Dustin Pedroia

At 40 years old, Dustin Pedroia has this physical status:

Dustin Luis Pedroia (born August 17, 1983) is an American baseball second baseman for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB).

He is a four-time All-Star and an American League winner who has received four Gold Glove Awards as well as a single Silver Slugger award. Pedroia was drafted by the Red Sox in 2004 and made his major league debut in 2006.

He became a full-time player in 2007 when he was named AL Rookie of the Year.

In 2007 and 2013, he was a member of the Red Sox World Series championship teams.

He was not on the Red Sox's preseason roster for the 2018 championship.

Pedroia is the only player from the 2007 World Series team still playing, as well as the longest member on the Red Sox' roster, following David Ortiz' retirement at the end of the 2016 season.

Pedroia will continue to play for the Red Sox through the 2021 season. Pedroia is an above-average contact hitter with a low strikeout rate and "a surprising amount of fire," whose defense at second base has been rated as high as compared to others.

Pedroia is the first Red Sox infielder to win four Gold Gloves.

Early life

Pedroia's parents owned a tire store in Woodland, California, northwest of Sacramento. They worked 14 hours a day. Debbie Pedroia, his mother, played tennis at Sacramento City College. Brett, Pedroia's older brother, played baseball as a catcher at Shasta College.

Pedroia played football and baseball at Woodland High School. Lance Briggs, a future All-Pro NFL linebacker, tore his ankle, ending his football career as a freshman quarterback. Pedroia, a senior baseball player who did not strike out all season, had a.445 batting average and was named as his league's Most Valuable Player.

Personal life

Pedroia has earned several nicknames during his time in Boston, including Pedey, the Laser Exhibition, and the Muddy Chicken. His ancestry is of Swiss Italian and Portuguese origins. Pedroia's official name is 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m), but he claims he is 5 foot 7 inches (1.70 m) in 2016. Pedroia has expressed an interest in Bigfoot, including tweeting about the show Finding Bigfoot from his Twitter page. Pedroia loves playing cribbage; he and his former boss Terry Francona used to play together. Pedroia is a fan of the Sacramento Kings of the NBA and the San Francisco 49ers.

Pedroia was selected as the head artist of the baseball video game MLB 09: The Show on January 9, 2009, and he appeared in numerous commercials for the game.

Pedroia's mother, Kelli, gave birth to the couple's first child, a boy, in August 2009. Pedroia's mother Kelli had her second child in September 2012. The couple had their third child in June 2014. They owned a home in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, but decided against selling it in 2020. They live in Chandler, Arizona. Pedroia is the nephew of Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Phil Snow.

Pedroia sluggishly criticized Woodland, California, calling it a "dump" and a town that never welcomed him in a 2009 interview with Boston magazine. His hometown and his family were all chastised, and his family was threatened with death threats. Pedroia's remarks later explained that he was only joking and that his remarks were taken out of context. The original article's author, on the other hand, insisted that his use of the term was not deceptive. Pedroia's transcript of the interview said, "It's a dump." You can rely on me on this. I don't give a shit."

Pedroia has written an autobiography and a children's book about Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster as a continuation of a sequence started by Jerry Remy:

Source

College career

Pedroia played baseball for the Arizona State Sun Devils baseball team at Arizona State University (ASU). He was a student with Ian Kinsler and Andre Ethier. For the shortstop job at ASU, Kinsler and Pedroia vied. Pedroia stayed at shortstop, while Kinsler stayed at second base before moving to the University of Missouri. Pedroia never stopped below.347 in three years at ASU and had a career average of.384 in all 185 games. Pedroia has also refunded the last two years of his athletic scholarship in order to assist ASU recruit better pitchers. He was named ASU On Deck's Most Valuable Player, alongside Ike Davis, Willie Bloomquist, Paul Lo Duca, and Barry Bonds; other winners include Ike Davis, Willie Bloomquist, Paul Lo Duca, and Barry Bonds.

Professional career

Pedroia was drafted by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2004 MLB draft, with the 65th pick overall. Pedroia, the eighth shortstop to be drafted, was given a $575,000 signing bonus.

Pedroia batted.308 while playing second base and shortstop during three seasons in Minor League Baseball. He spent 2004 with the Class A GreenJackets and Class A-Advanced Sarasota Red Sox, part of 2005 with the Portland Sea Dogs, and with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox in 2005 and 2006.

