Fans usually celebrate the athletes they see on the field, but many people working behind the scenes deserve recognition, too. Carolina Cruz Martinez is one of those figures: known publicly as the wife of pitcher Pedro Jaime Martínez, she has also built a distinct record of accomplishments in her own right.
Carolina was raised alongside her sister Claudia in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in a household where baseball was a central passion. She pursued journalism, earning her undergraduate degree at Boston College and then a master’s in journalism from the University of Miami, and went on to work as a reporter for ESPN Deportes.
Along with Pedro, Carolina helped establish a foundation that serves communities in both the Dominican Republic and the United States. Their work concentrates on improving educational opportunities for children and strengthening local communities, with Carolina placing particular emphasis on encouraging young girls to believe in themselves and reach their goals.
Carolina and Pedro Martínez: A Relationship That’s Lasted Nearly Twenty Years
Carolina first met Pedro in 1998 while he was with the Boston Red Sox. They dated for several years before marrying on November 22, 2005. The pair did not have children together; Pedro is the father of four children from previous relationships.
Pedro Martinez and his wife, Carolina Cruz Martinez, have spent nearly two decades married
His children are Pedro Martínez Jr., Enyol Martínez, Pedro Isaías Martínez, and Nayla Martínez. Carolina has been involved in their lives, supporting them and sharing in the family’s experiences.
Pedro Martínez Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, signing with the Detroit Tigers as an international free agent in September 2017. Additionally, Pedro Isaías Martínez committed to play at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Carolina Cruz Martinez’s Longstanding Philanthropic Work
Carolina Cruz Martinez devotes much of her time to philanthropy, with a strong emphasis on children’s welfare, education, and healthcare in her native Dominican Republic. Alongside her husband, Pedro Martinez, she helps lead the Pedro Martinez and Brothers Foundation.
Originally, she had ambitions to be a sports journalist and even worked for ESPN Deportes, but meeting Pedro shifted her priorities. The couple turned their focus toward charitable projects, combining their resources and energy to support communities in need.
They have invested significant time and funds into rebuilding areas hit by hurricanes in the DR. Carolina also launched a program called “The Power in Learning,” aimed at helping teenage girls in the Dominican Republic gain access to quality education and opportunity.
Motivated by concerns over high teen pregnancy rates, Carolina started the initiative to offer girls hope, self-esteem, and practical skills. The project began with 120 participants, focusing on discovering each girl’s strengths, and the program culminated in an awards dinner to recognize their progress.
Carolina and her husband, Pedro, oversee the Pedro Martinez Foundation, which supports community projects in the Dominican Republic
The couple is collaborating with the University of Miami to create a community complex in Manoguayabo, Pedro’s hometown. Plans for the site include a school, a hospital, a police station, and other services designed to strengthen local infrastructure, with hopes to expand similar efforts elsewhere in Latin America and the United States.
Pedro purchased land in Manoguayabo in 1996 and has already established a school there; the foundation intends to add more facilities over time. Carolina describes the foundation’s work as rooted in family values and a commitment to helping others, and Pedro has expressed a willingness to do whatever it takes to assist those in need.
To raise awareness and support, Carolina has partnered with figures such as the First Lady of the Dominican Republic and various athletes. The couple maintains that donations to their foundation are directed straight to programs and services that benefit the community.
Author of “Mujer de Grandes Ligas” (2018)
Carolina, Pedro Martínez’s wife, published the book “Mujer de Grandes Ligas” in 2018. Through a collection of anecdotes, she portrays athletes’ experiences on the field and in their everyday lives, offering practical insights aimed at young people pursuing sports.
