Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez has long been a source of inspiration for the Red Sox and their die-hard fans for years, so it is only fitting that the 2004 World Series champion is speaking out with the franchise off to a floundering start in 2026.

With their game against the Rays rained out on Saturday, the Red Sox will remain at a disappointing 17-22 for another day. They went into Saturday tied for last in the AL East with the equally disappointing Orioles.

Boston fans wanted the Red Sox to go after a big bat like Pete Alonso this past winter to potentially pair with Alex Bregman, but instead the franchise settled for a trade of Willson Contreras, and they let the All-Star third baseman walk away in free agency to the streaking Chicago Cubs. Thus far, Alonso hasn't had much of an impact in Baltimore. He's hit eight homers and driven in 22 runs, but his batting average (.223) and OPS (.777) are lagging, and he has struck out (42) twice as often as he has walked (21).

Back to Martinez, he had some impassioned words for Red Sox fans on Thursday night as they continue to deal with the firing of manager Alex Cora and many members of his staff and the Red Sox inconsistent play thus far. Listen to the way Martinez pleads for support from Red Sox fans and you can't help but be inspired:

"We waited 86 years and we got our hearts broken in '03, and what did we do the next year?" asked Martinez, who was back in Boston for the club's Hall of Fame inductions of Johnny Damon, Jon Lester and Mike Timlin. "We came back, we fought and we got (a World Series crown). The City of Boston is known to be strong and to come back with a vengeance. This team, this city and this organization is going to overcome everything that we're going through right now. I am extremely positive about it."