Pedro Martinez’s wife is Carolina Cruz Martinez, a former ESPN Deportes reporter and current president of the Pedro Martinez Foundation. The couple has been married since 2005, and together they’ve built one of the most impactful charitable organizations in the Dominican Republic and the United States.
While Pedro earned his place in Cooperstown as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, Carolina has carved out her own legacy as a philanthropist, advocate, and the steady force behind the Martinez family’s mission to give back.
Carolina Cruz’s Background and Early Life
Carolina Cruz was born on October 1, 1981, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She comes from an athletic family—her father played baseball for the Dominican national team, and both of her parents ran a Little League program.
From a young age, Carolina dreamed of becoming a sports journalist. She grew up listening to ESPN and set her sights on becoming “the next Linda Cohn”. That dream took her to Boston College, where she was a student-athlete on the volleyball team and majored in journalism.
She later earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Miami and went on to work as a sideline reporter for ESPN Deportes.
How Pedro and Carolina Met
Pedro and Carolina first crossed paths in 1998 when Pedro was pitching for the Boston Red Sox. According to Carolina, Pedro would often sit in the stands at Boston College to watch her play volleyball.
The couple dated for seven years before tying the knot on November 9, 2005. Their shared Dominican heritage and mutual respect for each other’s ambitions became the foundation of their relationship.
As Carolina once explained about balancing her studies with Pedro’s demanding career: “I was busy with school, so I would go on-and-off. When we went to the Mets, we got married, and I traveled a little bit more with him”.
The Pedro Martinez Foundation: A Shared Mission
If there’s one thing that defines Pedro and Carolina’s partnership, it’s their commitment to philanthropy. Carolina serves as President of the Pedro Martinez Foundation, which focuses on providing education, health services, and athletic opportunities to vulnerable children in the Dominican Republic and the United States.
Under their leadership, the foundation has accomplished remarkable things:
- Built a school serving 1,700 children in the Dominican Republic
- Impacted over 100,000 children through various programs
- Launched a coding program for elementary school students in Lawrence, Massachusetts
- Organized hurricane relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Noel
In May 2025, both Pedro and Carolina received Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Humane Letters from Fisher College in recognition of their philanthropic work. Fisher College also established a $5,000 scholarship to support the foundation’s mission.
Pedro and Carolina’s Children
Pedro and Carolina are the proud parents of four children: Pedro Martinez Jr. , Pedro Isaías Martinez, Enyol Martinez, and Nayla Martinez.
Two of their sons have followed in their father’s athletic footsteps. Pedro Jr. signed a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers in 2017 as a third baseman, while Pedro Isaías played at Nova Southeastern University in Florida.
Carolina has been vocal about letting their children chart their own paths. “I think Pedro has made it really clear to his sons that they don’t have to be him, they don’t have to become him,” she told Boston.com.
Life After Baseball
When Pedro retired from baseball in 2009, Carolina noted that the transition was welcomed by the family. “It was a really demanding schedule and that was probably one of the reasons why he rushed his retirement,” she explained. “They get tired of hotels, of traveling, of eating hotel food. I think by the time they’re 38, 39, they’re ready to just be home”.
Today, the couple splits their time between their home in the Boston area and a luxurious oceanfront mansion in Miami, where they enjoy a quieter life away from the spotlight.
They still make regular public appearances together—including at the 47th Annual Sports Emmy Awards in 2026, where Carolina turned heads in a vibrant pink floor-length gown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pedro Martinez’s wife?
Pedro Martinez’s wife is Carolina Cruz Martinez. They married on November 9, 2005, and have four children together.
What does Carolina Cruz do?
Carolina Cruz is the President of the Pedro Martinez Foundation, which focuses on education, health, and athletic programs for children in the Dominican Republic and the United States. She previously worked as an ESPN Deportes sideline reporter.
How did Pedro Martinez and Carolina Cruz meet?
They met in 1998 when Pedro was playing for the Boston Red Sox and Carolina was a student-athlete at Boston College. Pedro would attend her volleyball games, and the couple dated for seven years before marrying.
How many children do Pedro and Carolina have?
They have four children: Pedro Martinez Jr., Pedro Isaías Martinez, Enyol Martinez, and Nayla Martinez.
What awards have Pedro and Carolina received together?
In 2025, both received Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Humane Letters from Fisher College for their philanthropic work through the Pedro Martinez Foundation.
Leave a Reply