BOSTON -- The Red Sox plan to retire Pedro Martinez's number tonight, two days after the pitcher was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
"To be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame upon his first year of eligibility speaks volumes regarding Pedro's outstanding career, and is a testament to the respect and admiration so many in baseball have for him," Red Sox principal owner John W. Henry said in a statement.
"And baseball fans admire Pedro for more than his remarkable career accomplishments. His dynamic personality, love for the game, his fearlessness coupled with humility, his passionate, competitive spirit, and his ability to squeeze every ounce of talent out of a small frame were reasons so many fans connected with him."
Martinez's No. 45 will become the ninth number to adorn the right-field facade of Fenway Park, joining Bobby Doerr's No. 1, Joe Cronin's No. 4, Johnny Pesky's No. 6, Carl Yastrzemski's No. 8, Ted Williams' No. 9, Jim Rice's No. 14, Carlton Fisk's No. 27 and Jackie Robinson's No. 42. Robinson's number is retired throughout Major League Baseball.
Martinez is a three-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star who spent seven seasons with the Red Sox. He went 117-37 with a 2.52 ERA with Boston. He holds franchise records in strikeouts per nine innings (11.0) and opponent batting average (.206) and has the best winning percentage in franchise history.
Martinez, who is 43, has spent the past 2½ years serving as a special assistant to general manager Ben Cherington.