Praise and criticism of Sox in his repertoire

01:00 AM EST on Friday, December 17, 2004

BY AMY K. NELSON
Special to the Journal

NEW YORK -- Pedro Martinez ripped his former organization while simultaneously praising it at his introductory press conference yesterday with the New York Mets.

Martinez was anointed his new team's savior, ready to move on and seize a challenge. But he also was a man who couldn't let go of the past.

After turning down a three-year, $40.5-million deal with Boston earlier this week, Martinez was introduced at Shea Stadium wearing his familiar No. 45. He signed a four-year contract worth $53 million with the Mets, and faced a full range of questions from the media -- from his health, to greed, to his feelings about leaving the Red Sox, with whom he built a potential Hall of Fame career while helping the team to its first World Series title in 86 years.

As usual, Martinez handled the inquiries with humor and candor. He passionately defended his decision to sign for more money and more years, praising Mets general manager Omar Minaya while criticizing his former GM, Theo Epstein.

"Theo is younger than I am," Martinez said. "Red Sox president Larry Lucchino and owner John Henry don't know me all that well. But if you were to ask somebody about Pedro Martinez, you'd need to ask my teammates. Theo, I don't think has experience to actually play (interact) with a player like me. I just don't think he was good enough."

One of the most intriguing and conflicting characters in baseball history, the 33-year-old Martinez joked with reporters and was in a genial mood. But when it came to his former employers, his emotions varied. Martinez, 117-37 lifetime with Boston, had consistently maintained that if the Red Sox didn't sign him, it was because of a lack of respect. He lashed out when asked whether he felt disrespected.

"I would say, plain and simple: Yes. I tried for three years to try to get things done with Boston," said Martinez, 16-9 with a career-high 3.90 E.R.A. last season. "There was no need for Boston to let anybody get in between us. There was no need. There was plenty of time to become a computer geek again, like some of those guys that they have there.

"There was no need to let anybody get near me for such a long time; why wait? I was healthy, they got my results every day. They saw me pitch, they saw me do my thing, they saw me work. They saw my dedication. I think I earned my money in the seven years I was in Boston. And if anybody has anything else to say, they can say it now, and let the other writers hear it. If anybody in the Boston organization has anything to say about how I went about my job, they can say it publicly. But the numbers would show something different."

Martinez deflected a question about money, saying " "I was a millionaire at 24," he said. "When I got to Boston, I made millions. You didn't pick up a bum from the street."

Asked about whether, deep down, he felt Boston didn't want him, Martinez said: "They either made a mistake or they know exactly what they're doing because none of the other key free agents have been signed," he said. (Adrian Beltre signed with the Mariners yesterday). "And if you want to win, the first thing you do is keep the team together, don't you? So none of the other free agents have signed. If they let them walk, they better find out where they're going."

Neither Epstein nor Lucchino returned phone messages seeking comment yesterday.

Martinez was both contentious and melancholy throughout the news conference. In one moment, he would say all the right things about moving on and helping his new team become a winner. He would heap praise on Boston's fans and, at times, almost sounded regretful about leaving the Sox. Then he would become defiant.

"There was no need for (Boston) to wait that long," he said.

"I don't know if I'm being unfair or what, but I don't think I am being unfair. I have a great respect for Mr. Henry, everybody there, for management. But if they couldn't work it out, they don't have to blame it on me. I gave them every single chance they could possibly have to sign me. I said it publicly, I expressed my emotions. I expressed all the love I had for Boston, for the fans, for the tradition, being part of the team that's going to be there forever, since 1918. What else could I have done?"

Fernando Cuza, the agent for Martinez, said it was a "three-team race," with St. Louis, Boston and the Mets offering deals. Cuza said Anaheim never was a serious player, and added he did have a conversation with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. Cuza never received an offer, though, and felt the Yankees were more interested in Arizona left-hander Randy Johnson.

Cuza was vague when asked whether it was a lack of effort on Boston's part for failing to sign Martinez.

But, he added, "I'm sure they put a big effort forward, and you know, we have a good relationship with the front office. I know Pedro and myself have the highest respect for John Henry as an owner. Lucchino and Theo, we've worked well with them in the past. I can't speculate what their decision was, or lack of."

Another point of speculation was the condition of Martinez's right shoulder. Numerous reports circulated this week that the Mets weren't going to ask for an MRI exam. But team officials denied that was ever a possibility, with one saying the exam is protocol, and that Martinez knew the deal with New York was contingent on whether he passed.

"Pedro's a no-brainer," said new Mets manager Willie Randolph. "He's a winner, and I'm happy to have him."

After flying in from his native Dominican Republic on Wednesday, Martinez went straight to the hospital and passed his physical. He later attended a dinner in New York City with his family and members of the Mets' front office and staff, having a night that one person present said, "We all hoped would never end."

Martinez signed his contract, put on his new blue-and-orange jersey and prepared to start a new phase of his life. It must have been surreal; instead of having this moment at Fenway Park, Martinez instead was announcing his new deal in Queens, looking out at unfamiliar faces.

"What happened? What happpened?" he said. "Why couldn't they see what Omar and these people saw? Why couldn't they see what St. Louis saw? Why couldn't they see what Anaheim and those teams that were in it saw? What happened?"