Pedro Martinez Names the Hitter Who Gave Him The Hardest Time

Eight-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young winner Pedro Martinez had a way of making the best hitters in the Major Leagues appear merely mortal. However, there were those who apparently gave the feared pitcher pause.

After being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Martinez admitted that Seattle Mariners’ designated hitter Edgar Martinez had been the “toughest guy” he faced during his legendary career.

“He would make me throw at least 13 fastballs above 95 (mph). I would be hard-breathing after that,” said Martinez during an interview with former Boston Red Sox teammate Kevin Millar on the MLB Network. “Edgar was a guy who had the ability to foul off pitches, and it pissed me off when I had to throw 13 pitches to get a guy out.”

The Hall of Famer’s admission came as a bit of surprise to baseball insiders, considering Edgar earned only three hits during his 33 career plate appearances against Pedro.

Martinez was one of four former players, including two other pitchers, to be elected to the vaunted the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York on Tuesday.

[NESN]