Pedro may call Shea Stadium home these days, but there are still pieces of him all over Fenway. The K Crew, the World Series banner, and the smiles on the faces of so many fans who knew only heartbreak before Petey came to town: those are the legacy left behind by the greatest pitcher in Red Sox history.

Tonight Petey returns to Fenway for the first time since his departure after the 2004 season. As he takes the mound in the bottom of the first, there's no doubt that he'll be met with the standing ovation he very clearly deserves. Don't believe the hype: no matter what you see in the New York Times or on that not-worth-naming website that still considers itself relevant in the minds of Red Sox fans, Pedro Martinez will always be loved in the city of Boston.

In honor of the homecoming and in anticipation of first pitch, I spent most of the morning drowning myself in all things Pedro. So enjoy a few of my favorite Petey video clips, quotes, and photos, and if you find things getting a little dusty, well, you're not alone.


NESN videos - Highly recommended are: Pedro Press Conference/Pedro is back in Boston; Pedro reacts to fan reception; Pedro/Beckett duel on tap

Yesterday's post on Touching All The Bases is a must-read.

The Herald writes about another side of Pedro.


"I don't believe in damn curses. Wake up the damn Bambino and have me face him. Maybe I'll drill him in the ass, pardon me the word." - After a 2001 loss to the Yankees

"If I didn't pitch inside, I'd be at home, pitching to my nephews." - Pedro defending his aggressive pitching style

"I think one of these days that little ground ball that went through Bill Buckner's feet will probably be caught. I wasn't born those years they went through all those things. But I know everything can change. When it's meant to happen, it's gonna happen. Believe me. It's gonna happen." - Pre 10/27/04

"Georgie-Porgie... he may have the money to buy the whole league, but he doesn't have the money to buy fear to put into my heart." - On Yankees owner George Steinbrenner