez are among the 15 men in the first-ever California League Hall of Fame class.

Drysdale, Valenzuela and Martinez were all developed in the Dodgers’ organization and spent one year or less with the team’s Single-A California League affiliate.

The other inductees are are George Brett, Bruce Bochy, Jose Cruz Jr., Ken Griffey Jr., Rickey Henderson, Reggie Jackson, Sam Lynn, Xavier Nady, Vada Pinson, Gary Sheffield, Bob Talbot, and Omar Vizquel.

It’s an interesting concept, a Hall of Fame based on a class of people who largely spent one year or less in the league. The Cal League is celebrating 75 years of existence in 2016, so this is the tie-in. The league will host a Hall of Fame celebration on June 21 in Lake Elsinore prior to the California-Carolina League All-Star Game.

We might not mention it again until then.

Former Dodgers pitcher Pedro Martinez elected to Baseball Hall of Fame.

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The Baseball Hall of Fame called for former Dodgers pitcher Pedro Martinez on Tuesday.

The right-handed pitcher was listed on 91.1 percent of ballots, second only to Randy Johnson. Two others were elected, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio. It’s the first time three pitchers have been inducted to the Hall of Fame in the same year.

Former Dodgers catcher Mike Piazza was listed on 69.9 percent of ballots, short of the 75 percent needed for induction.

Continue reading “Former Dodgers pitcher Pedro Martinez elected to Baseball Hall of Fame.” »

Ten Hall of Fame questions with IBWAA founder Howard Cole.

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Pedro Martinez

Pedro Martinez is on both the BBWAA and IBWAA Hall of Fame ballots for the first time. (Getty Images)

Tomorrow is the big day for the Hall of Fame class of 2015, as the Baseball Writers’ Association of America will announce its election results at 11 a.m. on MLB Network.

A candidate must be named on 75 percent of ballots to gain induction, as usual. Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Mike Piazza, John Smoltz, Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines are the most prominent names in the spotlight this year. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly is on the ballot for the final time as a player. Dodgers hitting coach Mark McGwire, remarkably, might be on the ballot for the final time as well if he isn’t named on 5 percent of the ballots.

The website BaseballThinkFactory.com is tabulating the results of BBWAA votes as they are made public on the internet. Not all votes will be made public on the internet.

I did not receive a BBWAA ballot, since I don’t have the necessary 10 years’ experience required to vote in the Hall of Fame election.

I did, however, cast a ballot in the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America Hall of Fame election. Those results will also be announced tomorrow. The IBWAA, founded in 2009, has several members (like myself) who belong to the BBWAA as well. A few even cast ballots in both Hall of Fame elections.

Continue reading “Ten Hall of Fame questions with IBWAA founder Howard Cole.” »