Dustin Pedroia News: Pro Sports Daily

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October 10

Boston Herald

"It used to be the Red Sox never wanted to talk about history, for no other reason than so much of it was pretty bad. Now with the Red Sox facing elimination as they return to Fenway Park for Game 3 of the Division Series against the Los Angeles Angels tomorrow, second baseman Dustin Pedroia believes it's time for he and his teammates to know their Sox history. Recent history, that is. "We have a lot of players on this team that know how to win," Pedroia said following the Red Sox' 4-1 loss in Game 2 last night at Angels Stadium. "You have to win three games in the first series. You don't just win two. "We still have life and we're going to go out and play as hard as we can. We've proved we ..."

Weekend's a big zero for Pedroia

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September 28

New York Post

"If someone asked Dustin Pedroia what he did this weekend against the rival Yankees and he replied "nothing," that would be dead-on. The Red Sox second baseman -- and reigning AL MVP -- struggled through a miserable weekend in The Bronx, going 0-for-11 in the Yankees' three-game AL East-clinching sweep. Pedroia went 0-for-3 on Friday, 0-for-4 on Saturday and wrapped up his hitless series with an 0-for-4 in the Yankees' 4-2 victory yesterday at the Stadium. Coming into the series, Pedroia had hit well against the Yankees this season, having gone 18-for-60 (.300) with a homer and 12 walks. Pedroia said the Yankees didn't pitch him any differently this time. "I just didn't get any hits," he ..."

Dustin Pedroia right at home

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September 14

Boston Herald

"This season, he's not being mentioned as a candidate for American League Most Valuable Player and his numbers have dipped some from his totals of a year ago. He won't lead the team in batting average or homers or RBI, but now that time is short and October is approaching, is there anyone else you would rather see at the plate in a tight spot more than Dustin Pedroia ? He popped two homers Tuesday against Baltimore, then smashed another one yesterday in the eighth inning to snap a tie and give the Red Sox a 3-1 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of a day-night doubleheader. When he crossed home plate and headed for the dugout, teammate Kevin Youkilis [stats] almost knocked him ..."

Going in right direction

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September 14

Boston Globe

"Dustin Pedroia looked as surprised as anyone. He had just thwacked one out of Fenway Park, the baseball landing in the Rays bullpen, a location foreign to Pedroia. Yes, he had gotten the first opposite-field home run of his career earlier this season, taking a Joba Chamberlain pitch out to right field in Yankee Stadium. But that hardly counted. Almost anyone could hit a homer to right at Yankee Stadium. Yet, with the first game of yesterday's doubleheader tied at 1-1 in the eighth inning, Pedroia surprised and delighted, his two-run shot helping the Sox to a 3-1 win that later became a sweep of a Rays team that has utterly fallen apart with a Game 2 triumph (4-0). "Pedroia hitting a home ..."

Potent Pedroia homes in

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September 9

Boston Globe

"His first home run of the year couldn't have made a bigger impression. Dustin Pedroia took the second pitch he saw and blasted it over the Green Monster in his very first at-bat, giving the fans at Fenway Park some fireworks in the season opener against Tampa Bay. Then he went 183 at-bats before hitting another one. All the while he offered some form of the same stock lines. One was that he didn't swing for the fences, he swung for line drives and homers just happened. The other was that he hit his home runs in bunches and eventually the numbers would sort themselves out."

Dustin Pedroia gets chatty with homers

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September 9

Boston Herald

"Last night's 10-0 laugher was finished early enough for the Red Sox to enjoy a few yuks as the game progressed. Dustin Pedroia]'s first two-homer game seemed to inspire an entertaining volley of biceps-kissing-style trash talk from the second baseman in the Sox dugout. "Yeah, it's good to be home," Pedroia said. "It felt like after that road trip we lose three out of four in Chicago and get home and we want to play well and keep the atmosphere relaxed." Of what came out of Pedroia's mouth in the dugout, manager Terry Francona said, "There's nothing to say. There's no room to say anything - he's doing all the talking. You just sit there and laugh." David Ortiz was not impressed. "He's got ..."

