Pedro Martinez

Yesterday Pedro threw a 6-hit, 10 strikeout shutout and again reminded people that he is still one of the best - if not the best - pitcher in baseball.

So far this season Pedro is 13-4 with 164 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.72. Statistically he is Top 10 in the following categories in the AL:

- ERA - 9th
- Wins - tied for 2nd
- Innings pitched - tied 6th
- Strikeouts - 2nd
- K to BB ratio - 5th
- Baserunners per 9 - 5th

There are many more categories but I think you get the idea. Is it a surprise to see Pedro's name near the top of any of those categories? Well some may be surprised not to see his name closer to the very top of ERA and others who think him fragile may be surprised to see his name so high up the list for innings pitched. For the most part though - being a league leader is EXPECTED of Pedro Martinez.

Kenny Rodgers also has 13 wins. Is that a surprise? Sure. Would you expect to see Rodgers name so high up the win category next year? Would you be willing to bet money on it? Will you be surprised if Pedro is again at the top of the list next year? I'd put money on that. Pedro is expected to be great.

The Pedro doubters all like to point out that his best years are behind him. While that may be true - take a good look at what you are getting today! Maybe the best pitcher in the American League right now is Johan Santana of the Twins. Santana is more than 8-years younger than Pedro and is the league leader in strikeouts. Yet even though Pedro has lost velocity off his fastball - he still gets the heat up higher than Santana (who usually tops out at about 92-93 on his fastball).

At the end of the season Pedro will be 33-years old. He has unreal control over his pitch location and still has above average heat. For comparison - Greg Maddux went 55-29 over the three year stretch when he was aged 33-35. It is not far fetched to expect at least the same out of Pedro the next couple of years.

Pedro is a free agent at the end of the season but I don't expect the Red Sox management to let him go anywhere. They know his value. Pedro told friend David Ortiz that Boston is the place to play before Ortiz signed his contract extension. I think Pedro also realizes this is where he belongs.

When Pedro retires - it should be as a member of the Red Sox. When he retires he should be no worse than third on the all-time list of Red Sox pitchers for wins (with three more wins he moves past Smokey Joe Wood for fifth place even though Pedro is not even in the top 10 for games started for the Red Sox). When he retires Pedro will be a first ballot Hall of Fame choice and his number 45 will soon thereafter be retired up on the right-field facade of Fenway Park.

So let it be written - so let it be done.