Pedro Returns

[YAZMAN]

Pedro returns as an assistant to the GM. He should be in a role similar to the one Varitek has been given.

 

http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2013/01/24/sports/doc5101736f94cd9626594815.txt

[Mr Tibbs]

Is this the first step to him becoming a pitching coach or just scouting?

[jacksonianmarch]

Sounds like an inroads to the Dominican even further

[SoxFanForsyth]

According to Edes, Pedro said he'll "be on the field"

 

 

I wonder in what capacity he's talking about. Didn't they just expand the amount of coaches you're able to have in the dugout? It'd be nice to have him as another pitching coach, especially with the crop of young kids we have coming up. No better pitcher to emulate than Pedro.

[Lucienbel]

According to Edes, Pedro said he'll "be on the field"

 

 

I wonder in what capacity he's talking about. Didn't they just expand the amount of coaches you're able to have in the dugout? It'd be nice to have him as another pitching coach, especially with the crop of young kids we have coming up. No better pitcher to emulate than Pedro.

 

Pedro had good mechanics and is really knowledgeable about how to get batters out at an individual level. I agree, wouldn't be bad to have him in the dug out too.

[BSN07]

I'd love to see Pedro around. Even better if he continues mentoring a guy like De le Rosa.

[SoxSport]

Pedro is arguably the greatest living pitcher. Sure Gibson and Koufax are there, too, but none better.

 

When Pedro is on the field in Ft Myers, those Red Sox players should treat him like royalty, because that's what he is.

 

Reporting to Ben? Should be vice versa.

[Whiteandnerdy42]

Yeah; I hope he actually does good work, although if not, who's gonna complain? It's still great to see Pedro around again, even if he's not pitching.

[YAZMAN]

I'd love to see Pedro around. Even better if he continues mentoring a guy like De le Rosa.

 

He died in '06...

 

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/002/215/791/23delarosa.190_display_image.jpg?1336717838

 

RIP, Nelson.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I'd love to see Pedro around. Even better if he continues mentoring a guy like De le Rosa.

 

Not sure if you saw this or not, but Pedro already has been mentoring Rubby.

 

He probably talks more with Ramon now than Pedro, he said, but in 2008 Pedro imparted a special gift to the then-teenage De La Rosa, who turns 24 in March. Martinez taught De La Rosa his changeup, a pitch that Martinez threw with few equals.

 

Full article here: http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8836664/rubby-de-la-rosa-boston-red-sox-learned-changeup-pedro-martinez

 

Apparently Rubby's Grandmother was Pedro's nanny, so they've got a connection prior to and outside of baseball.

 

I really hope Pedro takes Rubby under his wing and teaches him how to be great.

[who]

looks like a publicity stunt. Any coincidence the move was announced the same day that Franconas book was released?

[a700hitter]

looks like a publicity stunt. Any coincidence the move was announced the same day that Franconas book was released?

A PR move all the way. We have about 3 recognizable ballplayers, and only Ortiz and Pedroia would draw a crowd on the street. They need to generate some interest in the team and no one in recent history has generated more excitement among fans than Pedro. He's not going to turn Rubby into an ace.

[mvp 78]

looks like a publicity stunt. Any coincidence the move was announced the same day that Franconas book was released?

 

Maybe on the timing of the announcement, but they have been talking about bringing him back all offseason. It also gives them even more headway into the DR where he's loved...

[BSN07]

A PR move all the way. We have about 3 recognizable ballplayers, and only Ortiz and Pedroia would draw a crowd on the street. They need to generate some interest in the team and no one in recent history has generated more excitement among fans than Pedro. He's not going to turn Rubby into an ace.

 

It's partially a PR move. Anytime you bring in someone like Pedro there is going to be plenty of publicity. Honestly I'd rather they do this kind of stuff for publicity as opposed to making flashy baseball moves to generate buzz.

