Pedro Martinez dedicates Hall of Fame honor to Dominican Republic

New York–Pedro Martinez was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame on Tuesday, the first Dominican Republic native inducted into Cooperstown, N.Y. institution since the also hurler Juan Marichal in 1983.

In a statement from Boston, Martinez dedicated the honor to his family, Dominican Republic and Latin America. "I want to dedicate it to my family, the Dominican Republic and Latin America, to feel they have one more Latino in the Hall of Fame and enjoy with me in peace and love and to see this as an example of faith and professionalism."

Martinez shared the winning ballot with Randy Johnson, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio, the first time since 1955writers selected four players in one year.

The Big Unit (Johnson), Pedro the Great (Martinez) and Smoltz earned induction on their first tries, and Biggio made it on the third attempt after falling two votes shy last year.

Martinez, a three-time Cy Young winner, appeared on 500 ballots (91.1 percent). Martinez was 219-100, struck out 3,154, led the major leagues in ERA five times and in 2004 helped the Boston Red Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years.