Pedro Martinez is a First Ballot Hall of Famer, right?

[RyDogg66]

Pedro Martinez made his 2007 debut today. He went 5 innings, 3 R, 2ER, 3BB and 4k. He got the win, his 207th of this career, and his 3,000th strikeout. He was working in the low to mid 80s, reaching 87 when he really reached back to get some. He'll 36 next year. I can see him playing 1-3 more years, depending on how he continues to come back from his rotator cuff surgery. If he finished his career with the Mets he could get to 225-230 wins.

 

Still, he was just about the best pitcher in the mid 90s to early 2000s. Career ERA+ of 160, but in the steroid era he had ERAs under 2.00 twice and one year 2.07. ERA+ of 221, 160, 245, 285, 189, 196, 212 from 1997-2003.

 

Looks like a first ballot HOFer to me, even if he doesnt throw another pitch.

[endaround]

Martinez has been a first ballot HOFer for about 7 years. He's arguably had the greatest sustained peak ever seen.

[gregmag]

Pedro's peak was indeed monstrous -- but he isn't all peak, either. Koufax is probably the ultimate "peak value" HoF pitcher, and Pedro absolutely wipes the floor with him, granting that Koufax went out on top. But if you use ERA+ as a metric, Pedro's career number is 160 -- Sandy only had three seasons better than that, with a career mark of 131. Pedro had a run of 13 straight years where he pitched at least 107 innings and had an ERA+ of at least 117. That's just unspeakable. Clemens (career ERA+ 143), who we think of as combining a great peak with tremendous longevity, has had 15 such years; Randy Johnson (career ERA+ 137) has had 11 (both numbers nonconsecutive). Pedro's career basically is his peak.

 

Greg.

[brettac1]

No doubt about it. His 2000 season is just unbelievable. The dude had a 1.74 ERA in the AL East.

[mothershipconnection]

No doubt. Great numbers, 3 Cy Young's, nice longevity, part of Boston's "curse breaking" WS win. He's in.

[endaround]

I think it will be awhile before its fully realized but the late 90s through early 100s had some of the greatest hitters and pitchers that ever played. You had two definite top ten pitchers with Clemens and Martinez along with guys in the discussion like Maddux and Johnson. You also have Bonds and ARod palying at their peaks.

[JimH5]

He's a first ballot guy for sure. Terrific winning percentage, unbelieveable ERAs vs. the league averages, 3000 strikeouts, best pitcher in the game for a decent stretch. First ballot Hall of Famer, despite the "first ballot" thing means absolutely nothing.