His play was the thing

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September 7

Boston Globe

"The catch seemed improbable. Dustin Pedroia scrambled to the foul line in mid-range right field. He was in place in time, making a stellar over-the-shoulder grab, and firing the ball immediately to shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who doubled up Scott Podsednik at second for the first two outs for Jon Lester. The play was pure Pedroia. But, more to the point, it saved Lester in the only moments in which he found himself in trouble throughout yesterday's 6-1 victory over the White Sox. It was the only inning in which he allowed more than one base runner, with Podsednik reaching on an infield single and Jayson Nix walking. And then, Paul Konerko lofted a blooper that looked like it would fall. Not ..."

Pedroia's Effort Level Leaves Robbie In Dust

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August 22

New York Post

columnist Joel Sherman

"I formed a seven- man committee comprised of one NL GM, one AL GM, and five assistants -- three NL and two AL -- and posed this question: If you could have Robinson Cano or Dustin Pedroia for the next five years, who would you take and why? The result surprised me. All seven executives picked Pedroia. He is the reigning MVP. But his 2009 season is down from last year while Cano has rebounded to have a positive campaign. Pedroia just turned 26, Cano turns 27 in October. I thought Cano might receive some extra points for potentially aging better than Pedroia, whose all-or-nothing swing scares me for the long term. However, all seven respondents followed a basic theme: "Pedroia has better ..."

Two Second Basemen, Two Measures of Promise

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August 22

New York Times

"If Robinson Cano and Dustin Pedroia were unknown players at a tryout camp instead of the starting second basemen for the Yankees and the Red Sox, the Mets' Alex Cora said, most scouts would salivate over Cano. Cano is more smooth and more athletic and looks like the superior player. But Pedroia, not Cano, has been the more accomplished player at the start of their careers. Pedroia snared the Most Valuable Player award last season, he won the Rookie of the Year award in 2007 and he already has a World Series ring. Cano has none of the above since making his debut in 2005. Still, Cano has seemingly matured, has been the better player this season and may be the better player in the future. ..."

Pedroia switches on the power booster

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August 17

Boston Globe

"Dustin Pedroia hit a home run in his first at-bat of the 2009 season. It took 190 more at-bats for Pedroia to hit his second homer. He waited another 125 ABs for his third. That wasn't much of a concern for the Sox, as his game isn't exactly predicated on power, but his lack of long balls still was notable. How things have changed."

Pedroia Upset After Getting Hit

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August 7

New York Post

"It's been a while since any fists flew between the Yankees and Red Sox, but last night it seemed like that might change before cooler heads prevailed. Dustin Pedroia was drilled in the shoulder by a Mark Melancon fastball during the eighth inning of the Yankees' 13-6 win in The Bronx and wasn't pleased about it. Both Melancon and Jorge Posada said there was no intent with the pitch, which came with the Yankees up 13-4. "It was two strikes, and I was trying to go up and happened to hit him," Melancon said. "It's my fault." Posada walked alongside Pedroia most of the way to first base and said he told the second baseman, who had homered off of Joba Chamberlain in the third, that they ..."

A most valuable player - on and off the field

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July 14

Boston Herald

"Here's what I've read about Dustin Pedroia. He's a pit bull, relentless, a fierce overachiever who works like a mad dog, a short guy determined to prove the doubters wrong. The media guide says he's 5 feet, 9 inches. No one believes it. All that just made it sweeter to learn yesterday that Pedroia will not be playing for the American League in the MLB All- Star game tonight. He said the decision was very, very tough. But his wife, Kelli, due to deliver their first child next month, has been hospitalized for premature labor. She needs him. And he will be there. What a heartwarming contrast to the endless weekend updates on our sports figures' - and non-sports figures' - domestic disasters. ..."

Red Sox' high-wire act

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July 12

Boston Herald

"The night started as a celebration. Of John Smoltz' return. Of Dustin Pedroia's fortitude. Of the Red Sox offense. Then it turned into a circus. One of those miserable circuses with sick animals and a ratty tent and a morose ringmaster counting the days until retirement. By the time it ended, amid pounding rain, it was a test of endurance. And all that matters is this: The Red Sox were the last team standing. The Sox outlasted the Kansas City Royals, 15-9, in an error- and homer-filled game that officially gave Smoltz his first victory in his new uniform. "It was one of those nights," said Kevin Youkilis, who blasted two homers. "Back and forth, back and forth. They got closer and closer. ..."

