When Pedro Martínez, a Dominican from San Cristóbal, arrived with the Boston Red Sox in 1998, few could have predicted the most dominant stretch by any pitcher in the modern era. Between 1999 and 2000, the right-hander won back-to-back Cy Young Awards and posted an ERA of 1.74 in 2000, an almost impossible figure in the age of the home run.
The 1999 Cy Young: The First Peak
Pedro Martínez arrived in Boston from the Montreal Expos with an already impressive résumé: he had won the Cy Young in 1997. But in 1999, in his second season with the Boston Red Sox, he reached another level entirely. He won his second Cy Young with numbers that seemed pulled from another era: 23 wins, 313 strikeouts, and a 2.07 ERA. At 27 years old, Pedro Martínez was already the best pitcher in baseball.
The Year 2000: An ERA of 1.74
What followed was almost supernatural. In 2000, during the height of the home run era when the major league average ERA hovered around 4.70, Pedro Martínez pitched to an ERA of 1.74, winning his third Cy Young in four years. That figure remains one of the lowest by any pitcher with more than 200 innings in a modern season. He struck out 284 batters and kept opposing hitters completely off balance every time he took the mound.
The Dominican Legacy in Boston
Pedro Martínez was more than just a pitcher of eye-popping numbers: he became a symbol of excellence for the Latino community in Boston. His dominance in 1999 and 2000 inspired generations of Dominican and Puerto Rican players dreaming of playing in the majors. Boston Red Sox fans hailed him as the best of his era, and his rivalry with the New York Yankees—especially in October—became etched in baseball lore.
By the Numbers
| Year | Team | Wins | Strikeouts | ERA | Cy Young |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Montreal Expos | 17 | 305 | 1.90 | Yes |
| 1999 | Boston Red Sox | 23 | 313 | 2.07 | Yes |
| 2000 | Boston Red Sox | 18 | 284 | 1.74 | Yes |
| 2001 | Boston Red Sox | 16 | 220 | 2.39 | No |
Postseason Impact
While Pedro Martínez’s regular-season numbers in 1999 and 2000 were extraordinary, his legacy with the Boston Red Sox also includes unforgettable October moments. In 1999 he led Boston to the American League Championship Series, and in 2004 he would be part of the dynasty that broke an 86-year curse and won the World Series. His dominance in those two years laid the foundation for the winning teams that followed.
FAQ
How many Cy Young Awards did Pedro Martínez win in total?
He won five Cy Young Awards in his career: 1997 with the Montreal Expos, 1999 and 2000 with the Boston Red Sox, and 2003 also with the Red Sox.
Why was the 1.74 ERA in 2000 so special?
It came during the height of the home run era, when hitters dominated. That ERA was nearly 3 runs below the major league average—almost impossible to achieve.
Where was Pedro Martínez from?
He was born in San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic, and became one of the greatest Dominican-born pitchers of all time.
