He also suspects that secretly the feeling is mutual.

"If I was on the Yankees, I'd probably be like a king over here," Martinez said after pitching Game 2 of the World Series on Thursday night in Yankees Stadium.

Martinez will get his chance to renew his relationship with the fans in the Bronx as well as the team in the blue pinstripes as the Phillies starting pitcher in tomorrow night's Game 6.

"Pedro is ready to go," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said after last night's 8-6 victory in Game 5.

Martinez was his normal relaxed self in the clubhouse after last night's game. Declining to comment, he teased reporters, "Sorry, not talking. Earn your job. Be creative, like always."

He has a lot of history with the Yankees' fans, pitching the bulk of his career with the Boston Red Sox and for the New York Mets.

But it's in a Phillies' uniform that the 38-year-old athlete, a likely future Hall of Famer, will once again take the mound on baseball's brightest stage.

Martinez will be pitching on a full five days of rest. The Yankees are likely to counter with another probable future Hall of Famer in lefthander Andy Pettitte, who would be working on three days' rest.

"I know they really want to root for me," Martinez said of Yankees' fans. "It's just that I don't play for the Yankees. I've always been a good competitor and they love that. They love the fact that I compete."

Martinez went six solid innings in Game 2 in New York. He took the 3-1 loss, but was pleased with his performance. He allowed three earned runs. He struck out eight.

Manuel said he expected a similar effort tomorrow.

"He's capable of going six, seven innings, maybe more," Manuel said.

Martinez admits he's not the same pitcher he was in his prime. But he said he's adjusted to a little loss of velocity.

Plus, he loves the spotlight.

"I know I made the right decision to come back and put myself in this position to pitch in the World Series," Martinez said.

Martinez said he throws hard enough to get out major-league hitters. Once a power pitcher, Martinez nows relies more on location, change of speed, and guile.

"I think 90 to 93 [m.p.h.] sometimes is good enough if you use your other pitches well," Martinez said. "I don't have the 97 m.p.h. fastball I used to have. It's a game of adjustments and I consistently adjust to the situation."

Martinez was a strong addition to the Phillies' rotation in midseason. He went 5-1 in his final 10 starts, with a 3.63 ERA.

He was terrific in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. He went seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits, but took a no-decision when the Dodgers rallied against the Phillies' bullpen.

In Game 2 of the World Series, Martinez worked his way through the Yankees' lineup. He was hurt by a pair of solo home runs by Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui.

Martinez was asked after Game 2 if this was his last season.

"If we win the World Series, I suggest you fly to the Dominican and ask me," Martinez said.