Dustin Pedroia delivers when team needed it most

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July 11

Boston Herald

columnist Sean McAdam

"Dustin Pedroia hadn't had much success in his first three at-bats against Kansas City's Brian Bannister last night. So when he came to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning with the potential go-ahead run in scoring position, he kept his approach simple. "Just trying to hit it hard," recounted Pedroia. Nothing else had worked for any of the Red Sox hitters through the first seven innings, as Bannister had allowed exactly one hit - a single to right in the fifth by Jacoby Ellsbury. Leading off the eighth, however, Mark Kotsay drove a line single up the middle. Pinch-runner Aaron Bates was then sacrificed to second and took third on a wild pitch. But after J.D. Drew fanned, it was up ..."

Dustin Pedroia could miss All-Star Game

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July 10

Boston Herald

"Doubt has arisen about Dustin Pedroia's attendance at next week's All-Star Game, with the second baseman's wife still in the hospital after going into early labor. Pedroia declined to speak about the matter before last night's game, and he was unavailable for comment after the Sox' 8-6 loss to the Royals. Sox manager Terry Francona said before the game that he was unaware of the possibility, raised in a Twitter post from Hall of Fame writer and broadcaster Peter Gammons. "No, his wife's going through a very serious time right now," said Francona. "I'm not sure how to answer that. I guess there's always a chance that he couldn't play because you don't know what's going to happen. But the ..."

Dustin Pedroia has an MVP night

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July 9

Boston Herald

"The first half of Dustin Pedroia's season hasn't been what he would have liked. But as the All-Star break approaches, there are signs that the Red Sox second baseman's year is starting to turn around. In the Sox' 5-4 victory against the Oakland Athletics last night at Fenway Park [map], Pedroia collected three hits (two doubles) and scored a run. The three-hit performance was his second in his last three games and 13th this season, the most in the American League and tied for the most in the majors with Houston's Miguel Tejada. Pedroia is hitting .304 this month, lifting his average to .296. "That's not the last you're going to see of that," Sox manager Terry Francona said of his second ..."

Dustin Pedroia makes return

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July 8

Boston Herald

"Second baseman Dustin Pedroia was back in the starting lineup, a night after he was a late scratch in order to be with his wife, Kelli, who had to be hospitalized after going into early labor. Pedroia spent the night in the room with his wife - "It's good, I'm small, I slept in a little bed," he said - but now that some of his wife's family has arrived in town, they have more support and he felt better about rejoining his team. The experience was obviously serious on Monday, but by yesterday pregame, Pedroia was able to have some fun with it. "We didn't know what was going on - they're trying to slow it, she's only seven months, they're giving her all this medicine they give you, some ..."

Dustin Pedroia out of action

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July 7

Boston Herald

"Second baseman Dustin Pedroia was a late scratch from last night's game, with the club initially saying that "personal reasons" were behind the move. After the 6-0 loss to the A's, manager Terry Francona said that Pedroia's absence was related to his wife's pregnancy. Kelli Pedroia is less than two months from her due date. Francona said he did not know Pedroia's availability for today, stressing that everyone's primary concern was with Kelli Pedroia's health. Last year's AL MVP and this year's starting second baseman at the All-Star Game was set to hit second and play second. To compensate, Julio Lugo [stats] came off the bench to take Pedroia's spot in the lineup and play shortstop, ..."

Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox turn it on

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July 6

Boston Herald

"Not until the day he was named an All-Star starter did Dustin Pedroia finally begin feeling comfortable at the plate. Even though his numbers aren't egregiously worse from this time last year, Pedroia would be the first to acknowledge that 2009 has been a struggle. That's why it was so rewarding - not to mention a bit of a relief - for Pedroia to feel a bit more like himself yesterday. He stroked three hits, including his third home run, in an 8-4 victory over the Mariners to help the Red Sox avoid their first home sweep of the season. "To be honest with you, the best I've swung the bat all year was today," he said. "It feels like I haven't really felt good up there one time. I have a good ..."

