Boston may not have been their birthplace but if you asked any of the new inductees at the 11th annual New England Sports Museum’s ‘The Tradition’ at TD Garden last night, the Hub is certainly their second home — and No.1 in their hearts.
“I have a pretty good idea but you never end up knowing what the fans in Boston say and it seems like everybody has a little bit of opinion that they want to express to you and I’m pretty sure that they, like me, were surprised that I left Boston and wanted to express what they meant to express to me at the time,” said former Red Sox [team stats] pitching great Pedro Martinez. “I’m extremely happy that we continued a good relationship and moments like this make me a Bostonian forever.
“Hopefully, I’ll be around for a long, long time and have everybody express what they have to express in the same way I do, even though I do my best to try to express how much I love them and how much I admire how loyal Boston fans are because I told them they are there in the bad moments, they’re there in the special moments, they are there in every aspect. The Boston fans were always there and they are there for everybody.”
Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner (one with Montreal) who compiled a dazzling 117-37 while pitching for the Red Sox, joined Celtics [team stats] legend Robert Parish, former Patriots [team stats] safety Rodney Harrison [stats], ex-Revolution soccer star Alexi Lalas, Olympic rower Chris Ernst and Bruins [team stats] owner Jeremy Jacobs as newest members in the club.
Martinez pointed to two moments in 1999 — his six-inning, no-hit relief effort against Cleveland in the ALDS and the All-Star Game at Fenway Park [map] — among his personal favorites.
“That day in Cleveland I’ve never felt so much pain after the game,” Martinez said. “But, I think it was worth it. If my career were over there, I would say it was for a good cause. I don’t regret it. I put my career in jeopardy, but that’s what it’s all about. I love the game. I love competing and I love my team.”
Parish, a four-time NBA champion, including three with the Celtics (1981, 1984, 1986), felt right at home while standing under the banners of all the Garden championship teams.
“Everyone knows my career was catapulted to another level when I got traded to the Boston Celtics,” said Parish. “So, I’m very proud to be back in Boston. I’ve had great times here. The Boston fans were very appreciative of my career and, certainly, it’s an honor to be back here. Boston is like my second home.”
As for the moniker of the “Big Three” with frontcourt mates Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, Parish said, “Well, obviously, we originated it and we were successful, too. The current ‘Big Three’ (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce [stats], Ray Allen) are carrying the torch very nicely.”
Harrison said he embraced his all-out, hard-hitting style and has no regrets.
“When I played, I wanted to go out there and hit somebody in the mouth and set the tone and I figured everyone else would join, and that’s what happens,” said Harrison, who ended his 14-year NFL career with 1,205 tackles, 301⁄2 sacks, and 34 interceptions.
Despite his ardent reputation as a Patriots and Chargers defender, who was a four-time All-Pro selection, Harrison finds a comfort zone behind the microphone as a TV analyst. His success there has surprised him, considering he thought he would probably wind up coaching high school football.
“It’s not difficult at all. I don’t want to play,” Harrison said with a laugh. “I’ve been called for the last several years, ‘Hey, do you want to think about coming back?’ and I’m at a point where I’m really enjoying life. I’m healthy. I don’t miss it. I really enjoy watching the guys develop and grow and make mistakes and get better and really just enjoying it from the sidelines. So, I don’t miss football in terms of me wanting to be out there. I enjoy watching it as a fan.
“It’s probably the last thing I thought I’d be doing,” said Harrison, who credited former teammate Duane Harper with being a role model for dealing with the media. “I wanted to coach, maybe high school. Maybe, even, a small college or something like that. I didn’t want to coach professionally because I felt like it would take too much time away from my family.
“But, to be able to have this job was a great opportunity. Who knows? You do the best you can.”
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