The Good Phight Interview with Pedro Martinez

A few SB Nation Bloggers were given the chance to speak with Pedro Martinez on Thursday by Gillette as it continue its Gillette Fusion ProGuide Ultimate Summer Job tour. Thanks to Gillette for the opportunity.

An admission upfront: Pedro Martinez has been one of my very favorite baseball players for a long time now, even before he signed with the Phillies in 2009 and even while he played for the (stinkin') Mets, so this was incredibly exciting for me as a fan.

First, some general questions, covered by our friends at Over the Monster, the SBNation Boston Red Sox blog:

What would it take to come back and pitch again?

It would probably take for me to get bored of doing what I'm doing right now. And I'm having a lot of fun. But you know, you can never say never. Right now, I'm keeping my promise - the prmise I made to my kids to spend some time with them and go on vacations. That's why we're here in New York, and we're heading over to Boston, and to Disney - all over the place. I gave my kids a promise and I'm hoping to keep it.

To be honest, I haven't really stopped to think about what it would take but I really don't want to disappoint my kids ... and I wouldn't even try to think about it.

Do you see yourself coming back in 2011?

The reason I'm not playing right now is because it'd be for half a year, and it's too late already. I've already committed to my kids, and they'll be expecting the same thing next year. They're gonna be expecting me to be home, if I'm not playing. If I am to do it, I'm going to do it for the full season. And hopefully not have to worry about making promises to my family and my kids.

So far, I think I am going to stay like this, because I am liking what I'm doing and so far I don't regret taking the time off.

Is there any team more likely to lure you back?

Yeah, there are some teams, but I'm going to keep it to myself. I'm not going to say what teams they are but I'm pretty sure that there are some teams. Especially if they have a legit chance of winning.

Who are you 2010 World Series picks?

Gosh, there are so many good teams ... I'll have to say the Red Sox, the Yankees, Tampa Bay. Atlanta. You can't really choose because there are so many teams! St. Louis is really loaded. There are many teams that have a chance if they stay healthy. Philadelphia is another team.

Did the New York Yankees ever approach you about pitching for them?

Yes, they have. The hold-up was, the first time, was my fault - I chose another team. But the second time, one of the scouts Brian Cashman sent over last year gave them the wrong report, saying I was 85-84 mph, and when I came back to pitch with the Phillies I was 90-94. I don't know who regrets it more.

And there I was, giving Cashman a headache in the World Series. Because even though they managed to hit me, they were biting nails for the first six innings.

And here are my questions.  Pedro had to get going but I got a couple in...

What were the factors that led to you signing with the Phillies last year?

Philadelphia was very honest. And actually gave me a very good chance to win in the National League. Which is something I hadn't achieved. And now, I'm a National League champion.  The Phillies are an excellent organization.

You've now been on both sides of another big rivalry, the Phillies vs. Mets.  What is that like as a player?

The rivalries are a media creation.  It was a competition, you want to beat the other team, but as a player, I didn't feel any of the hate.  They're still my friends (on the Mets).

If you got the right offer from the Phillies this winter, would you come back to pitch in Philadelphia in 2011, even if it meant being a #4 or #5 behind Halladay, Oswalt, and Hamels?

Yes, of course. I'm #1 every time they give me the ball.

Now a question on the biggest controversy among Phillies fans: Should the Phillies have traded Cliff Lee?

I'm not on the team anymore so I don't understand what went on, so it's hard for me to say.  They lost Cliff but they got (Roy) Halladay, but I think Ruben (Amaro, Jr.) should have kept both!

Thanks again to Gillette, and to Pedro Martinez.  Best of luck wherever you may land in 2011 and beyond!