Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Griffin
Baseball has a rich history of dominant pitchers. Some could strike out hitters by the dozen during a start, while others could make them hit the ball right to a fielder when they wanted. Few could put it together like Pedro Martinez during the late 1990s and early to mid-2000s. Those who watched him will speak reverently of him … and not be exaggerating. The amazing thing was, he did it when many players were juiced to the gills. Here are 20 times that he proved that he was atop baseball’s Olympus Mons (that’s Mars’ tallest mountain, which makes Mount Everest look like a pebble).
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Clemens vs. Pedro: Holding Up His End of the Match-Up (October 16, 1999)
On a crisp October afternoon at Fenway Park, the most anticipated pitching matchup in playoff history became a one-man show. Pedro Martinez didn’t just outpitch his former mentor Roger Clemens—he orchestrated a masterpiece of 12 strikeouts over 7 shutout innings while Fenway faithful mockingly chanted “Roger! Roger!” after Clemens’ early exit. The 13-1 victory wasn’t just a win; it was Pedro at his most dominant, making the mighty Yankees look like a minor league squad on baseball’s biggest stage.
The 17K Yankee Demolition (September 10, 1999)
People might initially wonder, “What if?” when it came to Chili Davis’ homer being the lone hit of Pedro’s 17K masterpiece. Boston fans know it was the fuel that made the legendary right-hander go nuclear. In what many consider the greatest pitching performance ever, Pedro silenced those Bronx cheers. Seventeen strikeouts. One hit. Zero walks. The defending world champions were stymied all game long. Boston fans were hooting and hollering at their TVs throughout the electrifying game.
Montreal’s Gift: The 1.90 ERA Season (1997)
Before he became Boston’s ace, Pedro gave Montreal a season for the ages. His 1.90 ERA in 1997 seemed like a typo in box scores across North America. In the heart of the steroid era, while offense exploded everywhere else, Pedro made Olympic Stadium his fortress of solitude, where hitters’ batting averages went to die. Then, Expos fans had to wail and gnash their teeth when he was traded that offseason.
Fenway’s All-Star Masterpiece: 5 Ks in 2 Perfect Innings (1999)
On a magical summer night in his home park, Pedro turned the All-Star Game into his personal highlight reel. Starting with Barry Larkin, he struck out five of the six batters he faced, including Larry Walker, Sammy Sosa, and Mark McGwire in their prime. The standing ovation from the Fenway faithful seemed to shake the ancient ballpark to its foundation.
Game 5 ALDS Gutcheck: 6 No-Hit Innings (1999)
Pedro alarmed Red Sox fans with discomfort behind his right (pitching) shoulder blade. Still, Pedro came out of the bullpen in the fourth inning of the decisive Game 5 against Cleveland. What followed was pure sorcery: six no-hit innings that silenced the Jake and sent Boston to the ALCS. Every pitch was a battle against pain, every out a testament to his warrior spirit. He was rightly raised to the skies by his teammates after the final out.
Turning Jose Canseco Into Jose Mistake-O: 17K Complete Game (May 6, 2000)
On a cool Boston day, Pedro made the Devil Rays wish they’d never left Florida. Seventeen strikeouts, complete game, and a fastball that seemed to get faster as the game went on. Remarkably, despite this dominant outing, Martinez lost the game 1-0. Steve Trachsel (Remember him, Mets fans?) outdueled him.
Breaking Records: 1.74 ERA Season (2000)
Maybe he was mad he didn’t win the 1999 MVP. In 2000, Pedro became even more … Pedro. In a year when the American League averaged 4.91 runs per game, he posted a 1.74 ERA, nearly three runs better than the league average, making it arguably the most dominant pitching season relative to its era in baseball history. His 11.7 WAR was even better than his 9.8 in ’99.
Putting Holes in the Pale Hose: 15K Against the White Sox (July 23, 2000)
The White Sox were a run-scoring juggernaut in 2000. It was Pedro who put the Big Hurt on Frank Thomas and the rest of the Chicago lineup. Fifteen strikeouts, each one more artistic than the last. The South Side sluggers might as well have been swinging with toothpicks as Pedro’s changeup disappeared like a magician’s card trick.
Opening Slay: 11K Safeco Field Domination (April 4, 2000)
Opening Day 2000 at Safeco Field. While the world had safely navigated the Y2K scare, by the game’s end, Mariners fans might have wished for a different outcome. Pedro faced a tough Seattle lineup, but it was one without Ken Griffey Jr., who had gone to Cincinnati in a trade. Pedro racked up 11 strikeouts, a win, and a 0.00 ERA. It was a warning sign to the rest of the league that Martinez was still the best in the game on the hill.
Halo Crusher: 15K vs. Angels (May 7,1999)
How good was Pedro in 1999? This 15-strikeout performance against the Angels was the third game in a remarkable seven-game streak where he recorded double-digit strikeouts. He had the Fenway faithful giddily bouncing around after each K. Martinez scattered six hits over eight scoreless innings to earn the win.
World Series Glory: Game 3 vs. Cardinals (2004)
Seven shutout innings in the World Series, each pitch carrying the weight of 86 years of frustration. Pedro didn’t just help break the curse; he buried it under an avalanche of devastating changeups and perfectly placed fastballs. St. Louis never stood a chance.
The Detroit Clinic: Taming The Tigers (June 14, 1997)
Here’s another one for Montreal fans to reminisce about. Pedro Martinez wove a three-hit masterpiece over nine innings, striking out 14 while shrugging off three Expo errors. “Errors? Who cares? Pedro’s on the mound!” He made those mistakes inconsequential.
Cleveland Crusher: 10K Game (June 8, 2000)
Against a Cleveland lineup that had terrorized the American League, Pedro put on a clinic in pitch sequencing. Ten strikeouts, a complete game, and a masterclass in making professional hitters look like they were swinging underwater. Maybe Manny Ramirez, who missed this game due to a hamstring injury, watched and thought, “I wanna be on Pedro’s team next year!”
The Montreal Shutdown: Expos-ing Old Wounds in 12K Victory (July 18, 2000)
When it came to facing his old team, Pedro showed less sentiment than Scrooge before his ghostly visitations. Sure, they may have had some laughs when he wore the Montreal uniform, but this was business. He demonstrated that by carving them up for 12 strikeouts in an eight-inning outing.
When Blue Jays Whiff: 11K Win (1998)
When you have someone who is as smart and talented as Pedro Martinez, you don’t want to give them extra looks at your lineup. The Blue Jays had roughed up the legendary right-hander a bit the first time. Then he caught on and had subsequent outings of six and 11 strikeouts. The third time was, indeed, the charm.
The Atlanta Statement: 16K Masterpiece (June 4, 1999)
The Braves came to Fenway with their own pedigree as the Team of the 1990s. Pedro had them leave that night with 16 strikeouts under his belt. He went the distance and had Atlanta fans surely fantasizing about what their already vaunted rotation would have looked like with Martinez in the mix. There was also a funny moment with the 16th strikeout. Pedro got Brian Jordan looking, and the former two-way player jawed at the home-plate umpire before walking back to the dugout. The camera caught Jordan giving Pedro a broad wink, which caused the Sox ace to give a brief smirk.