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Dustin Pedroia News & Rumors

Pedroia breaks out in a big way
September 14
Boston Globe
 
"Jacoby Ellsbury might be having a better statistical season, but an argument could be made that as Dustin Pedroia goes, so go the Red Sox. In desperate need of a slump-busting effort - personally and for his team - Pedroia put together the kind of game last night that took care of both. Tim Wakefield might be getting most of the credit today for finally recording career victory No. 200, and rightly so, but it was Pedroia's bat that woke up a Sox team that was picking a dicey time to doze off. Pedroia tied a career-high with five RBIs, hitting two home runs and going 4-for-5 in an 18-6 laugher over Toronto at Fenway Park. Coupled with Tampa Bay's 4-2 loss to Baltimore, Boston's lead in the"
Dustin Pedroia busts out of slump in big fashion
September 14
Boston Herald
 
"Second baseman Dustin Pedroia [stats] posted cleanup power numbers from his customary No.?2 hole in the Red Sox batting order during last night's 18-6 mauling of the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Pedroia broke a stifling 3-for-34 slump with a vengeance that helped secure Tim Wakefield's 200th career victory. Pedroia was 4-for-5 with two home runs, two doubles, five RBI and four runs that helped snap a five-game losing streak. Pedroia enjoyed his third multiple home run game, equaled his career highs for RBI and extra-base hits and set a season high for runs. His second homer put him at 20 on the season as he became the seventh Sox player to notch 20 home runs and 20 or more stolen"
Up north, Pedroia quickly went south
September 9
Boston Globe
 
"When he came up with two men on base and two out in the top of the ninth inning last night against the Blue Jays, Dustin Pedroia wasn't seeking redemption as much as he was seeking a pitch to hit. In his four previous games, Pedroia struggled mightily, going 1 for 18 with three strikeouts. Although he knew his at-bat wasn't going to change any of that, Pedroia was determined to provide the Red Sox a late spark, or go down swinging."
Dustin Pedroia's slump hits entire club
September 9
Boston Herald
 columnist Michael Silverman
"On those rare occasions in a season when Dustin Pedroia enters a slump, they are not hard to miss. His violent swings encounter mostly air and when he does hit the ball, the results tend to be grounders right at defenders or catchable flyballs. It's no different than any other slumps by any other players, but Pedroia's importance to the Red Sox offense tends to make his slump more noticeable. And that is what is going on right now. He has one hit in his last five games, a 1-for-23 spell that, not coincidentally, coincides with the club's own tailspin. "I've pretty much had five (expletive) games — that's basically it," said Pedroia. "I've been swinging the bat like (expletive) for five"
Pitchers take high road in dealing with Pedroia
August 23
Boston Herald
 columnist John Tomase
"Dustin Pedroia [stats] makes his living feasting on high fastballs. The question is how. Rival pitchers have long tried to climb the ladder to a rung he can't reach, but the Red Sox [team stats] second baseman consistently has thwarted them with a swing that may look unorthodox but is actually incredibly efficient at covering every zone of the plate — particularly the one up high. "It seems like guys are tying to hit him in the neck and then he hits a homer," said Sox reliever Matt Albers, who limited Pedroia to a .231 average in their 14 battles in previous seasons. "It's one of those things you can't really teach. You don't know how he gets on top if it, but that's the one he crushes."
Royals fall victim to Pedroia, Red Sox
August 19
Kansas City Star
 
"It was a short-handed collection of Boston Red Sox who arrived Thursday at Kauffman Stadium for the start of a four-game weekend series against the Royals. No David Ortiz. No Kevin Youkilis. A limited Marco Scutaro. So what happens? Dustin Pedroia slipped again into the fourth spot in the lineup and delivered two crucial two-out singles against Luke Hochevar that produced three runs and carried the Red Sox to a 4-3 victory over the Royals. "The two hits I got were actually good pitches," Pedroia said. "They were down in the zone, and the first one jammed me. We just got three two-out hits, but other than that he kept us in check all night." The other hit was Jason Varitek's two-out RBI"
3's company for MVP
August 16
Boston Herald
 
