Trivia

Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1992-1993), Montreal Expos (1994-1997) Boston Red Sox (1998-2004), and New York Mets, (2005-).

Known for having three of the best pitches in baseball: an excellent fastball, an excellent change-up and an excellent curveball. He recently developed a cut fastball as well, adding it to his already impressive repertoire.

Winner of the MLB Cy Young Award for pitching excellence in 1997 (17-8, 1.90 ERA), 1999 (23-4, 2.07 ERA) and 2000 (18-6, 1.74 ERA). Was also rated the best pitcher in baseball by Total Baseball in 2002 (20-4, 2.26 ERA) and 2003 (14-4, 2.22 ERA), and only missed out on that honor in 2001 because he missed half the season due to shoulder problems.

His fastball was usually clocked in mid-90s prior to his 2001 shoulder injury, but now often clocks in the low-90s. He can still get it up to 97 mph on the radar gun from time to time, however.

Followed his older brother Ramon Martinez into Major League Baseball in 1992. Has since become the most dominant pitcher in the league.

Threw nine perfect innings on June 3, 1995, for the Montreal Expos but the effort was wasted because his teammates failed to score a single run for him. After giving up a double to the first batter he faced in the 10th inning, he was taken out and replaced with a reliever. The Expos eventually won the game 1-0 in 10 innings, with Martinez getting a no-decision. He struck out nine batters in the game.

Finished the 2004 season with a 16-9 record, 3.90 ERA and 227 strikeouts in 33 games started. It was the first time since 2000 that he reached the 200+ innings pitched plateau and the first time since 1996 that he ended the season with an earned run average above three. Though he went 0-4 in his last four starts of the regular season, his team, the Boston Red Sox, finished the season 98-64, winning the American League wild card spot. In the postseason, he went 2-1 and helped lead the BoSox to their first World Series title in 86 years.

Agrees to a 4-year, $54 million deal with the New York Mets, officially ending his 7-year tenure with the Boston Red Sox. (December 13, 2004)

Signed a four year deal with the New York Mets on Wednesday, December 15th, 2004. The deal is reportedly in the neighborhood of $53 million.

Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1992-1993), Montreal Expos (1994-1997), Boston Red Sox (1998-2004), and New York Mets (2005-).

Made major league debut on 24 September 1992 (pitched in 2 games that season).

Named to Baseball Digest magazine's 1993 Rookie All-Star Team.

Career numbers as of 2005 (1992-2004, regular season only): 182 wins, 76 losses, a 2.71 ERA and 2,653 strikeouts.

Has two children from a previous relationship.

As of the start of the 2007 season has 2998 career strikeouts, which puts him just 2 away from becoming the 15th pitcher to ever hit the 3000 strikeout milestone.

Martinez went 117-37 as a member of the Boston Red Sox.

Martínez allowed just 288 hits and 69 walks while recording 597 strikeouts and a 1.90 ERA in 430 innings In the 1999 and 2000 seasons.

Brother of Ramon Martinez.

(December 16) Formalized a four-year, $53 million contract with the New York Mets. (2004)

Inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2014.

In September 1999, he pitched a season high with 17 strike outs against the New York Yankees and only giving up one hit which was a home run by Chili Davis.

Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.