SANTO DOMINGO – Pedro Martínez, member of the Cooperstown Hall of Fame and current advisor to the general manager of the Dominican team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, shared his perspectives on the tournament, the team’s formation, and his vision of Dominican baseball, in addition to paying tribute to the legend Juan Marichal.
An icon of Dominican baseball
Martínez described Juan Marichal as a figure that transcends words. He called him “the lighthouse at the end of the tunnel” for generations of Dominican baseball players. He asked for health and longevity for the former star of the San Francisco Giants, highlighting his importance as a sports, human, and family symbol for the country. “For us, he is the symbol of the Dominican Republic in what we call baseball,” he said.
The pride of representing the nation
Regarding the World Baseball Classic, whose Dominican participation will begin on March 6, with previous commitments on March 3 and 4 in the Dominican Republic, Martinez highlighted the significance of representing the country for a Major League player. He recalled that representing the Dominican Republic is a prestige and a source of pride. He had the opportunity to represent the country on one occasion, an experience he described as one of the greatest honors of his career, despite not achieving the expected result. “I walked with the tricolor on my chest and that fills me with pride,” he stated.
Health, discipline, and professionalism
Regarding the roster’s expectations, Pedro emphasized that the players’ health is the priority. The World Baseball Classic demands extra effort early in the calendar, so players must act with discipline, integrity, and professionalism. He highlighted that talent is important, but discipline and training are crucial for good performance. He underscored the importance of preserving the players’ physical well-being, as a baseball player’s career can extend for many years.
Gratitude and message to the fans
The ex-star also expressed gratitude towards figures like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Juan Soto, Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo, among other players who agreed to join the national team. “I am super grateful to those guys. They have chosen to give that representation to our country,” he said. Although he showed confidence in the talent of the team, he recalled that all participating countries have great figures and that the result will depend on the execution on the field.
Finally, he sent a message to Dominican fans: “Keep your prayers firm and be patient. Those guys are human beings and they are going to do their best to represent us.” Martínez insisted that no athlete goes out on the field with the intention of losing, and that if another country is superior, it must be recognized with respect. “When we win, we show what we are. In this country we are baseball and more. Culture, tourism, everything. Whoever wants to understand what it is to be Dominican, let them come and live it,” he concluded.