Dustin Pedroia looks good after three-hit night

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June 18

Boston Herald

"Dustin Pedroia, batting leadoff, appears to be emerging from a mini-slump. Three singles and three RBI last night helped lead the Red Sox to a 6-1 victory against the Marlins. The way he was reaching out to direct his hits to center and right-center were strong signs that Pedroia's plate-coverage abilities are coming back. "When you see Pedey reaching down, hitting balls to right field, hitting the ball up the middle, then more often than not somebody will try to come in and he'll turn on something," manager Terry Francona said. After going just 2-for-28 (.071) from June 7-13, Pedroia is now 5-for-10 in his last two games. "(Bench coach Brad Mills) actually made a comment to me. He goes, ..."

Dustin Pedroia welcomes rest

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June 15

Boston Herald

"Second baseman Dustin Pedroia doesn't typically embrace days off, but even he had to admit yesterday's was well-timed. With Pedroia mired in a rare slump, manager Terry Francona started Nick Green at second and gave Pedroia an extra day of rest. Acknowledging he feels, "just beat up a little," Pedroia is in the midst of a 2-for-28 skid that has dropped his average from .322 to .293. "My legs are still feeling a little heavy," Pedroia said. "Tito, it always seems like he makes these decisions at the right time. I was anticipating it probably a little bit. I've just hit one of those things where I'm not getting a lot of hits. Guys go through that. I'm not worried about it. I'll figure it ..."

Jonathan Papelbon heats up, but Dustin Pedroia saves Boston vs. Yankees

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June 11

New York Daily News

"This is what Dustin Pedroia thought as he ran out to second base for the top of the ninth last night at Fenway Park, ran out there with his team leading 6-5, ran out there with the Red Sox trying to go 7-0 for the season on the Yankees and the Yankees trying to come from behind and win the kind of game it seems the Red Sox have been winning from them since April: "I thought: Pap's going to have to face 'The Guys.' I thought: If you're going to get a one-run game off the Yankees, maybe you should have to go through 3-4-5 in the order." He was talking about his closer, Jonathan Papelbon. And talking about Mark Teixeira, who had two doubles on this night and a rousing single off the wall and ..."

Dustin Pedroia pick looms large

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June 7

Boston Herald

"If there's a scouting equivalent of hitting a home run in your first big league at-bat, Jason McLeod lived it in 2004. Brought on board the previous October as director of scouting administration, McLeod was one of the key decision-makers in June when the Red Sox took Arizona State All-American Dustin Pedroia with their first pick (second round), 65th overall. "I like to tell people that I wrote in my report that he'd be the American League Rookie of the Year and MVP, but I'd have to go back in and add it now," McLeod said. "For all of us involved, it's awesome. Did anyone think he'd be this good? We knew he'd be a good player and we felt strongly he'd play in the major leagues and have a ..."

Homer made game a happening for Pedroia

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June 1

Boston Globe

"Dustin Pedroia became a power hitter over certain periods of last season, but only, he says, by accident. He hit 17 home runs in 2008, but he speaks about them as if fate, not the barrel of a bat, decides when they occur. "Home runs happen," he said. They had not happened for Pedroia since his very first at-bat of the season. He launched a pitch over the Green Monster on Opening Day, and 218 plate appearances passed until his next home run came yesterday in an 8-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Pedroia batted leadoff for the first time this season, and in his third at-bat, in the fourth inning, he hooked a ball down the left-field line. It stayed up long enough to zip ..."

No waiting on Dustin Pedroia

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May 15

Boston Herald

"After being held out of the lineup twice - at least once against his will - as he recovered from a slight groin strain, Dustin Pedroia walked into the visitors clubhouse yesterday and saw his name restored to its rightful spot in the lineup card. "Looks like we're trying today," crowed Pedroia, who had been nagging manager Terry Francona to play him in each of the first two games of the series here. Ultimately, Pedroia's return to action didn't produce a Red Sox win, as the Sox were edged 5-4 in 12 innings by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. But it wasn't for lack of effort from the Red Sox' MVP second baseman. He reached base in each of his first five plate appearances, ending the ..."

