Pedro Martinez to mull over Retirement?

[ESPNFan]

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/468212p-393951c.html


SANTO DOMINGO, D.R. - Pedro Martinez says that if his right shoulder doesn't return to full strength, he would consider retiring.
Martinez missed the latter part of the season for the Mets with a calf injury and had surgery Oct. 5 to repair a torn rotator cuff. He isn't expected to resume throwing off a mound until June.

Thus far, his recovery has gone well.

"It's getting better and progress is above all what is hoped for," Martinez told The Associated Press yesterday. "To go back I have to recover. I have to be healthy. But if God doesn't want that, then I would have to think about giving it all up."

As a Sox fan who loved to see Petey trot out ot the mound every 5th day this is a sobering thought. As of now it looks like he's on track to return but It would be a shame to see his career cut short when he should have a few more productive seasons. I'm wishing for a speedy recovery for Pedro and more seasons of enjoying his pitching.

[Rapmaster]

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/468212p-393951c.html



As a Sox fan who loved to see Petey trot out ot the mound every 5th day this is a sobering thought. As of now it looks like he's on track to return but It would be a shame to see his career cut short when he should have a few more productive seasons. I'm wishing for a speedy recovery for Pedro and more seasons of enjoying his pitching.


Lot of analysts saw it coming. It's a shame that they were right about his injuries

[PhilWings24]

as sad as it is to see, as probably the biggest petey fan i know, i'd rather see him walk out now than flop around and struggle for another 3 years.

he's been awful, awful good over his career.

[Mattingly]

as sad as it is to see, as probably the biggest petey fan i know, i'd rather see him walk out now than flop around and struggle for another 3 years.

he's been awful, awful good over his career.
Petey's had arm issues for awhile now. Back when he was with Boston and El Duque was with the Yanks, around 2002, I remember they were both hurt, so both teams agreed they should face one another. Neither had won a game in about 3-5 starts.

He's an excellent pitcher, but likely because of his small size and that powerful heater, I tend to think that his body's not designed to withstand such punishment. If he were the size of Contreras or Clemens, no problem. I wish that weren't the truth, but unfortunately, I believe it is.

He's had many productive years, dealing from different arm angles, getting people to chase. He was always a joy to watch, as well as the endless ways I'd have to hold my breath seeing how the Yanks could scratch out 2 runsoff him. If our pitcher gave up 3 runs, the game would very likely be over. Very few other opposing pitchers could we say that about our Yanks.

If he can't carry on, so be it. I don't believe it'll lessen him as a player. Though his ego may need to be kept in check every now and then (y'all knew that one was coming sooner or later), he "brought it", didn't just sit back on his reputation. Considering he pitched in the juiced ball era, had zilch for a LF, faced the Yanks 19 times a season, was their ace for many years, I'd definitely say he'll go down as one of the best ever!

When he wasn't on his game due to some injuries around 2003, it was sad. We wanted to beat him, but only when he had his best stuff and we'd have to get cheap hits to merely get a man to 3B, much less score. Hoping just for that shows Pedro had the heart of a true champion! :D

[PhilWings24]

good post, mattingly.

i think petey does have some huge ego issues, and i think its costing him now. if he was willing to close, i see no reason to think he wouldn't be the best ever at that position. obviosuly predicting anyone would be the best ever at anything they haven't really tried is a bit bold, but he definitely would've stood a chance.

that ego did really give him alot of what made him so great, he was about as competitive a person as i've ever had the privelege to watch.

well...like i said, i'd rather see him walk out now than struggle for 3-4 years and then retire, if those are the only two choices.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

I would like to see him come back for one more season. If he can't start, he could close. Might as well give it one last shot. But I agree. If he can't do it this year, he should quit.