Let’s face it, it won’t get much better than 2018 for baseball fans in Boston. Finishing with a record of 108-54, winning the AL East, seeing off the current World Champions, the Houston Astros, in five games, and then winning the coveted World Series against the Dodgers.
Players like Xander Bogaerts, Ian Kinsler, J.D. Martinez, Mookie Betts, and Brock Holt had years they would remember for the rest of their careers (and lives!). However, there was one man, a Boston legend, watching from a distance; Dustin Pedroia.
Through the Good Times and Bad
This love affair between player and organization began in 2004 when Pedroia was drafted in the second round of the draft. Although eighth in the list of that year’s shortstops, he worked hard in the minors and started right at the bottom. Soon enough, he progressed through Class A, Class A-Advanced, Double-A, and Triple-A.
Finally, in 2007, he was given his chance to shine in the big leagues as he replaced Mark Loretta at second base. Although starting with a small slump, he soon turned things around and the rest, as they say, is history.
At the beginning of the 2019 season, his career batting average was above .300 and he had;
- 1,805 hits
- 140 home runs
- 725 RBIs
- 138 stolen bases
What’s more, he has earned four call-ups to the All-Star team, two World Series championships (2008 and 2013), and plenty of other individual accolades (including AL Rookie of the Year, AL MVP, and four Gold Glove awards).
Even for those with little interest in sport, it’s easy to see how influential Pedroia has been in Boston as well as the successful nature of the partnership in general. A Hall of Fame induction and number retirement is unnecessary, it’s clear.
Times of Change
At this point, at the end of May, the second baseman hasn’t had a regular role in the team for around two years due to persistent knee troubles. In October 2017, he went through cartilage restoration surgery on his left knee. At the time, the surgeon told him that playing again would be unlikely…still he refused to give up.
After managing three games in the successful season last year, he played in April this year, but now finds himself back on the injured list and playing for the Class AAA Pawtucket side.
On Monday, a press conference was called alongside manager Alex Cora and GM David Dombrowski. It wasn’t the retirement call some fans were dreading, but there was a similar feeling as Pedroia couldn’t answer whether or not he would take to the field again.
Whatever the outcome in the coming months, we can trust that Pedroia is doing all he can to don the Red Sox jersey one last time. Will his knee comply? In terms of his legendary status, it doesn’t matter; he’s already earned it.
At Celeb Network, we cover celeb news and love to bring you the latest, but we also enjoy tales of determination and persistence. We wish Pedroia all the best in his recovery and hope he gets the standing ovation he deserves from the Fenway Park crowd one way or another!
