Pedroia Finally Hangs Up the Cleats: Looking back at the spectacular career of a Red Sox Legend
After his official retirement from baseball on February 1, Dustin Pedroia concluded a spectacular 14-year career as the second baseman for the Boston Red Sox. Pedroia succeeded at baseball for all of the right reasons; he brought a level of energy and passion to the field matched by few and worked tirelessly to become an elite athlete.
Pedroia was consistently an undersized player yet compensated for his size through his hard work. Even by the time he reached the big leagues, Pedroia stood at around 5’8”, but his work ethic made up for his height. Throughout his entire career, Pedroia always arrived first at the ballpark to practice and prepare for games. When fellow Red Sox legend David Ortiz interrupted a 2013 interview, including Pedroia and members of Red Sox ownership, he said, “when we play night games, this bastard is hereby noon!” From his rookie year until injuries forced his playing career to an end, Pedroia played with a readiness to prove his doubters wrong. In a famous incident before Game 3 of the 2007 World Series, the security guard for the Colorado Rockies refused to let Pedroia into the ballpark, not believing he was, in fact, the leadoff hitter for the Red Sox that night. Whenever doubted, Pedroia always proved people wrong, and following the confrontation, he got three hits in the game on the path to Boston’s sweep of the Rockies in the World Series. Pedroia played the game with true passion, and every one of Pedroia’s doubters was eventually in awe of the self-proclaimed “Laser Show.”
As one of the best second basemen in Red Sox history, Pedroia had playing accomplishments that were just as impressive as his character. In his first two years in the league, Pedroia won the 2007 American League Rookie of the Year Award and the AL MVP Award the next year. Pedroia served as a crucial part of the Red Sox’ World Series victories in 2007 and 2013 and mentored many of the young players that led the Red Sox to another title in 2018. After a dirty slide effectively ended his playing career in 2017, Pedroia has served a leadership role in the clubhouse and served as a mentor to many young stars on the Red Sox, despite not being able to take the field himself.
Pedroia embodied ‘heart over height,’ and his perseverance vastly outshined his smaller figure. Fans will miss Dustin’s energy on the field, and his work ethic sets an example for the next generation of baseball players.
Writer's Note
To me especially, the news of Pedroia’s retirement hit hard. For as long as I can remember, I have been a devoted Red Sox fan with Dustin Pedroia at the top of my list of favorite players. At my first Red Sox game at Fenway Park in Pedroia’s rookie year, he launched two home runs over the Green Monster. From there I was hooked and obsessed over Pedroia’s every at-bat, even going as far as wearing his number 15 on the back of my baseball jersey from little league through middle school. Especially as an undersized ballplayer with a never-ceasing love for the game of baseball, Pedroia inspired me as a player, both with his electric on-field performances and with his admirable perseverance and drive to prove everyone who doubted him wrong. I am truly sad to see his career end, and I will always look back fondly at the memories that I had of watching him as a kid and have endless respect for his work ethic and passion for the game of baseball.
