I will never pass up an opportunity to sing the praises of Pedro.
While I haven't been a Red Sox fan/following Baseball as long as some others (1992 was my first year of that), Pedro is, by far, the most magnificent player I have ever had the pleasure of watching, and I can't imagine someone being able to surpass that. Every start of his was an absolute must-watch, and one never knew what was going to happen. 20+ strikeouts and a no-hitter or perfect game seemed like a real possibility every single game. Even when those didn't happen, watching him working his craft on the mound was a joy like no other. I would often want the Red Sox to just hurry up and finish batting so that Pedro could get out on the mound again.
By far my favorite game of his was 1999 ALDS Game 5 versus the Indians. He had gotten injured earlier in the series, weren't expecting to see him again. Had lost to the Indians the year before (and in 1995 as well). Game was an absolute slug-fest for the first few innings, with no idea what was going to happen. And then, out of the bullpen, comes Pedro. The air completely went out of the Indians. Didn't get a hit the entire rest of the way. Kenny Lofton diving into 1st Base and mangling his arm was very symbolic of the hopelessness of the Indians' cause against Pedro. And then the next-to-last out of the game being against the player who came in to replace Lofton, some rookie named Dave Roberts.
But, really, that 1999 ALDS illustrated just how magnificent Pedro could be. Even when he was injured, even without his best stuff, in the most crucial game of the year he could still come up big. Him working with our pitchers isn't just the typical "Star former player telling all of the young players to just be awesome like he was." Pedro was more than just his amazing talents. He was, and is, an absolutely brilliant mind, and I am very glad that he is here to impart his wisdom and knowledge on the Red Sox pitchers.
I know the mango trees of Manoguayabo may one day be too strong of a call for him to stay away from them for too long, but, I hope that Pedro stays with the Red Sox for many, many years to come.
While I haven't been a Red Sox fan/following Baseball as long as some others (1992 was my first year of that), Pedro is, by far, the most magnificent player I have ever had the pleasure of watching, and I can't imagine someone being able to surpass that. Every start of his was an absolute must-watch, and one never knew what was going to happen. 20+ strikeouts and a no-hitter or perfect game seemed like a real possibility every single game. Even when those didn't happen, watching him working his craft on the mound was a joy like no other. I would often want the Red Sox to just hurry up and finish batting so that Pedro could get out on the mound again.
By far my favorite game of his was 1999 ALDS Game 5 versus the Indians. He had gotten injured earlier in the series, weren't expecting to see him again. Had lost to the Indians the year before (and in 1995 as well). Game was an absolute slug-fest for the first few innings, with no idea what was going to happen. And then, out of the bullpen, comes Pedro. The air completely went out of the Indians. Didn't get a hit the entire rest of the way. Kenny Lofton diving into 1st Base and mangling his arm was very symbolic of the hopelessness of the Indians' cause against Pedro. And then the next-to-last out of the game being against the player who came in to replace Lofton, some rookie named Dave Roberts.
But, really, that 1999 ALDS illustrated just how magnificent Pedro could be. Even when he was injured, even without his best stuff, in the most crucial game of the year he could still come up big. Him working with our pitchers isn't just the typical "Star former player telling all of the young players to just be awesome like he was." Pedro was more than just his amazing talents. He was, and is, an absolutely brilliant mind, and I am very glad that he is here to impart his wisdom and knowledge on the Red Sox pitchers.
I know the mango trees of Manoguayabo may one day be too strong of a call for him to stay away from them for too long, but, I hope that Pedro stays with the Red Sox for many, many years to come.