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Burkhardt: Pedro’s No-Eyes Side Session

by Matthew Cerrone on February 19th, 2008 at 11:48 am

According to SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt, Pedro Martinez threw a side session today, under the watchful eyes of Rick Peterson and Fred Wilpon.

i’m guessing it is wilpon in the golf cart parked behind pedro in the photo, courtesy of kevin

…kevin explained to me that pedro threw part of his session with his eyes closed – a drill that peterson typically does with his youngest pitchers, not the veterans, to help them reinforce their mechanics…what’s odd in this case, he says, is that a) pedro was doing it, and b) he allowed reporters to watch…of the 15 or so pitches he threw with his eyes closed, only four were out of the zone…and in the dirt…and in the air…etc…but, i guess that’s the point…focus and repetition, so his desired arm slot is automatic…and this is what spring training is for

Burkhardt will have video of Martinez no-eyes bullpen session during tonight’s edition of SportsNite on .

For more on Martinez, and his prophetic t-shirt from Guy Conti, check out David Lennon and his blog for Newsday.