Who is Pedro Martinez’s daddy? Aside from who will be the next president, that was the question on the tip of everybody’s tongue last week after the Boston ace muttered to reporters, “What can I say? I tip my cap and call the Yankees my daddy.”Is his daddy the man who years ago had relations with his mother or is it the team that routinely defeats him?
There is no clear answer. On one hand, his father gave him life, his DNA, his roots. On the other hand, the Yankees taught him humility and offered him perspective. Is it nature or nurture? A century-old debate that’s lacked a prophet, a guiding light, until now, until Pedro seized the throne and revealed to us, all of us, that in fact, the Yankees are his daddy.
Such wisdom from such an unlikely source will drive many to see Pedro’s assertion as simply an admission of failure. Many would say that Pedro was blowing off steam after an unfortunate loss. Even Boston general manager Theo Epstein said Martinez just slipped out of frustration. The optimist (or pessimist as the case may be) even might think Pedro was trying to make the Yankees overconfident in preparation for the playoffs.
Why such a grand concession? Pedro’s battled the Yankees in a Red Sox uniform for years, from his great showdowns with Roger Clemens to his collapse in Game 7 last year. Such praise, his acceptance of some fated inferiority, is unfathomable. He’s thrown Don Zimmer to the ground, drilled Derek Jeter in the hand and been subjected to Steinbrenner insults, how could he make such a bold confession?
I’ve watched Martinez through the years, the way he skips off the mound at the end of each inning, heckles teammates from the dugout during his off days and how he used to toy with hitters, running his 97-mph heater high and tight and then dropping his endless array of off-speed pitches in the dirt. He was a child in a grown man’s game.
Now, he’s found a daddy, someone to teach him to ride a bike, bait a hook, clean a gutter and cook a hotdog on an open flame. The Yankees can take him to Cub Scout gatherings, attend PTA meetings and maybe (sadly, considering this is a free agent year) coach his Little League team.
Others could use similar guidance. L.A.’s Milton Bradley clearly needs a daddy. His tantrum last week, and subsequent admission of guilt and the desire to seek professional help, was an indication of a greater problem: he needs a father figure. Maybe he could find a daddy on the field, a pitcher that has shut him down or a team he makes consistent errors against.
Barry Bonds has been the daddy to so many. All included, he has played father to 30 teams and countless pitchers. His child-support payments must take up the majority of his income. Just recently he hit his 700th home run off San Diego’s Jake Peavy. Now Peavy has found his way, securing his place as one of baseball’s best young pitchers, dropping his ERA to a league-leading 2.25 as of last week.
It’s not a question of genetics. Clearly half of Pedro’s DNA doesn’t match the Yankees. It’s a matter of adoption. The Yankees, whether they are willing to be or not, are now responsible for the Boston ace. They are foster parents.
Pedro’s declaration, infinitely wise, will offer promise of a better future for so many. If only Dennis Rodman knew he could find a father on the court, his hair may have remained a natural color. Pete Rose may have never gambled. Evander Holyfield’s ear may still be intact.
The next generation of troubled athletes can find solace and guidance on the playing field rather than acting out or paying thousands on unsatisfactory psychiatric counseling.
Athletes are just like everyone else. They need guidance and direction. They need someone to show them the path to take. To many, Pedro’s statement was unfortunate, even shameful, an acknowledgment of weakness, inappropriate for an athlete whose sole job is to outperform the competition. That’s shortsighted. I admire Pedro’s insight, his ability to acknowledge his shortcomings and his willingness to accept the consequences, some well-earned fathering by his arch nemesis. All the while, he’s settled a debate that’s plagued generations.