 

But you have to see it's also a good baseball move as far as having a person with Pedro's knowledge passing it on to your young pitching talent. I'm glad he's passing that on to my teams players. If he was doing this for some other club I would seriously think the Red Sox were completely missing out on a great opportunity. That and it's a direct line into the Dominican. I'm sure a lot of promising young arms would love to work with Pedro. Now they just have to sign with the Red Sox to do it

[BSN07]

A PR move all the way. We have about 3 recognizable ballplayers, and only Ortiz and Pedroia would draw a crowd on the street. They need to generate some interest in the team and no one in recent history has generated more excitement among fans than Pedro. He's not going to turn Rubby into an ace.

 

Why do you act like some is always trying to pull the wool over your eyes? If you don't think having someone like Pedro around could have a positive effect on multiple levels for the Franchise I don't know what can be done for you.

[Emmz]

All he said was that it's a PR move. Definitely is, too. We've yet to see what he can actually bring to the table, if anything.

[Dojji]

looks like a publicity stunt. Any coincidence the move was announced the same day that Franconas book was released?

 

Why can't it be both? Remember, Pedro isn't just a pretty face. He started out with overwhelming stuff, but kept winning when it went away because he's a very smart pitcher. He has some things he can teach any pitcher willing to learn.

 

You don't get to where Martinez was at his peak without having both great stuff and strong technique and savvy. Of those, only the great stuff isn't teachable. I'd be interested to see what Pedro can show these kids.

 

Although I will say I actually think Schill would have been a better option for a pitching mentor, just based on his sheer intangibles. Pedro was a fantastic pitcher, but Schill was the one with the extra gear, and he could consistently play above himself come crunch time like no one in his generation.

[a700hitter]

Why do you act like some is always trying to pull the wool over your eyes? If you don't think having someone like Pedro around could have a positive effect on multiple levels for the Franchise I don't know what can be done for you.

It's a smart business move bringing Pedro back. People loved him. Franchises are smart to show off their icons. It allows the fans to better connect to the current team which lacks exciting players. How is that pulling the wool over someone's eyes. Special instructors that come to spring training spend almost no time with the players after the team comes north, so they have very little impact. They help some, sure, but let's not look at this as a major move. Yaz has been working with our hitters since the 80's. Sure he helps, but come on. It's more PR than anything else. They will show up in the Legends Box at Fenway and sign autographs and go to dinner with some wealthy fans and attend other events for the team. That's what they are there to do.

[Spudboy]

It's just P.R. s***. Marketing. You are all delusional. Of course he is one of the absolute greatest. But he will not be a pitching coach, per se. Gesh...

[Spudboy]

A PR move all the way. We have about 3 recognizable ballplayers, and only Ortiz and Pedroia would draw a crowd on the street. They need to generate some interest in the team and no one in recent history has generated more excitement among fans than Pedro. He's not going to turn Rubby into an ace.

 

YUP! I should have read the entire thread before commenting. Sorry. But this is just shallow and basic marketing. Oye.

[reYoukilis]

Pedro was pretty damn good for being such a little guy so I have to think that he has some valuable advice to share beyond natural talent. Him and V-Tek together could be a great asset.

[wetcamelfood]

How many PA's does Ben need? (1st Tek now this) Does this mean Theo was God because he didn't need (m)any? Just because someone was considered a "great" player it doesn't mean they will be great in these kinds of roles. Think of how many good mangers there have been that sucked as players (and vice versa). Nothing to see here.

[Behindenemylines]

Pedro was pretty damn good for being such a little guy so I have to think that he has some valuable advice to share beyond natural talent. Him and V-Tek together could be a great asset.

 

Don't know if Pedro will have an impact on the Sox pitching, but I don't see were it would hurt them at all. He has a lot of knowledge on what it takes to be a dominate pitching and if he can pass any of that on it is a plus. There are a lot of pitchers that have outstanding stuff, the great ones also have great stuff above the neck.