"After watching his team face the Red Sox six times in the past 25 days, Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik has an equitable solution for choosing the American League's MVP. Split the award three ways. With seven weeks remaining in the regular season, it's impossible to identify the top player for the Red Sox, no less the league. Adrian Gonzalez, Jacoby Ellsbury and, most recently, Dustin Pedroia have merited such recognition, and they have done so in their own ways. Gonzalez is the consummate hitter with intelligence and a picture-perfect swing that have been the talk of the league. Ellsbury is the dynamic athlete capable of changing a game with his speed or his emerging"
Dustin Pedroia: No 2nd thoughts
August 16
Boston Herald
 
"Dustin Pedroia is not shy about voicing his opinion on any topic. When the mood strikes him, which is often in the Red Sox clubhouse, he will speak at great length and top volume. But when the 2011 American League MVP comes up, he would like to change the subject. He has an award already. And either of his two worthy teammates this season — Adrian Gonzalez and Jacoby Ellsbury — can have the next one. "I'd vote for Gonzo and Ellsbury — they're having great years, man, from start to finish, they've produced and played great," Pedroia said. "I think either one of them will do, but I think the main goal is to try and win the World Series, and I think if either one of those guys win the MVP and"
Some rest for Pedroia
August 11
Boston Globe
 
"Dustin Pedroia was out of the Red Sox starting lineup last night for the first time in two months. "He needed it,'' manager Terry Francona said before the Sox lost, 5-2, to the Twins with Mike Aviles starting at second base. "I kept telling him the last couple of days that I was going to check with him. He was fighting me on it the last two days. "Then last night after the game, he said, 'Yeah I'm tired.' This will be good for him. He doesn't have the game hanging over his head and he can relax a little bit.''"
Dustin Pedroia takes cover
August 10
Boston Herald
 
"His manager, predictably, ridiculed Dustin Pedroia for landing on the cover of the newest issue of Sports Illustrated, expected to hit newsstands today. "Sports Illustrated for animals?" Terry Francona asked before last night's game against the Twins. "Maybe that will loosen him up a little bit." The cover features Pedroia suspended in midair while turning a double play over a hard slide by the Yankees' Eduardo Nunez last weekend at Fenway Park. The headline reads "Heart of the Red Sox, Dustin Pedroia." The Sox second baseman, who after a slow start has played himself into the AL MVP discussion, downplayed the whole thing. Still, he admitted that being chosen as the cover boy was somewhat"
Pedroia works hard
August 9
Boston Herald
 
"As if grinding through an eight-pitch at-bat and legging out a two-out infield single against Twins closer Joe Nathan in the ninth inning last night wasn't difficult enough, Dustin Pedroia had to deal with a good-natured joke from first-base umpire Tim McClelland. "I hit it soft and ran hard, and I just kept my head down," Pedroia said. "Tim McClelland kind of messed with me, told me it was a foul ball. I almost had a heart attack. He just smiled and told me to stay there." Pedroia's single paved the way for David Ortiz to line the go-ahead single into center field, scoring pinch-runner Darnell McDonald from second base. One batter later, Pedroia scored an insurance run on Jarrod"
Dustin Pedroia demonstrates heart again with game-tying sacrifice fly in Red Sox win over Yankees
August 8
New York Daily News
 
"Put Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia on the streets of any city but Boston or New York and there's a good chance he'd seem like just any other guy. At 5-9, 175 pounds and with a constant day or two of beard growth, you'd never pick him out as the heart and soul on one of baseball's best teams. "To play the game you don't need to have height. You need to have heart," Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano said. "Sometimes people are wrong. A lot in baseball is judging people by their body. You need to have so much more. It's not the most important thing." Cano got another up-close look at that heart when Pedroia hit the game-tying sacrifice fly in the ninth inning Sunday night before"
Dustin Pedroia named AL Player of the Month
August 4
Boston Globe
 
