Dustin Pedroia
| Dustin Pedroia | |||
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Dustin Pedroia playing for the Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles, August 14, 2012 | |||
Boston Red Sox – No. 15 | |||
| Second baseman | |||
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Born: August 17, 1983 Woodland, California | |||
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MLB debut | |||
| August 22, 2006 for the Boston Red Sox | |||
Career statistics (through April 29, 2015) | |||
| Batting average | .299 | ||
| Hits | 1,396 | ||
| Doubles | 324 | ||
| Home runs | 110 | ||
| Runs batted in | 556 | ||
| On-base percentage | .366 | ||
Teams | |||
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Career highlights and awards | |||
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| Medal record | ||
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| Baseball | ||
Competitor for  United States
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| Pan American Games | ||
| Silver | Santo Domingo 2003 | National team |
Dustin Luis Pedroia (born August 17, 1983) is an American baseball second baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). Pedroia was drafted by the Red Sox in 2004, making his major league debut in 2006 before becoming a full-time player in the 2007 season, and winning the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year award. He is a four-time All-Star and an AL MVP award winner, and has contributed to two World Series championships. Pedroia remains under contract with the Red Sox until 2021.
An above-average contact hitter with a very low strikeout rate and "a surprising amount of power" for his size, Pedroia has a career batting average of .299, a 9.2 percent strikeout rate and .145 isolated power.[1] He has won four Gold Gloves, and his defense at second base has been rated significantly above-average.[2] Pedroia has achieved Major League success despite a relative lack of height − his height is reported to be 5 ft 7 in or 5 ft 8 in (170–173 cm).[3][4][5]
Early baseball career
High school and collegiate career
Pedroia attended Woodland High School in Woodland, California, batting .445 in his senior year, and was chosen as his league's most valuable player.
Pedroia attended Arizona State University (ASU), where he played college baseball for the Arizona State Sun Devils baseball team. He was teammates with Ian Kinsler and Andre Ethier. Kinsler and Pedroia competed for the shortstop position at ASU. Ultimately, Pedroia stayed at shortstop, while Kinsler ended up at second base before transferring to the University of Missouri. In three years at ASU, Pedroia never hit below .347 and had a career average of .384, starting all 185 games. To help ASU recruit better pitchers, Pedroia also relinquished the last two years of his athletic scholarship.[6] He was named ASU On Deck Circle Most Valuable Player; other winners have included Ike Davis, Willie Bloomquist, Paul Lo Duca, and Barry Bonds.[7]
Minor leagues
Pedroia was drafted by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft, with the 65th pick overall. Pedroia, the eighth shortstop drafted, received a $575,000 signing bonus.[6]
In two years in the minors (2004–06), Pedroia batted .308 while playing second base and shortstop.
Major leagues
2006–2008: initial contract, Rookie of the Year and MVP
Pedroia became the regular second baseman for the Red Sox in 2007 replacing Mark Loretta. Pedroia suffered through an early-season hitting slump, but recovered, later putting up a 13-game hitting streak and a five-hit game against the Giants.[8] He notably made a diving stop to preserve fellow rookie Clay Buchholz's no-hitter on September 1.[9] Pedroia won the AL Rookie of the Year award and was selected to the 2007 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team.[10][11]
The Red Sox played the Indians in the 2007 ALCS. In Game 7 of the series, Pedroia homered and doubled, collecting five RBI to secure the Red Sox' spot in the World Series, to face the Rockies. Pedroia homered in the first at bat of the series, making him only the second player, and the first rookie, to lead off the Series with a home run.[12]
2008
Pedroia performed very well during the 2008 regular season, and received AL MVP, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.[13][14][15] He hit .326 with 17 homers over 726 PAs, for a 127 wRC+.[16] Pedroia was defensively great, making only six errors through 157 games,[17][18] saving +9.7 runs over the season, according to UZR.[2] 2008 was also Pedroia's most productive season on the basepaths; he stole 20 bases in 21 attempts, for baserunning worth 4.9 runs above average.[16][19]
Pedroia's contribution in the regular season was rated 6.5 WAR by Fangraphs, a "superstar" level of performance.[16][20] He became only the third player in MLB history to win Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in consecutive seasons joining Cal Ripken Jr. and Ryan Howard.