Dustin Pedroia remains out

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May 14

Boston Herald

"As manager of the Red Sox, it's often Terry Francona's job to give players news they don't want to hear. But even by that standard, Francona knew he was in for it when he summoned Dustin Pedroia after Tuesday's 4-3 victory against the Los Angeles Angels to let the second baseman know he'd be sitting out a second straight game last night when the teams met for the middle game of the series. "I told him he wasn't playing," Francona said, "and he called me a name I can't say." The Sox are exercising an abundance of caution with Pedroia, who is battling a sore right groin and who was still feeling some lingering discomfort yesterday. "We won (Tuesday) and I understand what they're thinking," ..."

No deep concern for Pedroia

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May 12

Boston Globe

"Dustin Pedroia does not worry about his home run total, but for now he can't help notice it. He hit a home run in his first at-bat of the season, a towering drive over the Green Monster. In his next 127 at-bats, Pedroia has hit zero. Pedroia will sit out tonight's game against the Los Angeles Angels with a strained groin, an injury that forced him out of Sunday night's victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. He likely will return tomorrow. When he does, he'll have the same amount of home runs he's had since his second at-bat of the season: one. But the drought, by Pedroia's standards, really isn't one. Pedroia had only one home run after 189 at-bats last season and still managed 17 for the year. ..."

Pedroia suffers strained right groin

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May 11

MLB.com

"The injury bug continues to spread around the Red Sox. The latest casualty was second baseman Dustin Pedroia, the American League's reigning Most Valuable Player, who had to leave Sunday night's 4-3 win over the Rays in the top of the fourth inning with a strained right groin. Fortunately for the Red Sox, the ailment is not considered serious. In fact, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said that Pedroia would sit out Tuesday's game in Anaheim only as a precaution and probably be right back in the lineup on Wednesday. "You know if he comes out, he's hurt because he's a tough kid," Francona said. "He also thinks he can play Tuesday. I don't think that I would do that, just because we're going ..."

Dustin Pedroia tweaks groin, will sit

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May 11

Boston Herald

"Dustin Pedroia will be out until at least Wednesday night's game in Anaheim after aggravating a strained right groin early in last night's 4-3 victory against the Rays. The Red Sox second baseman and reigning AL MVP joins Kevin Youkilis (left side) on the sidelines. Youkilis has been out since May 4, the game against the Yankees in New York that started more than two hours late on a wet, cold evening. Pedroia's injury may have occurred the same night, he said, when he had to get out of the way of a pitch. He thought he had improved until an at-bat last night in the third inning when, after taking a bad swing, he grounded out to Evan Longoria at third base. "My cleat kind of got caught, and ..."

Boston's Pedroia keeps exceeding expectations as MVP

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April 29

Cleveland Plain Dealer

columnist Dennis Manoloff

"Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is an unlikely MVP, at least from the size standpoint. He will not be on the cover of any muscle magazines. Pedroia is listed at 5-9, 180, in the Red Sox media guide. Not so, he said. "I'm 5-8, 165," he insisted from the Boston clubhouse in Progressive Field on Tuesday afternoon. "We had a physical, and that's what I am, 100 percent." Rare is the big-time player who wants to make himself smaller. Pedroia would not mind if everybody thought he was 4-8, because he knows the joke is on the doubters. It has been for years. If Pedroia had a dime for all the times he was told... Well, he does not need the money after signing a six-year contract last ..."

Brett Pedroia pleads guilty to a sex crime

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April 24

Sacramento Bee

"Brett Pedroia pleaded guilty Thursday to one felony count of oral copulation with a minor, according to the Yolo County District Attorney's office. Three other felony counts relating to the 30-year-old Pedroia's alleged activities with the boy were dropped. Brett Pedroia is the brother of Boston Red Sox star second baseman Dustin Pedroia. The alleged acts occurred about four years ago, but the victim only told his parents about them in January, according to Woodland police. The case appeared to ignite his brother's tirade against the town of Woodland as a "dump," according to a story in Boston Magazine."

