On this date in 2009, the Phillies signed future Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez to a one-year deal en route to their second National League pennant.
Coming off a World Series win the Phillies were in desperate need for help in their starting rotation. In the first half of the season, World Series MVP Cole Hamels was 5-5 with a 4.87 ERA, seeming to struggle with his newfound fame and dominance.
Brett Myers went on the 60-day disabled list in July, and Kyle Kendrick was brought back up from the minors. The starting rotation in the first half of the season had a 4.