“Pedro was undefeated in 41 games between 5-16 and 8-27, an 8-game winning streak that was the longest by a Dodger since 1986.”

1. #158 Orlando Miller/Brandon Wilson/Derek Jeter/Mike Neal (Prospects) (Rookie Card)
2. #67 Alex Gonzalez (Future Star) (Rookie Card)
3. #380 Darren Daulton
4. #22 Roger Pavlik
5. #114 Mitch Williams
6. Gold #268 Pedro Martinez
7. #65 Eddie Murray
8. #153 Chris Donnels
9. #362 Kevin Bass
10. #337 Shane Mack
11. #37 Jeff Innis
12. #74 Scott Brosius

2004 Topps Series 1:

1. #58 Paul Lo Duca
2. #266 Orlando Cabrera
3. #276 Clint Hurdle (Manager)
4. #36 Craig Wilson
5. #325 Zach Duke (First Year) (Rookie)
6. #342 Esteban Loaiza/Pedro Martinez/Roy Halladay (League Leaders)
7. #193 Luis Matos
8. #225 Rich Aurilia
9. #214 Moises Alou
10. #153 Jason Kendall

1. #486 Javier Vazquez
2. #342 Matt Belisle
3. #608 Brian Burres
4. #440 Pedro Martinez
5. #476 Johnny Cueto (Rookie)
6. #631 Joe Girardi (Manager)
7. Gold Foil #598 Bruce Bochy (Manager)
8. #364 Al Reyes
9. #343 Kason Gabbard
10. #516 Jason Schmidt

“Johnny surged through the system in 2007, and his ERA improved even as the competition became tougher.  He posted a 3.33 ERA at Class A Sarasota, 3.10 at Double-A Chattanooga and 2.05 at Triple-A Louisville.  Cueto’s next stop could be the rotation.  ”He’s definitely close,” says Mario Soto, who works with the young Reds pitchers.  ”He could help the team now.””

In two seasons as a Reds starter, Cueto went 20-25 with a 4.61 ERA.  So far this season, he’s sporting a 4.91 ERA and no decision after 2 starts.

And here’s card to go into my Future Hall of Famers binder:

1. #56 Seth Smith (Rookie)
2. #233 Jimmy Rollins (MVP)
3. #326 Matt Holliday/Chipper Jones/Hanley Ramirez (League Leaders)
4. #146 Aaron Hill
5. #79 Omar Vizquel
6. #165 Tim Lincecum
7. 50th Anniversary All Rookie Team #AR36 Austin Kearns
8. Trading Card History #TCH22 Pedro Martinez
9. #92 Ross Detwiler (Rookie)
10. #29 Anibal Sanchez

“Pedro is a veteran of four teams over his 16 seasons, but he reached iconic status as a Red Sox ace from 1998-2004, when he won two of his three Cy Young Awards, four of his five ERA crowns and a trio of strikeout titles.  Shoulder surgery abbreviated his last two campaigns, but “Petey” made an encouraging late return for the Mets in ’07, during which he became the 15th member of the 3,000-whiff club.”

“”There’s a chance he might be called up (as soon as) September.”  So said Nationals GM Jim Bowden after signing Ross, the 2007 sixth overall draft pick, to his contract.  If the lanky lefty felt the urgency, it didn’t show.  Detwiler zoomed through two Minor League levels and worked his first MLB inning — a scoreless frame against the Braves — on September 7.”

Ross started 14 games for the Nationals in 2009 and went 1-6 with a 5.00 ERA.

1. #193 Zack Greinke
2. #37 Erick Aybar
3. #36 Kevin Slowey
4. #28 Mike Lowell
5. Ring of Honor #RH19 Pedro Martinez
6. Topps Town #TTT23 Josh Hamilton
7. #93 James Parr (Rookie)
8. #272 Chan Ho Park
9. #90 Justin Morneau
10. #304 Jason Kubel

“Martinez’s first and last World Series championship appearance came in 2004 for the Red Sox, with whom he won 16 games.  He was never more clutch than in his final start:  seven shut-out innings in St. Louis to win Game 3.”

Topps was a little too quick to assume that Pedro will not be returning to the World Series.  That’s understandable, since Pedro was a 37-year-old unsigned free agent through most of 2009.  Although lightning strikes are rare, they do happen.

I look forward to seeing Pedro Martinez pitch in this year’s World Series.  He is one of the greatest power pitchers in the history of baseball.

Although Pedro’s nowhere near as un-hittable as he was 10 years ago, he pitched 5 solid innings and struck out 5.  The game’s not over yet, but with the Phillies leading the Cubs 12-3, I think this one’s in the bag.

Keeping baseball’s greatest players out of retirement might not win ball games, but it goes a long way in rebuilding the interest in baseball that was lost when greed and steroids got in the way.  I’m glad players like Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson, and now Pedro Martinez are still being allowed to play, and I hope they can continue playing as long as they have a passion for playing the game.

UPDATE: Pedro got the win, bringing his career record up to an impressive 215-99

2000 Topps Combos #TC7 Randy Johnson/Pedro Martinez

2000 Topps series 2:

1. #363 Omar Vizquel
2. #457 Cal Ripken (Season Highlights)
3. #402 Joey Hamilton
4. #388 Mike Remlinger
5. #426 Jose Guillen
6. #469 Mark McGwire (20th Century’s Best)
7. Combos #TC7 Randy Johnson/Pedro Martinez
8. #307 Eric Owens
9. #304 Michael Tucker
10. #397 Royce Clayton
11. #377 Travis Lee

“Not only are Johnson and Martinez their league’s strikeout kings, but they rule with iron fists.  Johnson, baseball’s K-per-game career leader at 10.8, notched 364 in 1999 — beating the NL runner-up by 143.  Martinez, who whiffed 305 men in 1997, punched out 313 more in ’99 — 113 ahead of the AL’s No. 2 guy.  Besides red-hot fastballs, each owns a secret-weapon:  Randy’s hard-breaking slider is the best in the business, while Pedro’s circle-change is as hard to hit as an acorn in a hurricane.”

While Pedro Martinez is still unsigned, Randy Johnson just won his 298th game yesterday against the Nats, striking out 9 in 5 innings.