Dustin Pedroia gets going

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April 18

Boston Herald

"Dustin Pedroia figures he "lined out three or four times" last week in the Red Sox' season-opening series against the Tampa Bay Rays. And when the Red Sox traveled west to play the Los Angeles Angels, "those first couple of games I hit the ball really well and I didn't get many hits." The result? "You look up at the scoreboard and you see you're hitting .170 or whatever it is," Pedroia said. "But in reality, two of those balls fall and I'm hitting .260 and I'm right where I want to be to get started. But that's the way the game goes." If you have some talent, things soon get going the other way. And so it was last night at Fenway Park for Pedroia, who had three hits and a walk in the Red ..."

Pedroia backing off his hometown rant

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April 16

San Francisco Chronicle

"Dustin Pedroia returned to his Northern California roots this week, backpedaling. The Red Sox second baseman is playing down his quotes in a Boston Magazine cover story in which he called his hometown of Woodland a "dump" and Alex Rodriguez a "dork." Ensuing published reports had Pedroia denying the A-Rod slight and implying the Woodland comments were taken out of context, that he was laughing and not serious; that he loves the town and its people. But in the magazine article, which portrays Pedroia as a scrapper who overcame great odds to reach the majors, he says, "It's a dump. You can quote me on that." That is where he was born and raised and where his family runs a tire shop on Main ..."

Youth, inexperience explain Pedroia's plight

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April 14

Sacramento Bee

columnist Paul Gutierrez

"He's played a mere two full seasons in The Show. Already Dustin Pedroia owns a treasure trove of baseball memorabilia. A World Series ring. A Rookie of the Year award. A Gold Glove. A Silver Slugger bat. An MVP plaque. And a featured role in a hilarious video game commercial, co-starring said plaque. His critics, however, add that Pedroia also boasts something darker - a stunning lack of class. It says here, though, that Pedroia actually possesses a more innocent quality - a wide-eyed naiveté inherent in a small-town kid playing and excelling at a boy's game in the fishbowl that is Boston. But I digress. Because sure, Woodland, your initial righteous indignation was warranted in looking ..."

Pedroia called out after crossing home

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April 14

Boston Globe

"Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia may want to wear a flak jacket the next time he visits his family in Woodland, Calif. The reigning American League MVP trashes his hometown in the new issue of Boston magazine, and the locals are livid. In an interview with mag freelancer Tommy Craggs, Pedroia calls Woodland "a dump" and says, "You can quote me on that. I don't give a [expletive]." Not one to mince words, Dustin continues: "Everyone wants to get out of there. You don't want to stay in Woodland. What do you want to stay in Woodland for? The place sucks." (The cause of Pedroia's antipathy isn't clear, but his brother Brett, who lives in Woodland, was charged in January with child ..."

Dustin Pedroia all good with hometown

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April 14

Boston Herald

"A busload of fans from Dustin Pedroia's hometown of Woodland, Calif., made the 1-hour trek to the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum for last night's Red Sox-Athletics game. Apparently, Pedroia will be able to go home again, although a flap generated by Pedroia calling the place "a dump" in Boston Magazine has turned ugly. Police recently arrested 47-year-old Kenneth Samuels after threats were allegedly made in a phone call to the Pedroia family tire business. Since the magazine article came out, Pedroia has said he was only joking about Woodland. "Obviously, I didn't mean that and I like where I grew up," Pedroia said before last night's 8-2 loss to the A's. "I think it was a big ..."

Man arrested after threatening Pedroia family

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April 13

Boston Globe

"According to multiple reports, a California man who made a death threat against the family of Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia was arrested Saturday in Pedroia's hometown of Woodland, Calif. The Woodland Democrat reported that 47-year-old Kenneth Samuels allegedly made multiple phone calls to the Pedroia family business and threatened to shoot and kill the men of the Pedroia family. Those calls were traced and Samuels was subsequently arrested. The reason why Samuels allegedly threatened the Pedroias was not stated by the Woodland police."

Small wonder who got things started

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April 8

Boston Globe

"With any reigning MVP, you can't help but wonder what it's going to be like the next season. Will he sustain the greatness over the course of two seasons? Will he be a Gold Glove winner? Will he still be able to come up with the big hit at the right time? You ask those questions about anyone who wins the award. Dustin Pedroia's season after will be watched like anyone else's, but even more so - because, let's face it, there are those who feel there's no way the little guy comes close to his 2008 season again. Well, let me tell you something. If yesterday was an indication of anything, it's that Pedroia - yes, just one game into the season - remains a force. MVPs provide key moments and key ..."

