Martinez brothers eye Cy Young, Series titles
Oct. 8, 2002
Brothers Ramon and Pedro Martinez could very well both win Cy Young Awards this season.
And it's feasible the two hard-throwing pitchers from the Dominican Republic could meet up in the World Series too boot.
That's shaping up to be the hottest story line now that the 2002 post-season has arrived. Both the Los Angeles Dodgers (Ramon's team) and the Boston Red Sox (Pedro's team) finished the regular season with 108-54 records, each scorching their closest division mates by 20+ games. Ramon led Los Angeles with a 21-5 record and an ERA of 3.34. Pedro did his big brother a few better, posting a 25-4 record with an ERA just a shade lower at 3.35.
Cy Young resumés indeed.
Wouldn't it be something to see them square off in game one (and maybe game four and game seven) of the 2002 World Series? Of course, both teams have to get there first. Better teams have flamed out before the Series.
Los Angeles faces the pesky Florida Marlins (90-72) in the NL Division Series, beginning today at Chavez Ravine. Boston takes on Seattle (87-75). Atlanta (95-67) and Cincinnati (90-72) are the other NL playoff teams. Cleveland (94-68) and the Chicago White Sox (92-71) round out the AL side of the bracket. Defending champion Toronto (86-76) sits at home despite Barry Bonds' league leading 57 homers.
While he was starting for the Dodgers, Ramon repeatedly asserted that his brother Pedro was an even better pitcher than he was. Nevertheless, Dodgers management thought Pedro was too small to be successful and traded him away.
LA obviously doesn't want to make the same mistake with Ramon, signing him to a three-year contract extension just before the regular season ended.
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Pretty cool, eh? That's why I love this game
Some other Dodgers notes at the end of the regular season:
• Andrew Zarzour finished 12-4 with a 5.50 ERA as the No. 5 starter for the Dodgers this season. He won four of his last five decisions. After an awful April (2-2, 10.27 ERA), Zarzour settled in for the most part, going 10-2 the rest of the way. Not too shaby.
• Big Z's good buddy Josh Hamilton really had a breakout year in the Dodgers outfield. In his first year as a full-time starter Hamilton batted .334 with 11 HRs and 82 RBIs. His average was second only to Paul Lo Duca (.348) among the regulars. Hamilton drove in six runs against Philly in June. Hamilton stole 19 bases for the year.
• Young Albert Pujols bashed two homers and had seven RBIs against Milwaukee in early August. Wow. Craig Wilson nearly matched that feat later in the season against the Brewers, hitting two homers and recording six RBIs. Pujols had six RBIs the next night against the Brew Crew. Milwaukee finished a woeful 67-95...
• A-Rod had a splendid year, batting .301 with 46 HRs and 124 RBIs.
• Pitcher Dan Smith, 27, staked his name as a solid No. 3 arm for the Dodgers, going 15-10 with a 2.72 ERA. He was Pitcher of the Month for August, posting a 3-1 mark with a 1.36 ERA.
• The post-season pitching rotation for the Dodgers right now will be 1) Ramon Martinez, 2) Hipolito Pichardo, 3) Dan Smith, 4) Andrew Zarzour and 5) Darren Dreifort. Martinez obviously could be used in a game four setting if needed, so Big Z and Dreifort may or may not see action, depending on how things go...
On to the post-season!!
