Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia calls it a career
Dustin Pedroia will be remembered as a Red Sox for life
It was a long time coming as Red Sox star second baseman Dustin Pedroia has finally called it a career after 17 years spent in Boston. Ken Rosenthal released the news this morning via Twitter, confirming that Pedroia has officially chosen to hang it up.
Dustin Pedroia has announced his retirement.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 1, 2021
In the past three seasons, Pedroia had played just a total of nine games due to a brutal battle with injuries. Every time we thought he was going to retire he kept trying to bounce back. That was just the type of player he was, a non-stop fighter with a never quit mentality. Eventually, the battle with the injuries got the best of the 37-year-old.
Before the injuries, he was one of the faces of the franchise, appearing in 1,512 total games, and was known for his energy and his terrific glove at second base. He piled up a long list of accomplishments, including Rookie of the Year (2007), Most Valuable Player (2008), three-time World Series champion (2007, 2013, 2018), four-time Gold Glove award winner (2008, 2011, 2013, 2014), and a four-time All-Star (2008, 2009, 2010, 2013).
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Pedey had one of the more inspiring stories in recent memory as he entered the organization in 2004 as a second-round pick in the MLB amateur draft. The 5-foot-9 Arizona State native was consistently questioned because of his height and many people thought he would never make it to the big stage. The doubters only fueled Pedroia to prove everyone wrong that he had what it takes.
His real coming-out party was during the 2007 postseason where he had a .283 batting average, 2 home runs, and 10 RBI, which helped the Sox win a World Series championship versus the Colorado Rockies.
After that moment he would immediately become one of the best second basemen in all of baseball. The very next season he won the MVP, batting an outstanding .317, with 17 home runs, and 83 RBI and added a Gold Glove award as well. We can all talk about the outstanding diving plays he made numerous times at second base, but his plate discipline and hand-eye coordination as a hitter are what made him stand out from the rest.
Even though he never had a C on the corner of his jersey he was always viewed as Boston’s captain after Jason Varitek hung it up in 2011. He always carried the mentality that people never believed in him to the field every single day and that is what made his teammates respect him so much and made him become a tremendous leader of men.
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Dustin Pedroia will speak to the media today as he officially announces his retirement, as it is a day of celebration for Red Sox Nation. Be thankful we got to witness such a tremendous player and career. He will be remembered as a rare player who spent his entire time in the MLB with one organization. Thank you, Pedey.