In the first game of a big series against division rival, Atlanta Braves, Pedro Martinez helped lead the New York Mets to a 4-3 win Monday night.  It’s hard to determine which was sweeter for Martinez - winning number 200 for his career or defeating the Braves, winners of 14 consecutive division titles.  The Braves are to the Mets what the Detroit Pistons were to the Chicago Bulls in the late 80’s/early 90’s - that “hump” team that they needed to get over to once and for all diminish any sort of cloud over them.  Even in 2000 when the Mets made it to the World Series, their path didn’t go through the Braves, but the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Division Championships.  Whether or not this win is indicative of the Mets finally “getting over” the Braves, Monday night was an important start to the process.

Martinez joins Greg Maddux (320), Tom Glavine (277), Randy Johnson (265), David Wells (227), Mike Mussina (225), and Jamie Moyer (205) as the only active pitchers with 200 or more wins.  Martinez (70.4%) owns the highest career winning percentage with a minimum of 200 wins, followed by Whitey Ford (236-106; 69.0%), Lefty Grove (300-141; 68.0%), Christy Mathewson (373-188; 66.5%), Roger Clemens (341-172; 66.5%), and Randy Johnson (265-137; 65.9%).