Simply unhittable Martinez mows down best National League has to offer Click here for more on this story Posted: Friday July 30, 1999 02:39 PM   Martinez's performance drew comparison to Carl Hubbell striking out Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Simmons and Cronin. Brian Bahr/Allsport BOSTON (CNN/SI) -- The ovation began to crescendo with each strike. And with blistering fastball after fastball, Pedro Martinez orchestrated one of the greatest pitching performances in 70 All-Star Games. Martinez whiffed Barry Larkin, devastated Larry Walker and froze Sammy Sosa in the first inning. After Sosa became the third straight victim of a strikeout, the capacity crowd -- on its feet even before Sosa's third strike -- shook the 87-year-old foundation of Fenway Park. It was the first time the first three batters in an All-Star Game had struck out. And all was quiet on the National League front. "It's pretty obvious there's not a lot to say," Jeromy Burnitz recalled, even before the end of the American League's 4-1 victory. "Guys aren't coming back happy and gay when they strike out." In the bullpens, the other pitchers watched with awe. "It's just a matter of how bad he wants to make hitters look," Texas reliever John Wetteland said. CNN/SI On-Site SI's Tom Verducci talks about Pedro Martinez's All-Star dominance We got a taste of what Pedro Martinez throws. And he throws three terrific pitches. Right off the bat, in that first at-bat of the game, he threw a nasty 3-2 changeup to Barry Larkin. He buckled the knees of Sammy Sosa with a couple of curveballs. But for the most part, it was pure speed. Pure power pitching. He was throwing the ball past people.   Top of the second. Mark McGwire, Mr. Home Run King, the man who conquered the Green Monster in Monday night's home run derby. He didn't do any better, missing a 1-2 pitch. "He's got the best lively arm in the game of baseball," McGwire said. "There's a very, very good chance he'll win 30 or more." Now it came down to Matt Williams, no slouch himself with 23 homers this season. Williams, who threatened Roger Maris' home run record before the 1994 strike, turned out to be the only blemish. And it wasn't that much of a smudge, a grounder to second that was misplayed for an error. No problem. All Martinez did was strike out Jeff Bagwell, and Ivan Rodriguez threw out Williams at second for an inning-ending double play. In 1934 at New York's Polo Grounds, Carl Hubbell put on a performance they're still talking about as the century draws to a close, fanning Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and Joe Cronin, each and every one elected to the Hall of Fame. Larkin (165), Walker (250), Sosa (305), McGwire (485) and Bagwell (249) have combined for 1,454 homers. Hubbell's victims in 1934 finished their careers with 2,218 and before long, Martinez's prey may top that. Was Martinez happy with the comparisons? Did he know he set a record? "I'm really happy and excited," said the seemingly overwhelmed Martinez, voted the game's Most Valuable Player. "This is very special. But after tomorrow, it's all over." Era of offense? Not with Martinez around. Ignoring all the sluggers on the field, fans who stuck around after the game kept chanting his name. In the shadow of the Green Monster, the very symbol of offense, Martinez was the big name. "That was him. That's what you saw," Red Sox teammate Nomar Garciaparra said. "I'm sure he had adrenaline going, but he loves to pitch in front of the crowd, just like we all like to play in front on him. Then he went out and did what he does best."   Related information Stories AL pitching dominates NL hitting Dramatic All-Star evening at Fenway ends in AL win Pedro and Boston: A love affair Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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