On Pedro Martinez's birthday, we remember his spectacular All-Star Game performance

From 1997-'00, Pedro Martinez, who's celebrating his 45th birthday on Friday, put together one of the best four-year pitching campaigns of all-time. The righty averaged more than 288 strikeouts per season (leading the AL twice), topped the league in ERA three times, compiled 77 of his 219 career wins and took home three Cy Youngs. He also put up these stats during an era when hitting was at its absolute peak.

And perhaps the ultimate display of this dominance was when Pedro struck out five of the first six batters he faced in the 1999 All-Star Game -- making Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Jeff Bagwell, Larry Walker and future Hall of Famer Barry Larkin look silly:

It's the only time a pitcher has led off an All-Star Game with three straight K's.

Martinez went on to win two World Series rings with the Red Sox and serve superb stints with both the Mets and Phillies. He also had some legendary battles with the Yankees. Happy Birthday, Pedro. Enjoy it.