The Dominican Republic’s Santa Domingo Pedro Martinez, the Hall of Famer, is well aware of the wave of emotions that young Red Sox players Rafael Devers and Brayan Bello will experience this weekend when they don their Major League uniforms for the first time in their home nation.
When the Sox played one exhibition game against the Astros in Santo Domingo in the spring of 2000, Martinez—who was then at the pinnacle of his abilities—felt the same thrills and goosebumps.
After almost 25 years, Martinez was beaming as he talked about what the two-game MLB Dominican Republic Series will be like for all of the Red Sox and Rays players, not just Devers and Bello.
Martinez won’t be missing out on the fun either, so you should know that. During this tour, he will represent the Red Sox and, before Saturday’s opening game, he will ceremoniously toss the first pitch alongside fellow legend and former colleague David Ortiz.
It is really special to have your family members and other [acquaintances] get to see a big league team and also see you as part of the team,” Martinez said. “To me, the time I had the opportunity to go there and also pitch over there was a was a moment of joy, a moment of pride for the entire city, for the people. Because he was on a specific schedule for his ramp-up to Opening Day in 2000, Martinez was limited to one inning. For that same reason, Bello won’t pitch in either of the two games.
As far as Martinez is concerned, that shouldn’t take anything away from Bello’s experience. In fact, Bello will have a different kind of joy as his family attends a news conference on Saturday in which the 24-year-old discusses his six-year, $55 million contract extension for the first time. “Though Bello is not pitching, the fact that he’s going to be there and they’re going get to see him in uniform being introduced is going to be great,” said Martinez, who has served as Bello’s mentor for years.
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