Pedro Martinez, one of the most widely discussed and debated topics in the annals of baseball history is the all-time greatest pitcher. A three-time Cy Young Award winner, a World Series champion and a Hall of Famer, Pedro Martinez left an indelible mark on the game. Over his 18-year career, Martinez amassed an impressive 219-100 record with a 2.93 ERA and 3,154 strikeouts, which is good for sixth all-time. He was one of the greatest pitchers of his era, and some believe he was the greatest of all-time. In this article, we will explore the arguments for and against Pedro Martinez as the greatest pitcher of all time.
His Stats
When evaluating any player’s case for being the greatest of all-time, their statistical record is one of the most important factors. As such, Pedro Martinez’s record speaks for itself. He earned three Cy Young Awards and was a five-time All-Star over his 18-year career. He finished in the top five in Cy Young voting seven different times, and led the league in ERA five times.
Regular Season
In the regular season, Martinez posted a 219-100 record with a 2.93 ERA. His 3,154 strikeouts are good for sixth all-time and he allowed just 8.8 hits per nine innings. He was a masterful control artist, leading the league in walks per nine innings four times and in strikeout-to-walk ratio seven times.
Postseason
In the postseason, Martinez posted a 10-6 record with a 3.46 ERA. He was masterful in Game 3 of the 1999 ALCS against the Cleveland Indians, throwing a one-hitter and striking out 17 batters. In the World Series, Martinez earned his only championship, winning two games against the New York Yankees in 1999.
His Impact
In addition to his impressive statistical record, Pedro Martinez had a huge impact on the game of baseball. He revolutionized the game with his unique combination of power and finesse. His electric fastball and devastating changeup are still talked about to this day. He was the first true power pitcher in the modern era, and his success paved the way for future generations of pitchers.
His Competitors
When making the argument for Pedro Martinez as the greatest pitcher of all-time, it is important to consider his competition. There have been several other pitchers throughout baseball history who may have been better than Martinez. Here are some of the most notable:
Cy Young
No discussion of the greatest pitcher of all-time is complete without mentioning Cy Young. Young was a five-time 20-game winner and won 511 games over his 22-year career. He also posted a 2.63 ERA and 7,356 strikeouts, both of which are records that stand to this day.
Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan was one of the most dominant pitchers of his era. He led the league in strikeouts 11 times and posted a 324-292 record with a 3.19 ERA. He also threw seven no-hitters and is the all-time leader in strikeouts with 5,714.
Sandy Koufax
Sandy Koufax was one of the best left-handed pitchers of all-time. He posted a 165-87 record with a 2.76 ERA and 2,396 strikeouts in 12 seasons. He is a three-time Cy Young Award winner and a seven-time All-Star.
Walter Johnson
Walter Johnson was one of the first great pitchers in baseball history. He posted a 417-279 record with a 2.17 ERA and 3,508 strikeouts. He led the league in strikeouts 12 times and was a two-time MVP.
Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens is one of the most controversial pitchers of all-time. He posted a 354-184 record with a 3.12 ERA and 4,672 strikeouts. He was a seven-time Cy Young Award winner and an 11-time All-Star.
The Argument For Pedro Martinez
Given his impressive statistical record and the impact he had on the game, there is a strong case to be made for Pedro Martinez as the greatest pitcher of all-time. He was one of the most dominant pitchers of his era, and his combination of power and finesse was unmatched. He was a three-time Cy Young Award winner and a World Series champion. He led the league in ERA five times and had the sixth-most strikeouts in history. He was a masterful control artist and his electric fastball and devastating changeup were a nightmare for hitters.
The Argument Against Pedro Martinez
While there is a strong case to be made for Pedro Martinez being the greatest pitcher of all-time, there are also several arguments against him. His career lasted only 18 years, whereas some of his competitors had careers that lasted much longer. He also never won 300 games, which is one of the hallmarks of greatness. Furthermore, some of his competitors such as Cy Young, Walter Johnson and Nolan Ryan have more impressive records.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it is impossible to definitively say who the greatest pitcher of all-time is. Everyone has different criteria for what makes a pitcher great, and there are several pitchers throughout history who could make a case for being the best. That being said, Pedro Martinez is certainly in the conversation. His impressive statistical record and the impact he had on the game make him one of the greatest pitchers of all-time.