From Newsday

Pedro, Fernando create buzz at Mets camp

BY DAVID LENNON
david.lennon@newsday.com

February 19, 2008, 11:31 AM EST

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The highlights from the Mets spring training complex on Tuesday have come from two players named Martinez - Pedro and Fernando.

Pedro Martinez completed a bullpen session earlier Tuesday and it appeared to go well, except for the three pitches he threw over the head of catcher Dave Racaniello. Owner Fred Wilpon watched intently from behind the mound and then talked with pitching coach Rick Peterson for about a half hour.

Martinez was a bit wild because he was throwing with his eyes closed. Martinez actually threw 15 with his eyes shut and only missed with three. Turns out it was just another Peterson mind trick. He does it with a number of the pitchers and they've bought into it.

Earlier in the morning, Martinez proudly displayed a gift from his pitching guru/confident Guy Conti. It was a T-shirt sporting a slogan that said, "You don't get to be the best because you're the oldest. You get to be the oldest because you're the best."

Martinez, who is 36, is not even the Mets' oldest starter. That honor belongs to Orlando Hernandez, who is 38 or 44, depending on whom you believe.

Meanwhile, super prospect Fernando Martinez showed up Tuesday morning and was swarmed by reporters. The Mets scored a major coup by keeping their future star out of the Johan Santana trade - and Martinez was noticeably relieved.

"Very happy," he said.

Fernando Martinez then went out and shagged some flies in centerfield. He followed that up by belting some home-run blasts to rightfield.