Pedro Martinez Inspires Red Sox With Emotional Dugout Moment and a Reminder of 2004 Spirit
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The loudest sound in Tropicana Field on Wednesday night wasn’t the crack of a bat or the pop of a catcher’s mitt. It was the sudden roar from Red Sox players and fans when Pedro Martinez emerged from the dugout to embrace Garrett Crochet after the young left-hander’s 100th pitch.
The Red Sox had just sealed an 11–7 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, but the lasting image of the night came from a quiet conversation between generations. Martinez, the Hall of Fame ace who carried Boston to its long-awaited 2004 World Series title, wrapped Crochet in a bear hug and whispered words that carried through Red Sox Nation.
“I once thought my career was over, but Boston saved me—now you save them,” Martinez said, later recounting the moment to reporters with a soft smile.
Crochet, acquired midseason from the White Sox, had just delivered his most grueling performance as a Red Sox starter. His 100th pitch sailed high for a strikeout, pushing his season total to 209 and giving the bullpen a much-needed night of rest. But fatigue showed in his shoulders, and Martinez recognized the moment.
“I could see it in his face,” Martinez said. “That look when you wonder if you’ve got one more pitch left. I’ve been there. I know that feeling.”
Martinez, 53, spoke afterward about the injuries that nearly derailed his own career, including the shoulder issues he battled during the 2004 championship run. He also reflected on his humble beginnings in the Dominican Republic, where dreams of the big leagues were as fragile as they were bright. “I cried every night thinking of the World Series,” he admitted. “Boston gave me a chance to rise again.”
That mentorship, in the middle of a crucial Wild Card chase, resonated far beyond the field. Fans flooded social media with clips of the hug, calling Martinez “the heart and soul of Red Sox history.”
The evening carried even more meaning as Boston learned that reliever Liam Hendriks had been nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award for the seventh time, recognizing his tireless work with children battling cancer. For a team fighting for a playoff spot—now one game ahead of the Astros for the second Wild Card—the night felt bigger than standings.
Manager Alex Cora called the moment “pure baseball.” “You could feel the 2004 energy in that dugout,” Cora said. “Pedro has a way of reminding everyone what this game is really about—heart, resilience, and family.”
The Red Sox are surging at the right time. Ceddanne Rafaela’s four-hit night powered the offense, while Crochet’s grit on the mound stabilized the rotation. Yet it was Martinez’s presence that stole the spotlight and reawakened memories of Boston’s most magical October.
As the team left the field, Martinez lingered, shaking hands with players and fans alike. His message was simple but powerful: baseball is about more than wins and losses. It is about the strength to endure, the wisdom to share, and the love of a game that connects generations.
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