"Jorge Posada just mentioned my mom in a bad way"- Former Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez revisits heated argument with Yankees catcher in 2003 ALCS
Netflix's docuseries about the Boston Red Sox's World Series winning season in 2004 premiered on October 24, 2024. In the first episode, former Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez talked about his spat with New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada during the 2003 ALCS clash between the two sides.
The infamous incident was sparked after Martinez hit Yankees hitter Karim Garcia with a pitch, following which there were words exchanged between Pedro Martinez and vexed members of the Yankees' dugout, none more so than catcher Jorge Posada.
When the Sox next came to bat, New York's pitcher Roger Clemens hovered a pitch dangerously close to Manny Ramirez's head, ultimately resulting in a benches-clearing brawl.
Looking back at the events of 2003, Martinez said:
"I'm not 100%. I'm trying to make a statement with that fastball, and I just yanked it. Pure and simple, I yanked it. After [getting out due to a double play], he went over to try to take out the second baseman, I got upset. That's when (Jorge) Posada popped up. Posada just mentioned my mom in a bad way. When I looked at him, I told him, 'You better remember that'." Martinez said [44:05]
Eventually, the Yankees came out on top in the series, breaking Martinez and his team's hearts to make it to the World Series in seven. However, Martinez and co. bounced back the following season and went on to win the 2004 World Series.
Recognizing his outstanding service to the ballclub, Pedro Martinez was inducted into Boston's Hall of Fame, and his number, 45, was retired by the organization in 2015.
Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida undergoes shoulder surgery during offseason
Having played DH for much of the season for the Boston Red Sox, Masataka Yoshida underwent surgery on his right shoulder in early October. The successful completion of the procedure was confirmed by the Red Sox themselves via a press release.
The operation was performed by Dr. Evan O'Donnel, who is a surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital and also the Red Sox's team physician.
It is not yet confirmed whether the 31-year-old will be back to full fitness by the time spring training begins.
After a disappointing 2024 campaign for Boston, fans will be hoping Yoshida and the rest of their offense can return well-rested and fully fit to tackle the challenges of the upcoming season and make it to the postseason again after three straight years falling short of the mark.