It’s a balmy night in late May as the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees renew one of sports’ greatest rivalries. Pedro Martinez, Boston’s only hope to break the curse left by the Babe almost 90 years ago, is on the hill. Without a win against the Bronx Bombers in over five starts, Boston fans and media are beginning to become restless towards the ace of aces. However, this night belonged to the 5’11″ pitcher. Pedro not only won the game, but shut out the Yanks for eight innings in a Sox win. After the game, Martinez said, “I don’t believe in rivalries. I don’t believe in curses. Wake up the damn Bambino, maybe I’ll drill him in the ass.

Well Pedro, it was nice knowing ya. And your teammates thank you too.

One start after the Bambino was awakened, Pedro would again face the Yanks, but this time came out after only 90 pitches, complaining of arm stiffness. His next start out against the Phillies would be no better, as Pedro lost only his second game of the season, again complaining of arm pain. He would skip his next start against Atlanta to get some much needed rest for his arm, and after one successful comeback against Tampa Bay, Pedro and the Sox would suffer a fateful blow. The night, June 27th, was the last time that Pedro Martinez picked up a baseball.

Martinez cursed not only himself, but the rest of his Red Sox teammates. The Babe had already taken Nomar Garciaparra, a two-time batting champion, away from the Sox for more than half of the season. One week after Pedro’s comments, Jason Varitek, considered the AL’s best catcher not named Rodriguez broke his elbow making a diving catch in a 7-1 game against the lowly Detroit Tigers. A week later, Carl Everett, Boston’s eccentric but talented center fielder, went down with a knee injury in a game versus Tampa Bay. But the Babe wasn’t done. He would also take Rich Garces, Frank Castillo, Bret Saberhagen, Hipolito Pichardo, and John Valentin. Out of Boston’s $110 million payroll, they had almost $50 million on the DL at one point in the season. But as much as the Babe has taken away, he’s still watched over the team he began his Hall of Fame career with. Boston has somehow stayed in the playoff race with amazing performances from players such as David Cone, Tim Wakefield, and of course Manny Ramirez. But is the Babe done with these 2001 Red Sox? Only time will tell. However, many say that Pedro was lucky, that the Babe was being nice. He could have made Martinez, the Sox, and the hopeless Red Sox fans endure the rest of the season without baseball’s best pitcher. Instead, Pedro makes his much-awaited comeback start this weekend in Texas. Though his health after this start remains in question, one thing is sure. There won’t be any talk of waking up that damn Bambino. He lurks everywhere the Sox go, sees everything the Sox do.

And for those that don’t believe in his curse, beware of what the Babe can do. Pedro learned the hard way. Don’t make the same mistake.

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