Introduction to Pedro Martinez’s Hidden Passion
Pedro Martinez has four children, and he also plays the role of father in the thriving flower and vegetable gardens in his three homes. The 53-year-old former Boston Red Sox star maintains luxurious retreats in Miami, Georgia, and the Dominican Republic.
His Love for Gardening
Martinez tries to keep his gardens neat and beautiful. He compares taking care of his gardens to taking care of a little girl, wanting her to look good all the time. This is the moment for him to relax, and he just goes into his own space. Gone are the bench brawls and the “Who’s your daddy?” taunts from Yankee fans. Now it’s about the roses, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, spinach, the chickens he raises, and the geese he feeds.
Gardening as a Relaxing Moment
Believe it or not, for 18 years in the big leagues, gardening was Martinez’s relaxing moment before every game. He had to go to his garden, clean his flowers, and trim his roses. That was his passion, and it still is. It’s a strange connection because if you watch him play baseball, you would never know that he loves gardening so much.
Roots of His Gardening Passion
The three-time Cy Young Award winner traces his gardening roots to his humble beginnings in the village of Manoguayabo, a suburb of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. His mother loved gardening and used this hobby to keep him out of trouble. When he got mad, his mom started just pulling him aside and saying, ‘Hey, here, hold the scissors for me. Cut this plant right here. Cut this one.’
Gardening as a Form of Yoga
Gardening became like yoga for him while he pitched and now broadcasts. The World Series winner was "surprised" at how much he enjoys delivering hot takes instead of heats. He just received a multi-year contract extension from TNT Sports. His platform is a space to “share my experiences” and “express myself.”
Life After Baseball
The man who knocked down Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer in the 2003 ALCS – and has yet to regret it – is now reminding players not to be "too hard" on others because “Sometimes we don’t really know the person in the uniform.” Martinez – who wore a Mets uniform from 2005 to 2008 – had once imagined it would be a winter retirement retreat, but when he kissed New York goodbye, he left that paradise behind.
Reception in New York
He reports that he will be warmly embraced by the city when he returns. "I thought the fans in New York hated me, no, but it’s the exact opposite," he shared. "I found so much love in New York, but that was after I retired. If I hurt the Yankees, of course they hated me." Not to mention he cheered when the Toronto Blue Jays eliminated the Yankees from the postseason with a 5-2 win at Yankee Stadium.
Personal Connections
He noted that Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is his godson. Martinez played with Vladimir Guerrero Sr. on the Montreal Expos. “Watching the Yankees lose gives me great joy,” Martinez said, before quickly adding, “but I just enjoy being outside — in nature, like in the wilderness.”