"Dustin Pedroia was named American League Player of the Month today after batting .411 (46-for-112) in July. It was the first time in his career the Red Sox second baseman earned the monthly honor. Pedroia, who had a career-high 25-game hitting streak from June 29 to July 28, had nine doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 22 RBIs and 27 runs scored in 26 games during July."
Pedroia is spot on in Sox win
July 27
Boston Globe
 
"In the pantheon of baseball stereotypes, the cleanup hitter is readily identifiable. He is supposed to be a big guy, a muscle-bound slugger with a mean glare and malice in his heart. Prince Fielder hits cleanup. Ryan Howard fits the profile almost exactly, as does Alex Rodriguez. To hit Dustin Pedroia cleanup goes against convention. The second baseman is listed at 5 feet 9 inches, 180 pounds and that is being polite. Line up the 25 Red Sox and he might be the last player you'd select to hit fourth based on appearance."
Dustin Pedroia impressive when batting 4th
July 27
Boston Herald
 
"Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia has a penchant for leaving the yard whenever manager Terry Francona inserts him into the cleanup spot. Pedroia smacked everything but a round-tripper while extending his hitting streak to 23 games in a 13-9 Red Sox victory over the Kansas City Royals in a madcap affair last night at Fenway Park. Pedroia was the cleanup hitter in place of Kevin Youkilis (hamstring) and went 4-for-5 with a walk, a triple, a double, two singles, three runs and an RBI. Pedroia has hit in the No. 4 spot seven times in his career, including three times this season, and his cleanup numbers are incredible. Pedroia is 17-for-31 (.548) and he hit a home run in his previous four"
He grabs games in the clutch
July 19
Boston Globe
 
"The Red Sox' butts were dragging. No way around it. Nobody felt like walking in the severe heat and humidity here, let alone play in it. After 16 innings of grueling, exhausting baseball the night before at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., and an arrival here at 6 yesterday morning, show time came fast. And the player who always seems ready to take responsibility is Dustin Pedroia."
Sox run on Dustin
July 19
Boston Herald
 
"After the 16-inning marathon that started Sunday night and didn't end until the wee hours yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla., the Red Sox could've mainlined caffeine all day and still lacked the vigor to play well against even the sad-sack Orioles here last night. But at least they had the Human Energy Drink. If Dustin Pedroia felt like he was dragging on a typically steamy summer night at Camden Yards, he concealed it by notching two more hits, including a tiebreaking two-run double in the decisive, eight-run eighth inning of a 15-10 victory. And although it is hardly a revelation anymore that Pedroia's motor never stops running, it also never ceases to impress, especially considering the"
Dustin Pedroia singles in lone run as Boston Red Sox win 16-inning marathon against Tampa Bay Rays 1-0
July 18
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Sean Rodriguez's eighth-inning foul popup that broke a stadium light and sent glass cascading onto the field was a sign it was going to be an unusual game Sunday that featured all zeroes until after 1:30 a.m. So too was a wild 11th inning featuring three ejections that left the Rays operating, manager Joe Maddon said later, by "Politburo." Maddon was tossed during a pitching change as he continued to complain about a call, a red-clad fan for running onto the field, and Rays bench coach Dave Martinez for objecting to Marco Scutaro's dangerous bat fling after making the third out after the Sox loaded the bases on walks. But that was all just the preamble for what was left of the Tropicana"
Healthy Pedey powers up
July 17
Boston Herald
 
