All of you who were planning for a trek to Coney Island Monday -- can you make it to Cincinnati?
Pedro Martinez will - if all goes well on his recovery day Saturday -- make his return to the majors Monday when the Mets take on the Reds at the Great American Ballpark.
All you need to hear now is the trademark bravado about how he will ride in to save the day. Right, Pedro?
"Believe me," he said. "I would love to help them. I would love to be the one that's going to spark the team and help them out. But it's easier said than done."
Martinez has tried to take his recovery one step at a time, and even now at the final step, he tried to temper expectations. Still, Martinez dismissed questions about his velocity -- it's been in the 88 mile per hour range in his four minor league rehab assignments -- and stressed that it is his command that he had on display in a bullpen session here today and that is what will get him by.
"I feel like I can probably throw a little harder," Martinez said. "But there's no need. I need to get command of the pitches. From 85 to 88, if I have command of my pitches I'll get anybody out. I wouldn't hesitate to say that."
Still, he brought a buzz to Turner Field -- and did it four hours before game time with a bullpen session before Mets front office and coaching staff members. Even his brother Ramon was watching from above the bullpen with his personal trainer, Chris Correnti.
If he had any apprehension, it didn't show as he joked with media members and increased the volume ni the clubhouse exponentially.
"That's me being me and being healthy," Martinez said. "If I'm healthy I'm always loud and happy and jumping around. I also miss those guys. I really do. I miss my teammates and the atmosphere being around the clubhouse."
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