Dustin's bustin' out Day 1

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April 8

Boston Herald

"Oh, to hear Dustin Pedroia's inner monologue as he rounded the bases in the first inning yesterday. They say the MVP was a fluke? Ask the guy in the Monster seats who just took that rocket off his throat! WHOOO!! Whatever his actual thoughts, Pedroia had every reason to feel the adrenaline. He had just officially begun the defense of his MVP award with a home run on his first swing of the 2009 season, jumpstarting the Red Sox to a 5-3 victory against the Rays. He celebrated in uniquely Pedroia style, nearly knocking monstrous designated hitter David Ortiz onto his back with a forearm shiver of a fist bump. "You saw that?" Ortiz said. "That little midget (expletive)." "He's soft," Pedroia ..."

For Dustin Pedroia, feeding off doubters is easy as M-V-P

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April 6

Boston Herald

columnist Gerry Callahan

"They're nothing but ghosts now, figments of his imagination that he keeps locked up like hostages in the back of his mind. You think he's going to let them go now? After the past two years? As much as any hitting coach, as much as any veteran teammate, they helped Dustin Pedroia get to where he is today, which is only the top of the baseball world. Pedroia is going nowhere for the next 10-12 years, and neither are his ghosts. It would be like seeing Tony La Russa without Dave Duncan or Barry Bonds without Greg Anderson. They are a package deal now, Dustin and his demons, teaming up and taking on the world together. "I know there are still people out there who think I can't play," he said ..."

Dustin Pedroia in lineup

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March 21

Boston Herald

"For the first time since March 1, Dustin Pedroia was part of the Red Sox lineup yesterday. The second baseman left the club at the start of the month to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic. Then, last weekend, he suffered a strained abdominal muscle that forced him from the tournament and sidelined him for three full days. In his first at-bat yesterday, Pedroia grounded out to short, delivering Jacoby Ellsbury from third base with the first Sox run in what would be an 11-4 rout of the Pittsburgh Pirates at City of Palms Park. Leading off the third inning, Pedroia beat out an infield single and took second when Pirates third baseman Andy LaRoche air-mailed his throw into the photo ..."

Pedroia set to dust off spikes

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March 20

Boston Globe

"Dustin Pedroia took batting practice yesterday for the first time since returning from the World Baseball Classic without any pain in his strained left abdominal, clearing the way for his return to spring training games today. Pedroia will receive two at-bats today against the Pirates and then three more Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies after a day off tomorrow, manager Terry Francona said. Pedroia had hit off a tee and took soft toss Wednesday. "I haven't felt it one time since I got back," Pedroia said. "I think the two days that I had off, actually three days that I had off, kind of calmed everything down. Everything's been fine." Pedroia returned from the WBC in Miami Sunday ..."

Dustin Pedroia returns today

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March 20

Boston Herald

"Dustin Pedroia, sidelined recently by an abdominal pull sustained in the World Baseball Classic, took batting practice yesterday without incident and is expected to return to the lineup today for a couple of at-bats against Pittsburgh. "I haven't felt anything," said the second baseman, who hit some soft toss and off a tee Wednesday. "I feel fine. I haven't felt it one time since I got back. I think the three days I had off calmed everything down, and everything's been fine." Pedroia first felt something in his side a week ago today, then experienced "shooting pain" the next day, prior to the first game of the WBC's second round. He immediately returned to the Sox to get checked out. "Once ..."

Dustin Pedroia only has ab strain

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March 16

Boston Herald

"It could have been much, much worse for Dustin Pedroia. The Red Sox feel they dodged a bullet with their second baseman and last year's American League MVP "only" straining an abdominal muscle at the World Baseball Classic on Saturday. Instead of missing up to two months with an pulled oblique muscle, which was originally feared, Pedroia is expected to have plenty of time in the remaining three weeks before Opening Day April 6 to recover. He likely will be shut down for the next 2-3 days to allow the strain to subside before testing it again. He will be eased back into baseball activities as his condition improves. "I don't think it's going to linger. I'll take care of it and get it ready ..."

