The entire nation welcomed Pedro Martinez home on Saturday, 11 January 2015 as he returned to celebrate his induction into the prestigious Baseball Hall of Fame. A caravan of vehicles greeted the pitcher best known for the feat of taking the Boston Red Sox to win the World Series in 2004, and for his fulminating pitches throughout his 18-year career in Major League Baseball. The Ministry of Tourism organized the welcome, headed by Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia. Upon the announcement that he had been inducted the first time he was eligible, Martinez had dedicated the honor to the Dominican people. He was accompanied by players David Ortiz and Robinson Cano (of “platano power” fame).
Martinez thanked his mother Leopoldina Martinez and his brother Ramon for giving him the strength to resist the path of steroids in baseball. He said he chose to remain clean and gave up earning US$30 to 40 million more.
He said that Vladimir Guerrero should become the next Dominican to make it to the Hall of Fame. Guerrero will be eligible as of 2016. Others he said who could make it were David Ortiz and Albert Pujols, who he said were examples to follow both on and off the playing field.
http://www.diariolibre.com/destacada/2015/01/11/i962411_pedro-martnez-formacin-hogarea-fue-clave-para-desarrollo-carrera.html
http://acento.com.do/2015/deportes/8211896-republica-dominicana-recibio-pedro-martinez-con-merengue-salsa-y-vitores/
http://www.wcvb.com/sports/pedro-martinez-gets-heros-welcome-in-dominican-republic/30637478