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MentalDisabldLst
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MLB.com just put together an in-depth puff piece about Pedro's second career with the Sox. Fans of his should read the whole damn thing, because PEDRO, but a few quick teasers are in order:
And about his TV appearances:
There's more, about the hall of fame and other players he'd like to work with. But I think it's really cool that despite his semi-acrimonious departure, he's helping out the Red Sox rather than... well, the Expos he knew don't exist anymore, and the Mets are the Mets, but at least he's not with the Dodgers. Can still wear my #45 jersey with pride.
Considering the money he made and the accomplishments that decorated his career, it would be easy for Martinez to just sit back on his boat in the Dominican Republic or look at the beach near his home in Miami. But his job with the Red Sox, though not as glamorous as the one he had as a player, is one Martinez has really taken to.
"It's just that I think I have so much to offer, stuff that I'm not going to put into use anymore," Martinez said. "I might as well pass it along. I'm trying to do that. I'm trying to get involved more in baseball and more with the young players and the veteran players. Whoever needs me. I would just love to pass everything I know -- all my knowledge, all of my experience -- to some of those guys, and hopefully get some good results out of every one of them."
Martinez had the thrill of seeing results from some of his labor last year. In the early part of 2013, Martinez heard that lefty Drake Britton had been struggling a bit. So he volunteered to take a trip to Double-A Portland to spend time with him. By later in the summer, Britton was getting big outs at Fenway Park during a pennant race.
"For him to come to town like that, it's special. He flew into Portland and I got to sit down with him for about an hour. It was amazing," said Britton.
What type of wisdom did Martinez impart on Britton, who was charged with DUI last spring?
"Just the attitude and mentality that I need to have," Britton said. "Being selfless, not selfish. Just basically getting my priorities straight. He's been a very good mentor. Just to have a guy like that come to town and just reassure me and tell me that I have it and it's there and it's just about doing these other minor little things to piece it all together was pretty cool. That's Pedro Martinez. It's awesome to hear that."
For Martinez, it was complete gratification, and it reassured him that his second baseball career is worthwhile.
"Well, the first thing was I was honest to him. I will always be," Martinez said. "I was straightforward with him and I told him exactly what I would probably love to hear if I was in the same situation. I talk about his stuff, trusting his stuff, about his personal life, how he should treat some of the things that were happening. How much of a battle he wanted to put up after things like that happened.
"I'm extremely proud of him, extremely proud to see him overcome all that and actually pay me back. That's all I wanted -- I wanted to see him have success. And to see him at the end of the year pitching so well and doing so well for the team, helping the team so much, it really made me like a proud father."
And about his TV appearances:
Of course, Martinez's job with the Red Sox isn't his only profession. He broke into the media during the postseason last year, serving as an engaging studio host for TBS. Martinez will work for TBS again in 2014.
"You know what? I have a lot more respect for you guys," Martinez said. "I thought TV was just, 'Sit down and talk about baseball.' Especially analyzing. I have to really tip my hat to some of you for the work you do. It's so much searching and little details that you have to look at, game-changing situations.
"It's a lot more work than I thought, but it's really interesting and I had a great time, especially working with the guys I was working with. It was great. They were true professionals, guys that were really on top of the game. And not only that, they were trying to teach me every day how to become more comfortable. Yes, I have one more year with TBS, and who knows along the way? But I'll remain in baseball. I don't want to go away from baseball."
There's more, about the hall of fame and other players he'd like to work with. But I think it's really cool that despite his semi-acrimonious departure, he's helping out the Red Sox rather than... well, the Expos he knew don't exist anymore, and the Mets are the Mets, but at least he's not with the Dodgers. Can still wear my #45 jersey with pride.