[BSN07]

I think like dojji said it's a bit of both. It's good publicity move as the team trys to rebuild appearances after a down period. But I also think it's a smart baseball move. Having guys like Tek and Pedro around for young guys to pick their brains is a never bad thing.

[Dojji]

It's just P.R. s***. Marketing. You are all delusional. Of course he is one of the absolute greatest. But he will not be a pitching coach, per se. Gesh...

 

So what if it is PR? When did PR and marketing become a bad thing in your mind?

 

And I honestly think that Pedro is one of the, like, 5 people alive today that I'd be really interested in picking their minds about How To Pitch. If he could get some of these younger guys to use the inside half of the plate as effectively as he did and not be afraid to buzz the tower if the hitter crowds the plate, just that much alone could make a HUGE difference. I'm thinking especially of Clay Buchholz when I say this.

 

There's a difference between pitching to miss bats, and controlling the at bat. A lot of our pitchers who have the stuff to do the latter do the former instead -- especially Buchholz. I think honestly most of our pitchers are afraid to be mean enough to really maximize their ability. If Pedro could get his special brand of fearlessness through to them, it could be a revolution for at least Clay and possibly Lester as well.

 

Put another way -- take a guy with Dan Bard's stuff and then teach him not to worry about the hitter's life and safety and come right after him, inside high make 'em duck, inside low make 'em hop, burn 'em down the middle, and then drop that slider of his on them while they're second guessing, and then burn them again. That's what Pedro did to some of the best hitters of our generation. And it was absolutely unfair

[onlybereaved]

The more baseball guys (Tek, Pedro) that we can get in and around the Red Sox club the better. People (we) whine about anything/everything. Sure, it's a PR move. But after whining over and over about F/O and the Red Sox organization not having baseball guys or guys who even care about baseball around, this can/should be looked at as somewhat of a good thing IMO. What's the worst it could do? Bring pressure to the F/O and organization to start moving in the right direction?

[User Name]

The more baseball guys (Tek, Pedro) that we can get in and around the Red Sox club the better. People (we) whine about anything/everything. Sure, it's a PR move. But after whining over and over about F/O and the Red Sox organization not having baseball guys or guys who even care about baseball around, this can/should be looked at as somewhat of a good thing IMO. What's the worst it could do? Bring pressure to the F/O and organization to start moving in the right direction?

 

Excellent post.

[Behindenemylines]

The more baseball guys (Tek, Pedro) that we can get in and around the Red Sox club the better. People (we) whine about anything/everything. Sure, it's a PR move. But after whining over and over about F/O and the Red Sox organization not having baseball guys or guys who even care about baseball around, this can/should be looked at as somewhat of a good thing IMO. What's the worst it could do? Bring pressure to the F/O and organization to start moving in the right direction?

 

Seems like Pedro is willing to pass his knowledge on. It can't hurt that the current Sox hear from guys who won in Boston.

[example1]

I haven't seen anyone mention the interview Pedro gave the other day on WEEI. It is worth listening to, as it was 25 minutes long or so. He's extremely bright and seems to at least believe that he's not just there as a figurehead.

 

The guys interviewing him seemed baffled to understand what this role was about and asked if the Sox had ever had a position like this before. Pedro noted that Johnny Pesky is probably the best example. He wasn't a coach, wasn't a GM, would do anything from taking guys out to dinner to hitting ground balls, but could also be a go-between from management to the players on the field.

 

It could turn into a complete PR move, but you better believe that if the Sox have a big series coming up, I sure as hell want Tek and Pedro in the room with the pitchers and catchers strategizing about how to best work the opposition.

 

I think with a team like the Red Sox that is so top heavy in analytics that the guys on the field may have come to see that group as completely removed from the "reality" of the game. This very well may be the case and there's no doubt that Pedro and Tek acting diplomatically as a bridge--in addition to imparting baseball wisdom--could be a good thing.

 

In any case, I strongly recommend people listen to that podcast. it was really interesting.