"On June 9, Dustin Pedroia was absent from the Red Sox' lineup for the finale of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. He had returned to Boston to have his balky right knee examined in a state-of-the-art procedure conducted by team physician Dr. Tom Gill. Cue the hysteria. But Pedroia received the reassurance he needed that his knee problem wouldn't worsen if he continued to play. He hasn't missed a game since, and including his opposite-field home run in the seventh inning yesterday, he has been the Red Sox' hottest hitter. In 30 games since getting his knee checked, Pedroia is batting .375 (45-for-120) with nine homers, 24 RBI, 31 runs scored, 20 extra-base hits, a .469 on-base"
Dustin Pedroia all 4 new role
July 6
Boston Herald
 
"Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia likes performing cleanup duty in periodic doses. Pedroia was dropped two places in the Red Sox batting order last night, hitting fourth for the second time this season. He's been handed the cleanup role six times in his career and he's delivered a deep ball on the last four occasions. Pedroia got around on a 1-2 pitch from Toronto left-hander Brett Cecil and launched it over the left field wall for his eighth home run of the season. The solo blast in the third inning proved to be the game-winner for the Red Sox in a 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays in the middle match of a three-game series at Fenway Park. "He just did what a 4-hole hitter is supposed to"
Pedroia dodges heat
June 27
Boston Herald
 
"Each of Dustin Pedroia's first three at-bats in yesterday's 4-2 Red Sox victory began the same way: With high-and-tight fastballs from Pirates starter James McDonald. On the third occasion, the Sox second baseman shouted out at the mound. "It's baseball," Pedroia said. "When you rake, that happens sometimes. It isn't a surprise. Next question." And when it happens, teams tend to retaliate. Sure enough, in the sixth inning, Sox starter Andrew Miller came close to hitting the foot of Pirates catcher Eric Fryer, prompting home plate umpire Greg Gibson to issue warnings to both dugouts. Pedroia went 4-for-13 with two walks in the series. McDonald is the first cousin of Red Sox outfielder"
Dustin Pedroia's shining 'D'
June 18
Boston Herald
 
"On a night when the Red Sox pounded their way to a 10-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, a defensive play early served as a game-changer. The Brewers were in the midst of a third-inning rally, with four straight singles cutting the Sox lead to 4-3. There were no outs and Sox starter John Lackey was in need of some major help. Enter Dustin Pedroia. Casey McGehee smashed a rocket to Pedroia's left that the second baseman dove to snare on one hop. Pedroia wheeled and threw to second from his knees to start a double play. A run scored, but Lackey settled down. He retired 15 straight batters and the Sox pulled away for the easy win at Fenway Park."
Dustin Pedroia: Just keeping his eyes on the ball
June 13
Boston Herald
 
"Red Sox fun pack Dustin Pedroia said don't read too much into that thing he does with his eyes before he steps up to the plate. "My eyes always water and I clear them to make sure that the I can see the ball good," Pedie told the Track. That's it? It's not some superstitious ritual like former Sox slugger Nomar Garciaparra's unstrap- restrap-unstrap-restrap batting gloves routine? "Nah, it's not like what he does," said the infielder, who we caught up with on the set of his Vita Coco TV shoot on Boston Common. "There was a whole lot of things going on there. I'm just trying to clear my eyes and unleash the fury." And, of course, the Laser Show . . . OK, so Pedroia's not OCD, but maybe he's"
Dustin Pedroia benefits from procedure
June 11
Boston Herald
 
"A cutting-edge medical procedure which determined Thursday that Dustin Pedroia did not need knee surgery marked the first time that VisionScope technology, developed by Red Sox team medical director Dr. Tom Gill, was used on a professional athlete. The technique involves inserting a miniature, high-definition camera into a needle that is then inserted into a joint (such as a knee, elbow, shoulder, ankle) and manipulated to inspect any damage. In Pedroia's case, he, his agent and Gill watched on a TV screen in the office as the camera revealed a very small piece of cartilage behind the kneecap that was more an annoyance than a chief contributor to his recent discomfort. The camera revealed"
Terry Francona expects Dustin Pedroia to play tonight
June 10
Boston Herald
 
