Pedro Martinez is back home with the Boston Red Sox — though not on the mound.
Close to a decade after leaving the team, Martinez is returning to the Boston Red Sox to serve as a special assistant to general manager Ben Cherington. Martinez joins another 2000s era Sox player, Jason Varitek, who is also serving in the same capacity.
“I’ve been away long enough now,” Pedro Martinez told ESPN . “I spent time with my family, and now the situation is right. I think they need people like me that could probably relate to the players, relate to the front office, have the good communication and the interest that they need right now. I think the players still see me as a player and they can naturally communicate with me. I’m also a veteran, a real old veteran and I think I can offer some advice how to handle different situations.”
Pedro Martinez said he is excited for the role with the Red Sox, particularly working with young pitchers.
“I love to teach. I love to deal with the players,” he said. “I have a very good relationship with the players and I’m also fun. I like to have and I think they need a little bit of that in the clubhouse.”
Both Martinez and Varitek participated in organizational meetings in Boston in the last few days.
Pedro Martinez played for the Red Sox between 1998 and 2004, winning two Cy Young Awards and a World Series title in 2004. He also had a franchise-best .760 winning percentage during his tenure.
“I am thrilled to be returning to this organization and to the city I love,” Pedro Martinez told The Associated Press , adding, “My heart will always live in Boston.”