Refining his slider in order to add another plus-pitch to his repertoire ... worked out with ex-Sox ace and Hall-of-Fame starter Pedro Martinez down in the Dominican Republic this winter.

"Anytime you face Pedro, he's tough. He's the best pitcher I ever ... it was obvious Martinez was coming out. "We were excited," Thome said. "Pedro was pitching a real good game.

View more [AUDIO LOGO] KEVIN CHESTNUT: Why do you think the MLB postseason is the best postseason of all sports? PEDRO MARTINEZ: I think it's just a-- baseball is the only sport where you cannot ...