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Phillies: 5 Players Who Once Played For The Mets

By Kerry Kauffman

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 29: Starting pitcher Pedro Martinez #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the New York Yankees in Game Two of the 2009 MLB World Series against at Yankee Stadium on October 29, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 29: Starting pitcher Pedro Martinez #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the New York Yankees in Game Two of the 2009 MLB World Series against at Yankee Stadium on October 29, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA – AUGUST 26: Pedro Martinez #45 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies on August 26, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 8-7. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – AUGUST 26: Pedro Martinez #45 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies on August 26, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 8-7. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

Pedro Martinez (Mets 2005 – 2008, Phillies 2009)

Pedro Martinez began his career with the Dodgers in 1992, but after finishing ninth in Rookie of the Year voting in 1993 with a 10-win season and 2.61 ERA, he was traded to the Montreal Expos for Delino DeShields Sr.

After two solid seasons, Martinez began a long run as the best pitcher in baseball. He made his first All-Star team in 1996 and won the Cy Young Award in 1997 after leading the league in complete games with 13, ERA at 1.90 and struck out 305.

Inexplicably, Martinez was traded to the Red Sox for Carl Pavano and Tony Armas on November 11, 1997.  Martinez proceeded to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards in Boston, winning 41 against only ten losses while leading the league in ERA and strikeouts both seasons. He was limited to 112 innings in 2001 due to a rotator cuff injury, but still struck out 163 with an ERA of 2.39.

Martinez made his sixth All-Star team in 2002 after posting a 20-4 record with a league-leading 239 strikeouts and ERA of 2.26. He once again led the league in ERA at 2.21 in 2003 and posted his seventh season with at least 200 strikeouts.

Granted free agency following the 2004 season, Martinez signed with the Mets on December 17, 2004.  He started the 2005 season strong, winning five of his first six decisions with an ERA of 2.54 in 76 innings. Injuries to his hip and left calf sent Martinez to the disabled list multiple times. As a result, he finished with nine wins and a 4.48 ERA.

Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies /

Philadelphia Phillies

Surgery on his torn rotator cuff cost Martinez most of the 2007 season and in five games, he went 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA. A strained hamstring limited Martinez in appearances and effectiveness. After a 5.61 ERA in 20 games, Martinez was granted free agency.

Pitching for the Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic in 2009, Martinez tried to show he had something left in the tank. The Phillies took a hard look at him and signed him on July 15, 2009.  There was enough left for Martinez to go 5-1 in nine starts the rest of the season with a 3.63 ERA.

In the 2009 postseason, Martinez had one last hurrah, shutting down the Dodgers for seven innings, allowing just two hits.  Although he struck out 13 in 10 innings against the Yankees in the World Series, Martinez dropped both starts with an ERA of 6.30.

Martinez retired with a record of 219-100, 3153 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.93. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

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