When Pedro Martinez steps out of the dugout, crosses the foul line and twists his spikes into the Yankee Stadium mound things will be all too familiar.
So will the opposing pitcher Andy Pettitte.
We will get to Pettitte but let’s look at the moment for Pedro.
Glancing up, the brim of his hat sitting low, barely above his eyes, gold chain glistening in the lights, he won't help but smile. It's in his nature.
As he glares at No. 2 (Derek Jeter) in the box, you better believe he'll have a little extra zip on the fastball as his glistening curls fly and the baseball world for perhaps the last time get a glimpse at one of the game’s most-dominant pitchers.
Forget the spirits of the old Yankee Stadium; Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Mickey Mantle were left across the street like SEPTA riders waiting for a bus that will never come.
This is a new era of baseball’s elite – of Jeter, A-Rod and Chase Utley.
Sports
In partnership with NBC Sports Philadelphia
Forget about Pedro's meltdown in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS and Game 2 of the ALCS against the Yanks the following year.
This is 2009, the resurrection year of Pedro and for perhaps the last time of his illustrious career he will take the mound on not so familiar dirt looking for a not so familiar outcome.
With that vibrant smile maybe the youthful boy inside will come out for one more game.
Who would have guessed five years removed from his last World Series, playing for his fifth Major League team, on five days rest, 38-years old Pedro would go from scrap pile, one-million-dollar mid-season pickup and potential fifth starter, to the savior of the defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies?
Who'd of thought he'd look so good in those red pinstripes?
Down 3-2 in the Series, Manager Charlie Manuel put his faith in three-time Cy Young Award winner, 5-foot-10, 170-pound Martinez.
Although Martinez has struggled against lefties and was the Game 2 loser in New York, his six-inning, three-run outing against baseballs most dominant lineup has giving him a chance at redemption.
This is a career defining start, what legends are made of.
What better place to close a Hall of Fame career than with a potential season saving, dynasty-defining and history-making performance in chapter one of the new Yankee Stadium?
Pedro entered 6-3 all-time in the postseason, all three of those loses to the Yanks.
Pedro will face Game-3 winner and borderline Hall of Famer (the PEDs thing won’t help his cause) 37- year old Pettitte, the Yankees go to lefty workhorse and baseball’s All-Time victorious postseason pitcher.
Amazingly this is Pedro and Pettitte's first postseason showdown even though they have faced off eight times during the regular season.
Martinez has never pitched in an elimination game. Pettitte is 5-2 including the pennant clincher this year against the Angels. The five wins by the way -- a MLB record.
But, unlike his Game 3 well rested start -- Pettitte won't be fully rested, pitching on three days rest for the first time since 2006.
Despite the stage Pedro and the underdog Phillies entered pressure free.
Martinez also has a little history on his side -- a 2004 Red Sox 3-1 (heck it was 3-0) series comeback against none other than the Yankees.
Pedro will not be out to break a curse this time around but he will be battling his own history of New York demons and maybe for just one night, OK two nights, the good guys will win again.
