#Pedro20: It's Becoming Laughable

Over eight innings of professional, American League baseball, Pedro Martinez struck out FIFTEEN (15) Anaheim Angels. FIFTEEN. Making it five straight games with double digit punch-outs. FIFTEEN. Two separate times in this game he struck out four straight batters. And, just for shits and giggles, in the top of the sixth he struck out the Angels’ 3-4-5 hitters because he’s Pedro Martinez and they fucking weren’t.

At this point of the 1999 season the Red Sox are 14-14. Nothing to write home about, nothing to panic about quite yet. But this is where Pedro’s MVP case really starts to take form. The Red Sox are 6-1 when he toes the rubber. Literally every start he’s made to this point he’s received a decision. Five straight games he’s struck out at LEAST 10 professional baseball players. So it’s not like he’s relying on a whole heap of fielding to get him out of jams. Mostly because there aren’t any jams. It’s a sans jam situation when Pedro’s on the hill. Take his starts out of the equation and the Red Sox are 8-13, which stinks. Boston was not the City of Champs in 1999, all we had was the Red Sox. And without Pedro, the Red Sox would not have been the most comfortable safety blanket during these trying times. 20 years later, dozens of parades have come and gone, and I’m still irate Pedro’s trophy case is lacking that ’99 MVP. Furious even.

Season stat line to date: 6-1, 51.2 IP, 11 runs, 10 ER, 76 K, 10 BB, 1.74 ERA

Random Sidenote of the Game: Mo Vaughn played in this game. Mo Vaughn was the man. Here is a picture of Mo Vaughn on a horse. You’re welcome.