02/08/2005 8:17 PM ET Pedro reports early to camp New Mets ace gets jump on early training date By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com Pedro Martinez works out nine days before his fellow pitchers report to camp. (Rick Silva/AP) • Photo gallery NEW YORK -- Pedro Martinez said he was going to report to Spring Training on time this season and would arrive at Port St. Lucie, Fla., on Feb. 17 with the other pitchers and catchers. Apparently, he's had a change of heart. The hard-throwing right-hander reported to The Tradition Field complex Tuesday morning, nine days ahead of the voluntary date. Martinez, who signed a four-year, $53-million deal in December, was eager to get started with his new club. Though he traditionally reported after the voluntary date with the Red Sox, he was always in camp by the mandatory report date. This year, there would be no question as to when he would arrive. "I'm just here to work out," Martinez, who maintains a home in Miami, told The Associated Press. "I need to continue working just like I was doing in the Dominican. And there's no better place to do it since I live so close. "The new Mets are going to (have) a new attitude. It's going to be a team that went from last place in other years to being a team that's really going to compete and be in the middle of the race." So, despite the fact that he said last month that he was going to be on time, more than a few heads turned when he walked into the home clubhouse Tuesday morning around 9:30. "It was unbelievable," said third baseman David Wright, who has been in camp since last Thursday. "Seeing a guy as proven as he is, coming off a World Series and showing up, it's very inspirational to the younger players. To see a guy of his stature working with the younger guys because he believes he isn't good enough is something. For a younger player to see that is huge. "It proves he's here to win and the young kids look up to that. I know from talking to him and Willie [Randolph] and Mr. [Omar] Minaya at the Winter Caravan that he has that competitive drive and a real fire to win. He's going to do whatever it takes. So from that aspect of it, I wasn't surprised. It's motivation for the younger players because he's not satisfied with where he is. He comes to camp early and that's great for the younger players to see." Martinez and Wright were two of about 20 players who are already at Tradition Field working out. Pitchers Jae Seo, Aaron Heilman and Heath Bell are also in camp. "We were in Santo Domingo yesterday and he flew back with me," said Fern Cuza, Martinez's agent. "He wanted to get the feel of the facility and get to know some people in the organization. He wanted to get to know the training staff and see the facility. There's a little learning curve when you're with a new team and he wanted to get going early. "Pedro is looking forward to this year so he wanted to get there early and get a head start by becoming familiar with the surroundings. He'll crank it out in the next couple of days." Martinez joined the team two weeks ago for its Winter Caravan in Manhattan despite the fact it disrupted his strenuous training regiment. He said, at the time, it was important because he was new to the Mets but made it clear he probably wouldn't be joining the Caravan next winter. Martinez was 16-9 last year, making 33 starts for the first time since 1998.