Pedroia was the Red Sox's regular second baseman after a brief call-up in 2006, when he hit.191 in 89 at-bats. Pedroia suffered early in the season, but the Giants bounced back, putting up a 13-game hitting streak and a five-hit game. On September 1, he made a diving stop to save fellow rookie Clay Buchholz's no-hitter. Pedroia was named to the 2007 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team and was named in the AL Rookie of the Year award.

In the 2007 ALCS, the Red Sox defeated the Indians. Pedroia starred and doubled in Game 7 of the series to guarantee the Red Sox's spot in the World Series against the Rockies, securing the Red Sox's spot in the World Series. Pedroia homered in the first at bat of the season, making him the second player and the first rookie to lead off the Series with a home run. The Red Sox captured their second World Series title in four seasons and their first World Series championship for Pedroia.

Pedroia's continued to do well in the 2008 regular season, winning the AL MVP, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger awards. He was the first Red Sox second baseman to win a Silver Slugger Award since Doug Griffin in 1972, and the first Red Sox second baseman to win an American League MVP award since Nellie Fox in 1959. For a 127 wRC+, he hit.326 with 17 home runs over 726 PAs. According to UZR, Pedroia was defensively strong, making only six errors in 157 games and saving +9.7 runs over the season. Pedroia's 2008 was also his most prolific on the basepaths; he stole 20 bases in 21 attempts for baserunning worth 4.9 runs over average.

By Fangraphs, Pedroia's regular season was rated 6.5 WAR, a "superstar" level of effort. Cal Ripken Jr. and Ryan Howard were the third player to win Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in a row, with Kris Bryant following him later.

Pedroia was hitless in the first three games of the 2008 ALDS, with only an RBI double in Game 4. In four games, the Red Sox defeated the Angels. Pedroia was hitting the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS, collecting nine hits in 26 plate appearances, including three home runs and a double. The remainder of the squad failed to a.234 batting average against the Tampa pitching staff, and the Red Sox lost the series.

Pedroia's six-year contract extension was worth $40.5 million on December 3, 2008, with an additional team option for 2015 worth $11 million.

Pedroia announced on December 15, 2008 that he would play for the United States team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. During an exhibition game against the Mets on April 3, he scored his first Major League hit in Citi Field history. In his first at bat of the 2009 season, he had a home run.

Pedroia was selected to start with the 2009 AL All Star Team. Pedroia, on the other hand, had to pull off the team to stay with his partner Kelli, who was having pregnancy issues with their first child. The same reason prompted him to miss a regular season game before the All Star break.

Pedroia's first multi-home run game against the Orioles on September 8, 2009.

Pedroia responded by saying, "What he doesn't know is that if we don't do well in these games against the Yankees, we get killed." If he doesn't want to watch Red Sox and Yankee games, he should tell the umpires' union. If we're in the World Series, the boy will be out of the assignment, as well."

Pedroia's Game against the Rockies on June 24, 2010, he went 5 for 5, 5 RBI, and three home runs, defeating the Red Sox 13-11 in the tenth inning. Pedroia fouled a ball off his foot in an at-bat against the Giants the next day. The next day, MRI findings revealed that he had a fractured foot and was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Pedroia was not able to put weight on his injured foot for two weeks, but he continued to practice fielding grounders while on his knees.

Pedroia was supposed to be a reserve player on the 2010 AL All Star team, but he did not participate due to this injury and had former Arizona State teammate Ian Kinsler replace him on the roster. Pedroia returned to the lineup against the Angels on August 17 but only to be put back on the DL after playing two games. Pedroia will miss out on 2010 after playing only 75 games.

Pedroia came back in 2011, batting.307 and slugging 21 home runs in over 159 games. He received the Fielding Bible Award in 2011 as the best fielding second baseman in baseball, and he had his best defensive season by calculating zone rating, with 18.1 runs saved. Pedroia's hitting streak lasted 25 games in June and July, the longest for a Red Sox second baseman. Pedroia was involved in a triple play launched by Jed Lowrie on August 16, beginning with Jed Lowrie. Fangraphs named Pedroia's 2011 season at 7.6 Wins Above Replacement, a "MVP-caliber" appearance.

Pedroia broke his left ring finger on September 30, 2012, but after being told that the injury would not devolve with use, he decided to play through the pain in the upcoming season-ending series at Yankee Stadium.

Pedroia and the Red Sox signed an eight-year contract extension worth $110 million on July 23, 2013. Pedroia was represented in ACES Inc's discussions by Sam Levinson and Seth Levinson.