"As Terry Francona sat down for his pregame media briefing yesterday at Yankee Stadium, second baseman Dustin Pedroia was about to enter a 4:30 p.m. appointment to have his balky right knee examined by doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital. The Red Sox manager already felt confident in the results. "I fully expect him to be hitting second (tonight)," Francona said. "I don't think he's going to miss any time. I think he's going to play (tonight). I'll be surprised if it's something different." Turns out, it wasn't merely wishful thinking. Pedroia was diagnosed with a bone bruise to the right kneecap and isn't expected to require surgery. He will rejoin the team today in Toronto. Pedroia"
Boston Red Sox optimistic about health of second baseman Dustin Pedroia after knee exam
June 10
New York Daily News
 
"While the Yankees were looking at a full-blown injury crisis in the form of Joba Chamberlain's pending elbow surgery, the Red Sox were crossing their fingers about avoiding a potential one of their own. Dustin Pedroia, their second baseman and No. 2 hitter in the lineup, took the train back to Boston Thursday morning and underwent a late afternoon examination of his troublesome right knee. The Sox might have waited until after the finale of the critical series with the Yankees, but Pedroia raised concerns about it. Boston manager Terry Francona was keeping an optimistic outlook, saying "I fully expect he'll be hitting second tomorrow (against the Blue Jays). I don't think he's going to"
Pedroia's checkup is OK
June 10
Boston Globe
 
"Dustin Pedroia was not with the Red Sox for last night's 8-3 victory at Yankee Stadium, because he returned to get his sore right knee checked out in Boston. The second baseman was found to have only a bone bruise on his kneecap and could return to the lineup in Toronto tonight. Pedroia had what manager Terry Francona called a "very minimally invasive'' procedure done by team medical director Tom Gill to determine the extent of his cartilage damage. The Red Sox have a day off Monday, but Francona said the examination was done yesterday at Massachusetts General Hospital because Pedroia complained about the pain. "It got to the point the other night where it was starting to grab at him a"
Pedroia may need knee surgery
June 9
New York Post
 
"The Red Sox might be losing one of their most valuable players. According to the Boston Globe, Dustin Pedroia is heading to Boston today for an examination of his right knee, which might need surgery. "It could keep me out a month," the star second baseman told the Globe. "It's not what I want. But I have to get it checked out. It's been bothering me a lot." The second baseman has struggled this season, but is considered one of Boston's emotional leaders. According to the report, Pedroia's knee has been hurting since May 16 against Baltimore. He also was limited to just 75 games last year because of injuries."
Dustin Pedroia returning to Boston tomorrow; knee surgery possible
June 9
Boston Globe
 
"Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia will return to Boston tomorrow to have his right knee examined and is facing the possibility of surgery that would sideline him for at least a month. Pedroia was injured May 16 when he fell on his knee fielding a ball against the Orioles. He described the procedure, which will be done at Massachusetts General Hospital, as a "needle with a camera on it" that will determine the extent of the damage. If necessary, Pedroia then would have the surgery immediately. "It could keep me out a month," he said. "It's not what I want. But I have to get it checked out. It's been bothering me a lot." Pedroia's lack of production at the plate is likely attributable to"
Knee look-see for Dustin Pedroia
June 9
Boston Herald
 
"Tempering the Red Sox' enthusiasm from their sixth consecutive win over the Yankees last night, second baseman Dustin Pedroia will return to Boston today to have his balky right knee examined by club Dr. Tom Gill. For now, the Sox are optimistic Pedroia won't require surgery. Pedroia's knee has been bothering him since the middle of last month, a team source confirmed last night. He has struggled at the plate, batting only .247 with a .338 on-base percentage. According to one report, Pedroia suggested he may undergo an arthroscopic procedure to determine the severity of the injury and could be sidelined for a month. But two team sources said there aren't any plans for such a procedure."
Pedroia to have right knee examined
June 9
Boston Globe
 
"Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia will return to Boston today to have his right knee examined and is facing the possibility of surgery that would sideline him for at least a month. Pedroia was injured on the first play of the game May 16 when the Orioles' Brian Roberts hit a ball off the chest of Daisuke Matsuzaka. Pedroia fielded the ball and landed on his knee. "I banged it hard and it has been bothering me ever since,'' he said. He described the procedure, which will be done at Massachusetts General Hospital, as a "needle with a camera on it'' that will determine the extent of the damage. If necessary, Pedroia then would have the surgery immediately. "It could keep me out a month,''"
Did Dustin Pedroia tag out Juan Pierre?
June 2
Boston Globe
 
"The Red Sox caught White Sox outfielder Juan Pierre in a rundown in the fifth inning of today's game, and Globe photographer Barry Chin caught the play with his camera. Umpire Marty Foster ruled Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia missed the tag and Pierre was safe at second, which prompted protests from Pedroia and Red Sox manager Terry Francona. One of four frames Chin shot appears in full above, and we've made a three-frame sequence out of the play below. Video replays were difficult to interpret because none had a decisive angle on the play."
Pedroia central figure in controversial 5th inning plays
June 2
Boston Herald
 
"If the Red Sox could arrange for all 27 outs to be hit to Dustin Pedroia, they'd take that every day of the week. The second baseman is valuable because he's so multi-dimensional, as the Gold Glove he won alongside his MVP and Silver Slugger in 2008 attests. Yesterday, however, he was involved in a trio of fifth-inning defensive plays that ended up playing a pivotal role in the White Sox escaping Fenway Park with a 7-4 victory and series sweep. The plays fell into three categories: a great effort that fell just a little short, a double play he'd probably like to have back, and a tag the umpire likely got wrong. It all started with no outs, the Sox leading 3-1, and Ramon Castro on first via"
Dustin Pedroia dives in
May 26
Boston Herald
 
"It took only five pitches for Dustin Pedroia to dispel any lingering concerns about his left ankle. Pedroia twisted his ankle Monday night and briefly lost feeling in his surgically repaired left foot when he stumbled around second base in the eighth inning. But after not playing Tuesday night, he blasted a two-run homer yesterday to kick-start the Red Sox' seven-run first inning in a 14-2 rout of the Indians. "It's nice," Pedroia said. "I got to take care of my foot for a day and some other things that have been bugging me, so it was nice." Pedroia said he has been "managing a lot more" bumps and bruises this season. In particular, he has had to care for his troublesome foot into which a"
Pedroia 'a little sore' but doing better
May 25
Boston Globe
 
""I'm a little sore," Dustin Pedroia said this afternoon after giving Rich Hill a savage beating in Nintendo RBI Baseball. "But I'm OK." Pedroia left last night's game in the 8th inning after slipping on second base and aggravating his surgically repaired left foot. A numbing sensation persisted for several minutes, the result of jarring the steel screw he had inserted into his broken navicular bone last August. He is out of the lineup today but expects to play tomorrow."
Pedroia's injury considered minor
May 24
Boston Globe
 
"For a few moments last night, the Red Sox thought they had lost Dustin Pedroia to a serious injury. Pedroia slipped while rounding second base in the eighth inning of last night's 3-2 loss against the Indians and fell face-first on the rain-soaked infield at Progressive Field. Pedroia did not immediately try to get up. He struggled to his feet, then left the game escorted by a trainer, walking cautiously."
Pedroia OK after scare
May 24
Boston Herald
 
"Dustin Pedroia apparently suffered nothing worse than a twisted left ankle and a briefly numb leg after slipping on a wet second base in the eighth inning of last night's 3-2 Red Sox loss to the Cleveland Indians. Pedroia was going to be given tonight off anyway, manager Terry Francona said, so unless the second baseman encounters an unexpected setback or the ankle injury is worse than is currently believed, he's expected to be back in the lineup for tomorrow's series finale at Progressive Field. Immediately after the injury, Pedroia lay on the infield as Sox personnel rushed out to see what had happened. Because the team's No.?2 hitter broke his left foot last July and still has a"
Pedroia to remain in 2-hole
May 8
Boston Herald
 
