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Pedro was one of my favorite pitchers growing up. One of the best to ever do it. Sit back, close your eyes, and picture him spiking Don Zimmer’s big bald head. What a legend.

At 37, Pedro’s time as a big-leaguer was winding down. He had just wrapped up his contract with the Mets (2005–2008), and in typical Mets fashion, his reign as a dominant force came to an end in a Mets uniform.

He did have one classic-Pedro season there, but then the curse of the Mets got him, and it got him good. By the middle of 2009, the future Hall of Famer remained unsigned.

The Phillies stepped in during mid-July 2009 in an attempt to defend their crown, signing him to a one-year, $1 million deal (prorated). Pedro would have one last push for a championship, giving Philadelphia’s rotation a more-than-seasoned veteran.

Martínez debuted in August, making nine starts between August 12 and September 30. He was generally mediocre in the regular season, though he did have a great stretch to begin September, with three W’s in a row:

Though he wasn’t great, he did help get the Phillies to the playoffs, where they ultimately lost to the Yankees in six. Making his first postseason appearance since winning Game 7 against the Cardinals in 2004 with Boston, Pedro took the ball in Game 2 of the NLCS in Los Angeles. He threw seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits and no walks while striking out three Dodgers. Seems that half a milly was paying off for the Phils. Martínez took the ball once more in Game 2, this time in the World Series. He took the L, as he was outdueled by A.J. Burnett, in a 3–1 defeat. Pedro kept it close, however, logging a quality start (6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 8 K) against a loaded Yankees lineup.

In the decisive Game 6, Pedro was not nearly as effective, allowing four earned runs over four innings, as the Yanks clinched the series 7–3 for their 27th World Series title—and last to date.

An anticlimactic end for Pedro, but hey—he got a shot and came damn close.