Dustin Pedroia's out of action

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March 15

Boston Herald

"Dustin Pedroia has played his last game for Team USA. Now the question is: When will he play his next game for the Red Sox? The reigning American League MVP left his World Baseball Classic teammates here late yesterday afternoon after sustaining an injury to his left oblique. Pedroia first felt some soreness in the area while taking batting practice during Team USA's workout Friday, then apparently aggravated it yesterday with one more swing. Pedroia returned to Fort Myers last night and was examined by Red Sox medical director Tom Gill. In a statement released late last night by the team, Pedroia was found to have a minor strain in his lower left abdominal region. While he will be held ..."

Dan Uggla seconds notion

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February 23

Boston Herald

"If there’s a player in the big leagues uniquely qualified to appreciate Dustin Pedroia’s rise to MVP, it’s Dan Uggla. The Marlins second baseman heard plenty of the same knocks that dogged Pedroia through college and the minors - too small, too slow, too limited to be a productive big leaguer. But like Pedroia, Uggla plays well beyond the sum of his parts. He blasted a career-high 32 home runs for Florida last year and made his second All-Star team. Uggla was a surprise participant Friday at the charity softball tournament hosted by Patriots fullback Heath Evans in Jupiter, Fla. While there, Uggla took a few minutes to discuss what he admires about his Red Sox counterpart. “I met him for ..."

All Pedroia, all the time?

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February 20

Boston Globe

"The question was an easy setup, as Terry Francona came over to show a new energy drink to his favorite target, Dustin Pedroia, yesterday morning. The manager was asked whether the second baseman might get a chance to play 162 this season. "One hundred sixty-two what?" Francona quipped. "Cribbage games?" Francona's joking aside, Pedroia expressed a desire to play every day this season. Apparently, he's not quite sure what to do to top winning an MVP trophy. But playing every game would be new to him, at least. "That's part of being consistent," Pedroia said. "If you're out there every day trying to help your team win, that's a big part of what I'm trying to do. [That's] be consistent every ..."

Little chance of Pedroia letdown

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February 16

Boston Globe

columnist Bob Ryan

"He's still short. Dustin Pedroia's still short, but now he's Mr. MVP. In just two full seasons, plus 31 games, he's won a Rookie of the Year, an MVP, and a Gold Glove. Short jokes aren't going to bother Pedroia. He might even give you a few himself. " 'Cause I'm 5-5, 165 pounds," he joked, when asked why he worked so hard in the winter of 2008-09. "I definitely have to put in the extra time. Definitely try to get my legs stronger so I can play 162 games." OK, he's not 5 feet 5 inches, but he's not 5-9, either, no matter what the book says. Five-6 is closer to the truth, and he weighs more than 165. He's strong enough to hit 'em out, as we all know. Forget the size. He plays big. But that's ..."

Little doubt in Dustin Pedroia’s big impact

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February 16

Boston Herald

columnist Steve Buckley

"He already has been named the American League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. He has earned a Gold Glove at second base. And played on a World Series winner. And just so you know, that’s something only seven others have accomplished: Willie Mays, Frank Robinson, Pete Rose, Thurman Munson, Cal Ripken Jr., and Albert Pujols. Any concerns that Dustin Pedroia, at 25, already may have reached the ceiling? It was at this point yesterday morning that Pedroia, gabbing with reporters in front of his locker at the Red Sox [team stats]’ spring training base on outer Edison Avenue, delivered a response that’s going to sound downright symphonic to Sox fans. “I like big ceilings,” Pedroia ..."

Pedroia named to US roster

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December 16

Boston Globe

"The first names are in. Daisuke Matsuzaka will again pitch for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, Dustin Pedroia will represent the United States for the first time, and Josh Beckett will only be taking the ball for the Red Sox. That last news should make manager Terry Francona slightly more comfortable. While Francona said he wasn't worried about the position players on the WBC rosters, it was the pitchers that presented a problem. He cited the issues Mike Timlin faced in 2006 when his participation for the US left him with a tired arm. "[It's] hard to run a good spring training when you have guys gone," Francona said last week at the winter meetings. "For me, it's a nightmare when we ..."