Martinez's No. 45 Set To Take Place Among Red Sox Greats At Fenway
BOSTON (CBS) -- Pedro Martinez has already taken his place among the greats of the game in Cooperstown, and on Tuesday, he'll join the fellow greats of Fenway Park.
The Boston Red Sox will retire the new Hall of Famer's No. 45 prior to their game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night. Martinez will become the ninth player to have his number retired by the team, with his No. 45 joining Bobby Doerr (1), Joe Cronin (4), Johnny Pesky (6), Carl Yastrzemski (8), Ted Williams (9), Jim Rice (14), Carlton Fisk (27), and Jackie Robinson (42) on the right field facade.
It's a very fitting place for one of Boston's most dominant pitchers of all-time, and after all the fun he had at Cooperstown over the weekend, Martinez can't wait to bring that party to Boston.
"This moment, where I pull that banner and my number comes up, it's exactly what I have in my heart for the city of Boston. It's going to be the mark that they have left in my heart for them to remember how much I care and love Boston, how much I appreciate the organization and the people there," Martinez told WBZ-TV's Dan Roche Friday in Cooperstown.
"I'm humbled and extremely honored to have that done," he added. "That will be my way of saying, 'Boston, I love you forever.'"
Photos: Pedro Martinez Enshrined In Hall Of Fame
Martinez spent seven dominant seasons in Boston, going 117-37 with a 2.52 ERA with the Red Sox. He helped the Red Sox win the 2004 World Series title, and was named the MVP of the 1999 All-Star game held at Fenway Park.
Watch: Pedro Meets Sculptor Behind Hall Of Fame Plaque
Martinez was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York on Sunday, and all fans attending Tuesday's game will receive a replica of his Hall of Fame plaque.
