Pedro Martinez bolted the Suffolk County-based Mop-Ups this week and has taken up residence on a houseboat in Jamaica Bay, threatening to leave the team for good if various demands aren’t met. Chief on his list of concerns is the team’s nickname, which Pedro called “an insult” to the team’s solid pitching staff.
“I’m not going to pitch for no team that don’t respect me,” Pedro vowed. “I’ve won over 200 games in my career, but you’re going to call me a Mop-Up? No way, Jose!”
Martinez was seen by paparazzi cavorting with various generic white girls on Jamaica Bay this past weekend on a houseboat once owned by former New York Met Derek Bell, who sold the boat to Pedro in an attempt to make bail after a crack cocaine bust earlier this year. Sources say the choice of Jamaica Bay may have deeper meaning, as St. Jack’s GM Jack Flynn spent his formative years there building various powerhouses before leaving in 1998.
As salsa and reggaeton blasted from the speakers, Pedro spoke candidly to one intrepid reporter who swam all the way out to the boat and was hoisted aboard. “Look at this staff. Dontrelle (Willis), Chris Carpenter. Even that kid Leiter and Johnny Franco didn’t like,” Pedro added, referring to Scott Kazmir. “We’re not Mop-Ups. Kelvim Escobar, maybe he a Mop-Up. He’s no good. But the rest of us, we’re superstars and we deserve more respect.”
Mop-Ups Owner/General Manager Kevin Baumbach was stunned by Pedro’s defection. “I like the name,” Baumbach said. “It tested very well in the West Babylon/Lindenhurst markets. But we need our ace back.” However, the current 40-man roster includes 10 other starters, so there is no shortage of candidates to replace Pedro with the big club. There are six starters waiting on the Mop-Ups’ still-unnamed minor league roster that could take Pedro’s next start if necessary.
“We won’t wait forever,” Baumbach promised. “Brandon Backe will be on the next train to Suffolk if Pedro doesn’t come back soon.”
Pedro Martinez poses for pictures on Derek Bell's former houseboat in Jamaica Bay last weekend. Martinez abruptly left the Mop-Ups last week and wants the team to change its name.
Posted by nylistratleague
at 5:50 PM EDT
Updated: Sunday, 4 June 2006 5:52 PM EDT
