Pedro Martinez portrait unveiled at Smithsonian
Share This Story
WASHINGTON (AP)
Pedro Martinez said memories of his father caused him to become emotional Friday as his portrait was unveiled at the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery.
The 40-year-old pitcher became the youngest of more than 50 baseball figures depicted on the Smithsonian walls and the fourth Latino - joining Juan Marichal, the late Roberto Clemente and Sammy Sosa.
Martinez was joined at the ceremony by his wife, his children, older brother Ramon and their extended family. The Dominican Republic Ambassador Roberto Saladin was also on hand as well as Marichal, the only baseball Hall of Famer from Martinez's native land.
However, what made Martinez choke up was who wasn't there - his late father Paolino.
''My dad passed away two years ago in July and I've never had my family all together before so this was my first chance to say in public how much I appreciate what they have done for me,'' Martinez told The Associated Press after the ceremony. ''I guess the moment just got me. A whole lot of emotion came out that I didn't really expect.''
Susan Miller-Havens, Martinez's close friend who painted the portrait, also attended the ceremony. The portrait depicts the hard-throwing right hander on the mound for the Dominican Republic rather than for any of the five teams for which he pitched during his 17-year major league career.
The 5-foot-11 Martinez, who weighed just 154 pounds when he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988 and just 175 while winning three Cy Young Awards from 1997-2000 for the Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox, surprised almost everyone by becoming a power pitcher with longevity. An eight-time All Star, Martinez, who hasn't officially retired although he last pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009, compiled a 219-100 record, a 2.93 earned run average with 3,154 strikeouts.
Saladin praised Martinez for his devotion to helping children in his two countries, the Dominican Republic and the United States (of which Martinez became a citizen in 2006). Saladin called Martinez ''an artist with his arm.''
Marichal competed against such Hall of Fame pitchers as Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, Warren Spahn and Tom Seaver, but said that he never saw anyone in more in command on the mound than Martinez - who could blow batters away with a blazing fastball or fool them with a devastating changeup.
''Marichal is the best pitcher from the Dominican and he will always be because of the adversity he went through back in (the 1960s and 1970s as a rare Latino star),'' Martinez countered. ''Regardless of the numbers, he led the way.''
There is reason to praise both Marichal and Martinez.
''Baseball is ingrained in the soul of our country,'' said Saladin, who called Martinez ''an icon and a role model.''
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Report: UFC Octagon vixen arrested
Report: UFC Octagon vixen Arianny Celeste arrested. -
Report: Vick event sparks backlash
A seemingly innocuous visit from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick caused ... -
No way Celtics can hang with Heat
Celtics advance to East finals, but Heat have nothing to worry about. -
Franchitti wins Indy 500
You don't want to miss the Indy 500 action. -
Report: Matt Forte's knees a concern
One key reason the Chicago Bears are yet to offer a long-term deal to running back Ma...
MLB Videos
Reds win scorcher
Posted: May 27, 2012
Brandon Phillips talks with FOX Sports Ohio about the win and the weather.
Brandon Phillips talks with FOX Sports Ohio about the win and the weather.
MLB on FOX: Rays channel inner Rosenthal
Posted: May 27, 2012
Check out the Rays as they dress up for a Ken Rosenthal/nerd themed road trip to...
Check out the Rays as they dress up for a Ken Rosenthal/nerd themed road trip to...
Full Count: What about Chooch?
Posted: May 26, 2012
FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal with the latest on Justin Morneau, Carlos Ruiz and...
FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal with the latest on Justin Morneau, Carlos Ruiz and...
MLB Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Cubs/browse/featuredproduct/250780/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_250000/FF_250780_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.95 | Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue |
| Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Red_Sox/browse/featuredproduct/605356/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605356_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt |
| New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Yankees/browse/featuredproduct/605557/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605557_xl.jpg&w=100 | 16.95 | New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat |
| Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Oakland_Athletics/browse/featuredproduct/606322/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_606000/ff_606322_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt |
| Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Philadelphia_Phillies/browse/featuredproduct/626447/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_626000/ff_626447_xl.jpg&w=100 | 29.95 | Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet |
| New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Colorado_Rockies/browse/featuredproduct/644117/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_644000/ff_644117_xl.jpg&w=100 | 28.95 | New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat |
| Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Texas_Rangers/browse/featuredproduct/722692/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_722000/ff_722692_xl.jpg&w=100 | 69.95 | Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch |
| Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/723016/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_723000/ff_723016_xl.jpg&w=100 | 39.95 | Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoo.. |
| Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Angels_of_Anaheim/browse/featuredproduct/777026/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_777000/ff_777026_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.