"Last month, when Carl Crawford was mired in the worst slump he could recall, manager Terry Francona dropped him in the Red Sox [team stats] lineup in order to relieve some of the pressure on the $142 million left fielder. But Francona hasn't taken the same approach with Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia, who had six hits in his previous 53 at-bats entering yesterday's game against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park, remained in his familiar No. 2 spot, where he has batted throughout the majority of his career. The second baseman delivered a single in the seventh inning and finished 1-for-4, leaving his average at .236 following the 4-0 Sox victory. "I like to leave him where he is," Francona said."
Dustin Pedroia's lengthy at-bat sparks Red Sox to win
May 3
Boston Herald
 
"Dustin Pedroia fouled off nine pitches in a 13-pitch at-bat against Jered Weaver before lining a go-ahead, two-run single that helped the Boston Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-5 on Monday night. The loss was Weaver's first of the season. Weaver (6-1) scratched Sunday due to a stomach virus, gave up three runs, six hits, struck out six and walked one over six innings. He failed to become the first pitcher since 1891 to go 7-0 by May 2 or sooner. Sadie McMahon of the Baltimore Orioles from the American Association was the last to open 7-0 by the second day of May. Adrian Gonzalez had a three-run double and Clay Buchholz (2-3) pitched 6 2-3 solid innings for the win. It was Boston's"
Pedroia's one tough act
May 3
Boston Herald
 
"Dustin Pedroia won Rookie of the Year in 2007. He topped that with an MVP in 2008. He was an All-Star in 2009 and '10. So it's saying something that he might be playing the best baseball of his career right now. It reveals itself not in the stats (Pedroia's hitting just .264), but in the moments, like during the fifth inning of last night's 9-5 victory against the Angels, when Pedroia won the game within the game against Jered Weaver, and the Red Sox followed suit. Pedroia worked the best pitcher in baseball for 13 grueling pitches before lining a two-run single to center that gave the Sox a 3-2 lead they never relinquished. "Just two guys with unbelievably strong wills, and neither one of"
Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia miscue hurts
April 28
Boston Herald
 
"Of all the reasons for the Red Sox' 5-4 loss to the Orioles last night, the play on which a fly ball fell behind second baseman Dustin Pedroia and in front of center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury in the fourth inning was the most avoidable. Derrek Lee lofted a fly ball that sent Pedroia backpedaling. After initially breaking back on the ball, Ellsbury broke in on it but was unable to close the gap. Pedroia also came up short. Outfielders typically are supposed to take command on those plays, but there appeared to be no communication between the two fielders. Neither Ellsbury nor Pedroia touched the ball, so it went in the book as a double, and Lee went on to score the first of three runs in the"
Pedroia was a showstopper
April 23
Boston Globe
 columnist Dan Shaughnessy
"He says his hair is coming back. He says he and his college teammates invented the "Laser Show'' while taking batting practice at Arizona State. He says he knows what it's like to be Jarrod Saltalamacchia, struggling out of the gate while people whisper that you're no good. Dustin Pedroia will say just about anything if you talk to him long enough. And in this goofy, underachieving Red Sox April of 2011, he has emerged as the team's de facto captain, a guy who can take over a baseball game without hitting a ball as far as the warning track. Pedroia submitted a hardball tour de force in the Red Sox' 11-inning, 4-2 victory at the Big A Thursday night. While New England slept, Pedroia reached"
Pedroia's spark has lit a fire
April 11
Boston Globe
 
"Robinson Cano might be the better hitter and have more range at second base. There may be second basemen, such as Dan Uggla, who will hit more home runs. But at the end of the day, who can you count on the most? Who is the one you call a "ballplayer?'' It's Dustin Pedroia. The Red Sox take on his energy and persona. He swings hard, plays hard, fields hard, and if you can't feed off his energy, then you have no pulse."
Dustin Pedroia one bright spot
April 10
Boston Herald
 
