Dominican Pedro Martínez received all 28 first-place votes on ballots cast by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America for a total of 140 points. It is only the fourth time in the history of the award that an unanimous vote is cast. Martínez, born in Manoguayabo, a low-income suburb of Santo Domingo, was the only pitcher whose name appeared on every ballot. The 28-year old right-hander led the American League in wins, earned run average and strikeouts became only the fifth unanimous AL Cy Young Award winner and only the third pitcher ever to win Cy Young Awards in both the American League and National League. Martínez won his first Cy Young with the Montreal Expos, under fellow Dominican manager Felipe Rojas Alou. Pedro Martínez was in Santo Domingo when the award was announced. He answered questions of local and international journalists during a press conference transmitted live via satellite to Fox, CNN Univisión, ESPN cable networks. Acting President Jaime David Fernández sat with him for the press conference. Martínez dedicated the award to God and the Dominican people. He said on the telecast, "Every time that I would go out to pitch my people were with me and always brought the Dominican flag to the box and bleachers," he said. He also credited his fellow players that provided the offensive support so he could win games. He said that he became a better player when the Los Angeles Dodgers traded him believing he did not have the physical conditions to be a starting pitcher. "Overcoming that obstacle is one of my greatest achievements, since the doctors of the Dodgers were wrong and I have been able to demonstrate that I have the conditions necessary to win in this difficult sport," he said. Moreover, he said that he has a lot to accomplish yet in Major League baseball. "I am aware that it is not an easy task, but I would like to and I am going to strive to take Boston to a World Series," he said. His contract stipulates he will receive a US$2 million bonus for the award. For more on the prestigious award and Pedro Martínez, see the Boston Red Sox web site at http://www.redsox.com
