NEW YORK — With diapers and a dour face. That’s how Pedro Martinez was portrayed in Wednesday’s New York Post pullout poster.
After the game, Martinez didn’t need a pacifier. He needed a hug. He got hit hard by Hideki Matsui, ruining possibly his last game at Yankee Stadium.
He got serenaded, chants of “Who’s your daddy?” echoing throughout the stadium. Couldn’t somebody just put Maury Povich on the case? “Pedro Martinez, you are not the father of baseball’s most celebrated franchise.”
Martinez has accomplished almost everything in his career, but not ownership of the Yankees in the playoffs. He’s 1-4 with a 5.07 ERA against New York in the postseason.
History will remember Martinez as Wednesday’s loser. But he deserves a better eulogy, if this was indeed his last pitch. Martinez was the greatest of his generation. Not even 6 feet tall, he won three Cy Youngs. He reinvented himself, transitioning from power and glower to slow and slower.
At 38, Martinez competed. So blame Pedro if you like. I won’t. He left everything on the mound. The Phillies lost this World Series not because of Pedro, but because of a star-crossed trio (Ryan Howard, Brad Lidge and Cole Hamels).
Hurdle joining Rangers.
Former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, The Denver Post confirmed, will become the Rangers’ hitting instructor.
Not shocked that they wanted him or that he landed the gig. He is as bright and charming as anyone in baseball, an MVP of job interviews.
What is surprising is that Hurdle didn’t stick with TV. He performed well on the MLB Network and clearly has a future in the business. What this says is that Hurdle wants to teach. He will do great. He was a terrific hitting coach with the Rockies from 1997 to 2002.
Saving Ryan.
Yes, the question was asked. No, manager Charlie Manuel did not consider dropping the slumping Howard out of the cleanup spot.
“What kind of message does that send him?” Manuel said. “I am going to call him in and say that he’s hitting sixth in Game 6 of the World Series. If my manager did that to me, I’d have some words with him. I might win, too.”
Manuel didn’t appreciate the inference that he was more concerned about Howard’s psyche than a victory.
“I am not a feelings guy,” Manuel said. “I can get on your (butt) just like anybody else.”
Howard rewarded his loyalty with a two-run homer in the sixth inning.
Footnotes.
Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte exchanged words with plate umpire Joe West after the final out in the top of the fourth inning. Upset that a 2-2 cutter was called a ball before Ben Francisco grounded out, Pettitte had to be pulled away by manager Joe Girardi. . . . Johnny Damon left with a strained right calf after scoring in the third inning. . . . Phillies second baseman Chase Utley was featured on “Access Hollywood” as his wife gave a tour of their Philadelphia-area penthouse. Utley joked about the gel he uses to keep his hair glued to his head a la Pat Riley. Good friend Garrett Atkins said Utley should get an endorsement from Vaseline for that look. . . . The Gold Glove award winners will be announced in the next few days. Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is in the running to win his first, though Jimmy Rollins is considered the favorite.
