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Boston Red Sox: The 4 players who are on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore

By Scott Roche

BOSTON, MA - CIRCA 1978: Carl Yastrzemski #8 of the Boston Red Sox swings and watches the flight of his ball against the Baltimore Orioles during an Major League Baseball game circa 1978 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Yastrzemski Played for the Red Sox from 1961-83. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - CIRCA 1978: Carl Yastrzemski #8 of the Boston Red Sox swings and watches the flight of his ball against the Baltimore Orioles during an Major League Baseball game circa 1978 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Yastrzemski Played for the Red Sox from 1961-83. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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10/6/2004 — Boston Red Sox @ Anaheim Angels / Division Series Game 2 — Anaheim, CA, U.S.A: Boston starter Pedro martinez throw in the 1st inning against Anaheim during game 1 of the American League Divisional Playoffs at Angels Stadium. Photo by Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY staff (Via MerlinFTP Drop)Xxx Angels Red Sox Martinez Rh648 Jpg S Bbn Usa Ca
10/6/2004 — Boston Red Sox @ Anaheim Angels / Division Series Game 2 — Anaheim, CA, U.S.A: Boston starter Pedro martinez throw in the 1st inning against Anaheim during game 1 of the American League Divisional Playoffs at Angels Stadium. Photo by Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY staff (Via MerlinFTP Drop)Xxx Angels Red Sox Martinez Rh648 Jpg S Bbn Usa Ca /

Boston Red Sox: Pedro Martinez belongs on the franchise Mount Rushmore

If the Red Sox were going to break the curse and win the World Series, it was going to take some big-time performances from some players. Fortunately for the Red Sox, it was just seven seasons in Boston for Pedro Martinez, but it was a memorable one for the former Montreal Expos right-hander.

In his seven seasons in Boston, he went 117-37 with a 2.52 ERA in the regular season, but in the playoffs, he was even better. He was a perfect 4-0 in the ALDS with a 2.84 ERA working both in relief and starting. His best performance in a Red Sox uniform happened in Game 5 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Indians. Through three innings, Boston held a 9-8 lead, but manager Jimy Williams called on Martinez and the skinny flame-thrower tossed six no-hit innings to send his team to the ALCS.

One thing that made him one of the game’s best pitchers in his prime was his ability to pitch inside without worrying about any effects and his way of mixing his pitches to keep some of the game’s best hitters of that time off balance. He was a strikeout machine and between August of 1999 and April of 2000, where he had 10 straight games with 10 or more strikeouts.

It took a lot of things that needed to come together for Boston to end their 86-year championship drought, but one of the biggest reasons was Martinez and his leadership both on the field and off. He was the guy willing to take the ball every fifth day and on shorter rest in the postseason. It was only seven seasons, but he is on the Red Sox Mount Rushmore. Other pitchers have a longer tenure and longer effect on the franchise, but they can’t claim to be a World Series champion in Boston.

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