Speaking on the MLB Network, Martinez was talking about dealing with injuries and such throughout his career. And then he said this …
Martinez didn’t compare himself to any suspected PED users on this year’s ballot, of course, but he repeated the phrase a couple of times.
It resonated with those watching on TV.
On a conference call with writers after his MLB Network appearance, Martinez was asked about playing the game the “right way.”
“You have to respect the game,” he said. “I could have had enough excuses to go the short way, but I always followed my dad’s advice and my mom’s, which is do it the way God allowed you to do it, and if not, just come home.”
He was also asked about Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, two steroid-connected players who fell well short of the needed votes. Clemens received 37.5 percent of the votes, with Bonds just behind at 36.8 percent.
“It’s actually sad,” he said. “I feel sad for them that they’re not with me and I know they were special players. Now people I admire aren’t going in with me. "
