2009 World Series, Game 2 Philadelphia Phillies lead the series (1-0)
Every professional athlete wants to go out on top. Who wouldn't? But for those that are legends of the game, their legacy is as important to them as their success was while they were having it. Do you think Mark Mcgwire doesn't care about his legacy? Why do you think his come back to baseball? What about Pete Rose? There is a guy would do anything to get into the Hall of Fame now. And what about Barry Bonds? Do you think he's happy the way things ended for him?
Then there are the guys that just hang around too long. They are addicted to the fame and fortune and don't know when to quit. You can name endless numbers of them in all sports. In baseball the two that stand out for me are the tails end of the careers or Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays. Take a look at the Mantle's last four years, or the last few years of Willie Mays. As a seven year old kid I can remember being so excited that the Mets traded for Willie Mays that I couldn't fall asleep! Well after watching him play with the Mets it wasn't so hard to sleep after all. In fact, watching him play put me to sleep.
And for the great ones, all too often they don't know when to stop. So many of these immortal players try to hang on too long; if it weren't for their name recognition and what they have accomplished in the game, they would be cut from their team's roster just like any other aging player.
Some of them even try to make come backs. Remember Hall of Famer Jim Palmer? Palmer retired in 1984. Then, in 1991 Palmer attempted a comeback with the Orioles. After giving up five hits and two runs in two innings of a spring training game, he retired permanently. Many pundits thought he was trying to prove that Nolan Ryan was not the only pitcher of his age that could still pitch in the Major Leagues.
While working out at the University of Miami during his comeback attempt, Palmer was approached by Hurricanes assistant coach Lazaro Collazo. Collazo, presumably not recognizing Palmer, reportedly told him, "You'll never get into the Hall of Fame with those mechanics." "I'm already in the Hall of Fame," Palmer replied.
Right now we are watching two future Hall of Famers, John Smoltz and Pedro Martinez, hanging on by nothing but reputation and pride. Did any of you fathers out there take your kids to see Pedro Martinez pitch for the Mets? How many of you explained to the kids on the way to the game that he is perhaps the greatest pitcher of this generation? What did you tell them on in the car the way home from the game?
How about John Smoltz? Did you tell your kids before one of the Red Sox games this past year, "This guy is going to be in the Hall of Fame. In fact, if they allowed it he should get in twice, once as a starter and once as a reliever. He was to the 1990's & 2,000's what Dennis Eckersley was to the 1970's & 1980's."
The most dominant year from 60' 6" recently was this past year from Zack Greinke. 2.16 ERA in the American League, are you kidding me! He's still young and he may be the next Pedro, but it's not fair to compare the two at this point.
Take a look at Pedro's stats from 1997-2003. Unless you are looking at the stats of Sandy Koufax, you aren't going to find a stretch like that in the modern era of baseball. And Pedro's run lasted for seven years, Koufax's only for five.
To his credit, Pedro has pitched well this year and not embarrassed himself at all. In 9 regular season starts he was 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA. He did not pitch in the NLDS but he threw a 7 inning masterpiece, an absolute gem against the Dodgers in the NLCS going 7 innings, giving up only 2 hits and no walks. There isn't anyone that can honestly say they expected that type of vintage Pedro performance in that big of a spot other then Pedro himself.
Perhaps the fact that Pedro did not have to endure the long MLB season will work to his advantage. It sure looked that way against the Dodgers.
Martinez is 11-11 with a 3.20 ERA in 32 career starts against the Yankees in the regular season, and was 8-4 with a 2.95 ERA in 16 career starts at the old Yankee Stadium. He is 1-2 with a 4.72 ERA in six postseason appearances against the Yankees, and is 0-2 with a 5.93 ERA in his past five.
Tonight is Pedro's opportunity to go out on top. There is no possible bigger stage than the World Series at Yankee Stadium. If Pedro throws a gem and Phillies win the game he will put an exclamation point on a legendary career and cement his legacy. If he fails, he will just be one of those future Hall of Famers that hung on too long.
So let the Don Zimmer wise cracks and chats of "who's you daddy?" begin.
Was it Shakespeare that said, "All the world indeed a stage and we are merely players, performers and portrayers...," or was that Rush?
Tonight, it's Pedro's world and we are all just living in it. Enjoy the game. - Mike Cardano
Mike Cardano is the founder of Around the Horn Baseball and Extra Point Football.
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2009 World Series, Game 2
To his credit, Pedro has pitched well this year and not embarrassed himself at all. In 9 regular season starts he was 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA. He did not pitch in the NLDS but he threw a 7 inning masterpiece, an absolute gem against the Dodgers in the NLCS going 7 innings, giving up only 2 hits and no walks. There isn't anyone that can honestly say they expected that type of vintage Pedro performance in that big of a spot other then Pedro himself.
