Pedro Martinez, one of the great pitchers of his generation and a native of the Dominican Republic, took the mound at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night, as the Philadelphia Phillies’ starting pitcher in Game 2 of the World Series. A great Dominican starter on the mound at the World Series and at Yankee Stadium evokes memories of the first.

Game 4 of the 1962 Series, Juan Marichal took the mound for the Giants against the Yankees. Marichal pitched four innings, and held the Yankees to no runs, two hits and two walks. He struck out four.

While attempting to bunt while batting in the top of the fifth, Marichal was hit on the fingers of his pitching hand and had to leave the game with the Giants leading 2-0. The Giants went on to win, 7-3, thanks to Chuck Hiller’s grand slam. Giants reliever Don Larsen got the win, six years after pitching (for the Yankees) the only perfect game in Series history. Marichal would be unavailable for the rest of the seven-game Series.

It was a tough break for Marichal and the Giants, but his appearance paved the way for other great Dominicans, including Pedro Martinez.