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Pedro Martinez on Felix Doubront: ‘You have to hold him accountable’ 02.18.13 at 2:47 pm ET
By Mike Petraglia

Pedro Martinez is ready to set Felix Doubront straight on conditioning. (Mike Petraglia/WEEI.com)

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Pedro Martinez is a lot of things to a lot people in baseball.

One of the greatest right-handed pitchers of all time. One of the most fearsome competitors ever to take the mound. One of the most genuine personalities in the game.

But to Felix Doubront, Martinez would just like to be the teacher that sets the young lefty on the right track in baseball. Martinez, now a pitching consultant to the Red Sox organization, made that abundantly clear Monday at the Red Sox spring training complex.

Martinez is well aware that Doubront, for the second time in three years, has reported to camp out of shape and was held back due to shoulder fatigue at the start of camp. Martinez plans to get in the ear – and mind – of the 25-year-old Venezuelan lefty, reminding him of the opportunity in front of him as a potential long-term starter in the Red Sox rotation.

“He’s so young and so full of talent that sometimes we take for granted the opportunity we’re given but the same way it comes, the same way it could go,” Martinez said of the lefty, who went 5-2 in his first 10 starts last season before falling off drastically in the final four months. “All it takes is a bad injury and you’re out of baseball. The only thing that prevents injuries is hard work. I believe he just doesn’t know and hasn’t been taught that he’s going to be held accountable for his performance out there and the way he looks, and that this is really a serious business. I think it takes a little while to get him mentally prepared to understand the responsibility on top of his shoulder with the whole Boston community and the team.”

It was forearm strain that held him back in 2011. It was a knee injury in 2012. And this spring it’s shoulder fatigue.

“I think he’s so young,” Martinez said. “Nowadays, these pitchers come up so young and so talented that they don’t realize how much they’re going to be counted on. And I think Doubront is a good example. I think he needs to know that he’s really important to this team, this organization, to the community, to Boston, that they’re counting on him to be one of the big names. At the same time, he’s just a young kid trying to develop and he’s already in the big leagues trying to perform. And you have to take that into consideration and be patient with him and at the same time, try to guide him through it. I think I can be a good axis to him to learn about some of the things he has to do.”

What exactly is the message Martinez plans to impart to Doubront?

“Bsaseball is not easy,” Martinez answered. “It wasn’t easy for me. He has to expect it to be tough. One thing I’m going to be with him, just as I was with [media], I’m going to be straightforward. I’m going to say the way it is, point-blank the way it is. If he wants to hear it or if he doesn’t, it’s okay. I just know I want the best for him and I want the best for the organization and I would love to help him. I can’t handle the fact that I have all this knowledge and not give it away. I would love to give it away and I hope he sees me as a good example of hard work and dedication and will to do things.

“Being out of shape a little bit is normal, probably not as much as before, but being out of shape a little bit in spring training, this is the only place where you can be a little bit out of shape but you’re here to get in shape. He has plenty of time to get in shape. I think he’s going to do it right. I think if he does put emphasis on the things he’s going to do, he’s going to do it exactly the way he should. I wouldn’t panic that much on that but at the same time, you have to hold him accountable to go and do his work every day.”

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  • Mtsquad

    Pedro quite possibly be the best medicine for this young lad

  • Fab4ever

    Pedro is finding value in his new found “respect” as being one the greatest to pitch…and from everything I’ve read, the guy is ready to take his reputation and use it to help others…his comments about Felix are dead on…sometimes it takes a rude awakening to get it in gear…Felix needs a swift boot in the arse ….

  • Rallan1968

    Pedro is a breath of fresh air. All the rest of the talking heads in management never want to say anything critical about the player. But Pedro does it without even sounding disrespectful. Well done Pedey.

  • Bruinman86

    One of the best, if not the best move the Sox made in the offseason.  Thrilled to see his influence on this team.  I can’t tell you how many times It has irked me that the sox pitchers don’t use the brushback pitch anymore.  It’s no wonder teams hit them around more than they should. I welcome this change indeed.

  • Crixus

    The critical comments from Pedro are welcomed but there will come a time when the players will tune him out….much like he did to Jimy(1 M) Williams. This is a players league and the players have the power to get rid of “distractions”. Like Pedroia said, this is how it’s done around here!

  • Myra

     really don’t know what Bobby is trying to do,” Pedroia said. “That’s not the way we go about our stuff around here. He’ll figure that out. The whole team is behind Youk. We have each other’s backs here.” 

    Pedroia was then asked whether he thought Valentine perhaps was trying to light a fire under Youkilis, who is hitting .200 on the young season. 

    “Maybe that works in Japan,” Pedroia said, referring to Valentine’s successful stints as a manager in Japan. 

  • Crixus

    Thanks Myra for the correction!

  • Myra

    I agree with your larger point, the players have a lot of pull in baseball and it seems like they’re not accountable for their actions. Alfredo Aceves continues to disrespect authority and isn’t that why John Farrell was brought on board to straighten out these players and hold them accountable? The players know they hold the cards and even a “disciplinarian” like John Farrell has to tuck his tail between his legs!

  • Xander Bogaerts

    Absolutely love Pedro. Make these guys accountable.

  • Troy

    I love his comments about pitching inside and making the opponent feel uncomfortable. The pitchers have not done that in years. Lester needs to do it, Lackey, all of them. If the Sox can adapt this mindset there’s no telling how good they can be.

  • Troy

     Seriously, you need to let go of that Pedey comment from last year. Last year was a disaster from beginning to end nobody liked Valentine. It’s over with so stop mentioning it!!!

  • Tuffd

    How about Alfredo..that should keep him busy………

  • Anthony

    Just what the sox needed, pedro won’t be affaid to get in your face if need be.

  • keepitreal

    Valentine wasn’t one of the greatest to ever play this game….
    also, it’s a little different when someone who’s come from the hard side of life of an impoverished country, who has succeeded and now tells you exactly what it takes, directly himself. Pedro’s trying to get him to think of being more than just “another” pitcher, but to be “that” guy who the team can turn to and count on.
    Should help the young gun.

  • Afam

    Well said Pedro.

  • RSNinWV

    Nobody can argue with the man’s pedigree. Pedro, unlike Schilling, is a true first ballot
    HoFer. I think Curt will get in, but Petey is a shoe-in.

    His 1999 season is one of the all-time greats for any pitcher. He knows the game, and he knows how to say exactly what he means. I think this will be a great success!

  • michelin

    Felix Doughboy ( :

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    I agree,but the brush back pitch now and then are two different things.Now if you brush a guy back the umpire in most cases may warn both teams.Some of the new rule’s take a pitchers game away from him.Sad but true.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    He had a five year comparison statwise to Sandy Kofax,that says alot.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    In this case Farrel will be backed up.There is no doubt that Aceves can pitch and can be used in more spots then most.Hopefully Farrel made things clear to him and probably did.Aceves is on thin ice and one more act of insibordination he’ll be gone.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    Pedroia spoke out of turn for sure.He has admitted his error publicly and should be behind us.BV may not have been a good manager but he was cooked from that point on.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    I don’t think Pedro will run into any problems with the younger pitchers.I’m sure he won’t have to say much to the vets.Lester know’s what he has to do and Farrel scares Buch.lol

  • Bruinman86

    No doubt it’s a craft. I still think it can be done with out throwing at the guy, but throwing close. Besides, it’s not like you have to do it every game. Just get a reputation!

  • molly

    Peedro is dee man. Time to hold these spoiled brats accountable. Giet hi, Lester and that other nut case Aceves outta here.

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