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At 10 a.m. this morning, I had one of my well-thought out and insanely-popular posts on the Hall of Fame. I hit post, then publish, and I thought all was well in the world.

Blogger had different ideas.

Long story short, this is my second version of the Keltner list for Pedro Martinez. Some of the questions will be tough to answer, considering he is still active.

Part 3: Pedro Martinez

1. Was he ever regarded as the best player in baseball? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that he was the best player in baseball?

There was a time a few years ago when Jesus of Nazareth was said to have walked on water, healed leapers, turned water into wine, and became the basis of a religion.

There was a time when Pedro of Manogauyabo rose from Montreal, threw six perfect innings against a great offense, in the playoffs, while injured, and posted a 1.74 ERA when the league was scoring 5.30 a game, and was deified by a city.

Jesus might be the only one who was better than Pedro was from 1999-2000.

2. Was he the best player on his team?

Martinez was the best pitcher on the Red Sox every year of his tenure except for 2002. And that includes the 2001 season when he only pitched in 116.7 innings.

He was the best overall Expo in 1997, and the best Red Sox in 2000.

3. Was he the best player in baseball at his position? Was he the best player in the league at his position?

In 1999 and 2000, Martinez was the best player in baseball at hurling. It goes without saying he was the best pitcher in the AL.

4. Did he have an impact on a number of pennant races?

The Red Sox made the playoffs in 1998, 1999, and 2003. For his career in September, he is 21-14, 2.50 era, which is slightly lower then his career mark of 2.58.

Pedro was the best pitcher down the stretch for the Red Sox each of these years. People still talk about his transcendent performance at Yankee Stadium in 1999, when he struck out 17, and the only hit he allowed was a Chili Davis homer.

5. Was he good enough that he could play regularly after passing his prime?

We soon shall see.

6. Is he the very best baseball player in history who is not in the Hall of Fame?

I would say no. I’m going to get Ron Santo in there if it kills me. Also, Pedro has plenty of time to make up any ground he might have. By the time he retires, he very well could be a top 10 pitcher in baseball history.

7. Are most players who have comparable statistics in the Hall of Fame?

Only two of ten, with those two being Sandy Koufax and Dizzy Dean. Ron Guidry, Curt Schilling, Bret Saberhagen, Mort Cooper, and Jack Coombs are all in the Hall of Very Good.

What is interesting to look at is that if you see who he his most similar to through age 31 are Roger Clemens, Juan Marichal, Dwight Gooden, Lefty Grove, Jack Chesbro, Tom Seaver, Greg Maddux, Whitey Ford, Pete Alexander, and Ferguson Jennings. That is seven Hall of Famers, two locks for the Hall, and Doc Gooden. Pretty strong group.

8. Do the player’s numbers meet Hall of Fame standards?

Pedro scores a 55 on the Standards test, and a 168.5 on the Monitor test. And he’s still mid-career.

9. Is there any evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his statistics?

I wouldn’t say so. I think his statistics speak for themselves.

10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame?

If he retired now, and Clemens and Maddux were inducted, I think Martinez would be the best pitcher not enshrined. Randy Johnson is really the only pitcher that is a comparison, as none of the retired guys are better…including Burt Blyleven.

11. How many MVP-type seasons did he have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close?

Martinez probably should have won the award in 1999, but the writers decided to not pick one of the top five people in the league. He finished second.
Despite having a better year, Pedro finished fifth in 2000. By my estimation, Pedro has had MVP-type seasons in 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2002.

12. How many All-Star-type seasons did he have? How many All-Star games did he play in? Did most of the players who played in this many All-Star games go into the Hall of Fame?

Pedro is a six-time All-Star. There are maybe players with more out, and I can assume there are a plethora of players with less in. Any one know how to check this?

13. If this man were the best player on his team, would it be likely that the team could win the pennant?

If they were in any other division in baseball, I would say yes. From what I hear, the Red Sox captured the American League flag in 2003. I kinda blacked out after the 7th inning. Can any one confirm that?

14. What impact did the player have on baseball history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he introduce any new equipment? Did he change the game in any way?

He didn’t change baseball, but he changed the Red Sox. Pedro was the first loved Latin star for Boston since Tiant left. Pedro’s employment by the Sox Rouge is probably a good reason we have Manny Ramirez, and by extension, David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez until the Red Sox control.

15. Did the player uphold the standards of sportsmanship and character that the Hall of Fame, in its written guidelines, instructs us to consider?

Sure.

Pedro Martinez is one of the most popular Boston athletes in my lifetime. He has had his run-ins with the press, but seriously, who hasn’t? Pedro has never been known to do anything to alienate his fans or all that rot.

Anyone think of any serious problem’s Pedro has had with his character or gamesmenship?