Pedro Martinez Helped Bring David Ortiz to the Red Sox

Pedro Martinez played a pivotal role in bringing David Ortiz to the Boston Red Sox before the 2003 season, revealing how he personally urged the organization to sign the first baseman after the Minnesota Twins released him. In an interview with Bleacher Report and TNT Sports, Martinez described how he contacted Boston officials to prevent another team from acquiring Ortiz, helping establish a partnership that contributed to the franchise's historic success.

Martinez and Ortiz later became two of the most celebrated players in Red Sox history, earning spots in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Their contributions helped Boston win the 2004 World Series, ending an 86-year championship drought, according to the source report.

Martinez recalled that he encountered Ortiz at a restaurant during the offseason on the day the Twins released him. Convinced of Ortiz's potential, the pitcher immediately tried to persuade Boston's leadership to bring him aboard.

"I ended up calling [Larry] Lucchino, Theo [Epstein] and everybody and everybody. And I couldn't get ahold of them. They were in the Winter Meeting trying to sign a first baseman," Martinez said.

"I'm pushing the phone to see if I can get David in before they make a decision. I finally get ahold of the traveling secretary, Jack McCormick... I said... 'I just want the Red Sox to pick up David.

He just got released and I don't want any other team to see him.'"

Martinez's intervention came after Ortiz spent six years with Minnesota without establishing himself as a major league star. According to the source report, Ortiz posted a .266/.348/.461 batting line, with 108 doubles and 58 home runs, during parts of six seasons with the Twins.

All 10 of Ortiz's All-Star selections and seven Silver Slugger awards came after he joined Boston, where his offensive production reached a new level. Over 14 seasons with the Red Sox, he hit .290/.386/.570, recording 524 doubles, 483 home runs and 1,530 RBIs, according to the source report.

Ortiz also received votes for the Most Valuable Player award in eight of his 14 seasons with Boston. His postseason performances helped the Red Sox capture two additional World Series championships after Martinez's departure, further establishing his place in franchise history.

Martinez explained that his confidence in Ortiz grew after seeing the first baseman hit one of his cutters into the upper deck at the Metrodome. That display convinced Martinez that Ortiz possessed the power to become a major offensive contributor.

The Red Sox provided Ortiz with an environment in which he developed into one of baseball's most productive hitters. His achievements in Boston transformed the career of a player who had been released by Minnesota and had not yet earned widespread recognition across the league.