Inside the NBA has the most celebrated and talented cast. The chemistry and unscripted nature of the show are game-changers. As we take a closer look, more surprising details and elements continue to amaze us. One such detail has recently been revealed. The cast engages in a special routine that is copied from another legendary broadcasting personality, often referred to as the ‘Charles Barkley of Baseball.’

In a recent segment of The Steam Room Podcast, Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley welcomed former football quarterback Matt Ryan. As the three discussed vocal exercises before going on air, Ryan expressed curiosity about whether the Inside crew had any such exercises. Unsurprisingly, both Johnson and Barkley agreed. Johnson revealed that they don’t have anything special or as serious as vocal lessons. However, they do copy a gesture from a baseball legend.

That legend is former MLB pitcher Pedro Martínez. “We have one little thing that we do. We stole it from Pedro Martinez cuz Pedro does it,” Johnson said. Both Johnson and Barkley mimicked the gesture, pointing their index fingers toward each other and saying “yeah.”

The Philadelphia 76ers legend then shared that they did have a session of vocal lessons before starting March Madness coverage. While both still remember the lesson taught by the coach, they don’t seem to practice it much. However, Johnson did learn one thing from the coach.

It was Grether’s Pastilles, soothing pastilles for the throat, that has been a great help to Johnson. Still, the crew seems more fond of imitating the MLB legend’s gesture than anything else, since that was the first thing that they mentioned.

Who is Pedro Martinez?

The 3x Cy Young Award winner remains unforgettable and legendary with his record of 219 wins and 100 losses, the tenth-highest winning percentage in Major League history. Throughout his career, he played for five teams, but his most success came while he was with the Boston Red Sox. In 2004, Martínez finally made it, leading the Red Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years. His number was retired by the franchise.

Following his retirement, he also worked closely with the franchise. Later, he joined MLB on TBS as a studio analyst in 2013. He is also a studio analyst for MLB Network. Martinez is considered one of the toughest and greatest pitchers in baseball history. And he has maintained a similar level of success in his broadcasting career as well. 

He once said, “I want every single player to do good…to be even better than I was.” Like Barkley, Martínez has always shared his unfiltered opinions, but he has a very different style than Chuck. That raises the question, does Martínez know how one of his gestures is put to good use by Barkley and the entire cast of Inside the NBA?