Pedro

341. Thats the number of days between starts for Pedro Martinez, the man brought in to the Mets from Boston, the pitcher with one of the best winning percentages in MLB history, and the pitcher who was to turn the team around and bring a World Series back to Queens for the first time since that Bad Boy team in 86. Things clearly havent gone according to plan. Perhaps last year things would have been different had he been able to pitch and pitch like Pedro in the playoffs. Perhaps instead of seeing Carlos Beltran strike out looking on an 0-2 curveball from Adam Wainwright, Billy Wagner would have thrown a fastball by one of the Cardinals (not to take anything away from Oliver Perez who pitched a great game) to end game 7 and it would have been the Mets to advance to face the Tigers in the World Series. But thats all in the past. For this past Monday, Pedro came back to not only pitch, but earned a win in Cincinnati over the Reds. Although it wouldnt be like Pedro if something special didnt happen. He not only returned, but he is the first pitcher ever to return less than a year after having the surgery (which by the way I've read from women hurts more than childbirth).

That one game, his first game, was a mere blip, just another game for a team with World Series aspirations. And as important as it was to see him get the win, its more important the possibility of having him for the playoffs. Bringing him back now is a luxery, no doubt. But if he can regain some of his old form, he can be a major contributor in the month of October. No team this summer made an addition like a Pedro Martinez at the trade deadline. He can immidiatley upgrade an already solid group of starting pitchers, or even perhaps strengthen a tired bullpen. Either way his effect is not only felt on the mound, but also in the clubhouse. Since his return the team is 5-1 and it's no coincidence that having him back has made the team alot looser. Knowing the atmosphere in the games he pitches calls each of Pedros starts a holiday. Every time he takes the stage its "St. Pedro Day". So with a new holiday every week, the Mets are hoping that he'll be spreading alot of cheer this postseason and help get the team into the World Series.