A gardener who happens to pitch for the Mets

The New York Times has a great article today about Pedro Martinez, renowned pitcher for the New York Mets, who it turns out is an avid gardener when not on the mound at Shea Stadium. Martinez owns an eight acre estate in Greenwich, Connecticut landscaped with dogwoods, crabapples, tulips, two waterfalls and a pond.

Martinez says that gardening helps him relax, focus, and heal from the serious wear-and-tear of major league pitching: "If something hurts, it disappears when you are in the garden. It's about deep thinking, about letting go."

According to the article Martinez's favorite flowers are orchids, found throughout his native Dominican Republic, which fascinate him because of their fragility. Strangely, he makes no mention of pitcher plants, but I'm sure he must appreciate those as well.

The gardening really must be helping, because this plant-loving pitcher has led the Mets to one of their best seasons ever. Turns out the secret to a mean curve ball may be a green thumb. It won't be long before we see Randy Johnson of the Yankees out planting dahlias.