"Second baseman Dustin Pedroia refuses to be dragged down by the Red Sox' April swoon. The club dropped to 1-7 with yesterday's 9-4 mashing by the Yankees at Fenway Park. While New York was scoring with frequency, Pedroia tried his best to keep the Sox close with three doubles and two RBI. He provided the 37,488 fans there an excuse not to vacate early. Batting second, Pedroia went 3-for-4 with a run scored. He is 6-for-9 with a home run, three doubles, five RBI and three runs scored in the first two games of this series, which concludes tonight. "Six hits in the last two games," Pedroia said when asked if he's seeing the ball well. "Their offense, they swing the bat great and they have got"
Spark plug ignites Red Sox
April 9
Boston Herald
 
"Somebody was going to put an end to the nonsense. Somebody was going to step up, look the Red Sox' six-game losing streak in the face, utter an obscenity and shove it out of the way. Nobody can be shocked that Dustin Pedroia was that guy. In the Red Sox' 9-6 victory yesterday over the Yankees, Pedroia's sweat, eyeblack, pine-tar and dirt-smeared fingerprints were all over the first win of the season. It's wheels-up, finally, on the Red Sox' 2011 season and there was Pedroia, pumping air under their wings. A solo home run in the first, a two-run go-ahead single in the second, a perfect wide slide at home plate in the second, a key pivot in an inning-ending double play in the sixth — Pedroia"
Pedroia awaits removing day
April 8
Boston Globe
 
"Dustin Pedroia is comfortable enough to play the remainder of the season. But the Red Sox second baseman said yesterday that he plans to have the stainless steel screw in his left foot removed once the team has played its final game. "I'm good to go right now,'' he said. "I'll find a way to get through this year and right after the last game it's coming out. It's kind of annoying.'' Pedroia had surgery in August to repair a broken navicular bone. The screw expedited the healing and assured he would be ready to play this season. But there is still discomfort. "Sometimes I can feel it just walking around,'' Pedroia said. "It's on the side of my foot and I can feel it when I wear dress shoes"
Pedroia good to go for now
April 8
Boston Globe
 
"Dustin Pedroia is comfortable enough to play the remainder of the season. But the Red Sox second baseman said yesterday that he plans to have the stainless steel screw in his left foot removed once the team has played its final game. "I'm good to go right now,'' he said. "I'll find a way to get through this year and right after the last game it's coming out. It's kind of annoying.'' Pedroia had surgery in August to repair a broken navicular bone. The screw expedited the healing and assured he would be ready to play this season. But there is still discomfort. "Sometimes I can feel it just walking around,'' Pedroia said. "It's on the side of my foot and I can feel it when I wear dress shoes"
Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury top hits on jerseys list
March 24
Boston Herald
 
"Two Red Sox players cracked Major League Baseball's top 20 best-selling jerseys list for last season. Second baseman and former MVP Dustin Pedroia scored the eighth spot while center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury hit into the 16th spot — despite the players' lengthy stretches on the disabled list. Sox fans may be distressed to learn that three New York Yankees players also made the list — including Derek Jeter, who had the top-selling jersey, Alex Rodriguez, who came in ninth, and Mark Teixeira, who ranked 11th."
Papelbon is still closing in
March 18
Boston Globe
 
"The Red Sox led the Mets, 8-1, yesterday in the top of the ninth inning. Jonathan Papelbon had two outs and a runner on first base. The green-clad fans were walking (some unsteadily) for the exits at City of Palms Park, a successful celebration of St. Patrick's Day in their wake. Then came a walk. Then another walk, followed by a three-run double. Then another double and suddenly Papelbon had been pulled from a game for the second time in a week. The four-run outburst left Papelbon with an unseemly 12.60 earned run average in six games this spring, all of the damage coming in two games."