Pedroia bounced back from his injury-plagued 2012 to become the only Red Sox player to play more than 150 games in 2013 during the team's 2013 regular season, playing in 160 games. Pedroia's sophomore Gold Glove Award, second Fielding Bible Award, and the Wilson Overall Defensive Player of the Year Award for the American League followed his good regular season. The Red Sox won their division and went on to win the World Series.

Pedroia's torn UCL was repaired by thumb surgery in November 2013, the first baseman to suffer when slipping to first base on the first day.

Pedroia's first home run and his 300th career double in May 2014 celebrated his 100th career home run and his 300th double appearance. Pedroia's hitting ability dropped to league average before the 2014 All Star break, and he only hit four home runs. He batted.278/.337/.376 for the season. However, his fielding numbers remained solid. Pedroia received the American League Gold Glove award at second base, his fourth in his nine-year career, as well as his third Fielding Bible Award. With his victory over four Gold Gloves, he became the first Red Sox infielder to win four Gold Gloves.

Pedroia opened the 2015 MLB season with two home runs in the Red Sox's opening game, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Due to a right hamstring strain, the Red Sox put him on the 15-day disabled list on June 25, 2015.

Pedroia had a good month as a hitter in August, extending to three games, starting with a streak of three games from August 25 to 27, just shy of tying a record of 12 consecutive at bats with a base hit (shared by three players since 1902. Pedroia had ten singles, one double, scored two runs, and drove in three during the streak. He also walked once during the streak, extending his base appearances to more than 12 consecutive appearances. Pedroia batted.318 runs, 36 doubles, 105 runs scored, 15 home runs, and 74 RBI in 154 games. With 24 plays grounded into, he finished second in the AL in double plays grounded into.

The Red Sox set a 93-69 record in the 2016 ALDS, but the Indians swept them in three games. Pedroia underwent left knee surgery, a partial medial meniscectomy, andchondroplasty on October 13. He was named in the Fielding Bible in 2016. In addition, he received the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award for second base in all of MLB.

Pedroia was put on the 10-day disabled list on May 30 due to a left wrist sprain. Due to left knee pain, he was put on the 10-day disabled list on August 1, the first time. Pedroia was put on the disabled list for the third time this season due to soreness in the same knee. Pedroia finished the 2017 Red Sox season with a.293 batting average, 7 home runs, and 62 RBI. Pedroia's knee cartilage restoration was announced on October 25, ensuring he will miss the 2018 season.

Pedroia started the 2018 Red Sox season on the disabled list following his knee injury recovery in late 2017. He was assigned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox for a rehabilitation stint on May 14. He was activated on May 26, but after three games (batting 1-for-11), he returned to the disabled list with left knee pains. Pedroia was moved to the 60-day disabled list on August 4, 2011. Pedroia would not be involved in any further action for the remainder of 2018. The Red Sox won the World Series over the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2008, finishing the year 108-54. Although Pedroia did not participate in the season nor was on the team's World Series roster, he and other key personnel not on the World Series roster did receive 2018 World Series rings; as championship rings are issued by a team at their discretion.

Pedroia's first game action since May 2018, hitting a single in his lone at bat of the game on March 7, 2019. He began the season on the injured list early in the season. He was sent to Class A Greenville, where he played in three games, batting 3-for-9. Pedroia was activated for Boston's home opener on April 9, appeared in six games while batting 2-for-20 (.100/.100/.100), and returned to the injured list on April 18 due to left knee pain. On May 2, he began a rehabilitation program with Double-A Portland. He was up for anything on May 11 due to knee pain, and his stay with Portland was suspended on May 13. He started his recovery with Triple-A Pawtucket on May 17, and then with Double-A Portland on May 24. Pedroia was forced to miss Portland's May 24 game due to left knee pain.

After being rated, he revealed on May 27 that he would take time to consider his future. "I'm not positive" when asked whether he'll ever play again. The Red Sox upgraded Pedroia to the 60-day hospital list on the same day. Pedroia underwent left knee joint preservation surgery on August 6, 2008. He had the slowest sprint speed of any American League second basemen in 2019, at 25.0 feet per second.

Pedroia suffered a "key setback" with his left knee on January 21, 2020, according to a newspaper. Pedroia was the team's 60-day injured list on February 23, which was transferred to Pedroia on the 60-day injured list. Pedroia missed the entirety of the 2020 season due to his injuries.

Pedroia announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on February 1, 2021, after 14 seasons.

Pedroia was honored in the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2021, and he was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame on June 25, 2021.

Source