Pedroia was hitless through the first three games of the 2008 ALDS, recording only an RBI double in Game 4. The Red Sox defeated the Angels in four games. In the ALCS against the Tampa Bay Rays, Pedroia collected 9 hits in 26 plate appearances, including three home runs and a double. The rest of the team struggled to a .234 batting average against the Tampa pitching staff, and the Red Sox lost the series.
2009–2013: first extension, injury-hit 2010, 2013 championship
On December 3, 2008, Pedroia signed a six-year contract extension worth $40.5 million, with an additional team option for 2015 worth $11 million.[21]
Pedroia announced on December 15, 2008 that he would play for the United States team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He recorded the first Major League hit in Citi Field history during an April 3 exhibition game against the Mets. He hit a home run in his first at bat of the 2009 season.
Pedroia was selected to start for the 2009 AL All Star Team. However, Pedroia had to withdraw from the team to stay with his wife Kelli, who was experiencing pregnancy complications with the couple's first child. The same issue had caused him to miss a regular season game prior to the All Star break.
Pedroia achieved his first multi-home run game on September 9, 2009, against the Orioles.
2010
In 2010, MLB umpire Joe West made controversial statements regarding the speed of play between the Red Sox and Yankees, Pedroia responded by saying, "What he doesn't understand is that when we don't do well in these games against the Yankees, we get killed. If he doesn't want to do Red Sox and Yankee games, he should tell the umpires' union. Then when we're in the World Series, he'll be out of that assignment, too."[22][23]
On June 24, 2010, Pedroia went 5 for 5, with 5 RBI, and hit three home runs in a game against the Rockies that the Red Sox won, 13–11, in the tenth inning.[24] The next day, Pedroia fouled a ball off his foot in an at-bat versus the Giants. MRI results the next day confirmed that he had a broken bone in his foot, and he was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Pedroia was under doctor's orders not to put weight on his injured foot for two weeks, but continued to practice fielding grounders while on his knees.[25]
Pedroia was named to be a reserve player on the 2010 AL All Star team, but did not participate due to this injury, and had former Arizona State teammate Ian Kinsler replace him on the roster. Pedroia returned to the lineup on August 17 against the Angels, only to be put back on the DL after playing 2 games. Pedroia would end the 2010 season having played only 75 games.[16]
2011
In 2011, Pedroia bounced back, batting .307 and slugging 21 home runs over 159 games. He won a Fielding Bible Award in 2011 as the best fielding second baseman in MLB,[26] and had his best defensive season by ultimate zone rating, with 18.1 runs saved.[2] In June and July, Pedroia had a 25-game hitting streak, the longest for a Red Sox second baseman.[27] On August 16, Pedroia was involved in throwing a triple play, started by Jed Lowrie. Pedroia's 2011 season was rated at 7.6 Wins Above Replacement by Fangraphs, an "MVP-caliber" performance.[16][20]
2012
On September 30, 2012, Pedroia broke his ring finger on his left hand but after being reassured that the injury would not degrade with use, he made the decision to play through the pain in the following season-ending series at Yankee Stadium.[28]
2013
On July 23, 2013, Pedroia and the Red Sox agreed to an 8-year extension worth $110 million.[29] Pedroia was represented in negotiations by Sam Levinson and Seth Levinson of ACES Inc.
Pedroia bounced back from his injury-affected 2012 season to become the only player on the Red Sox to play more than 150 games during the team's 2013 season.[30] Pedroia posted a strong regular season performance, and was awarded his third Gold Glove, and the Wilson AL Defensive Player of the Year award.[14][16][31] The Red Sox won their division and went on to win the World Series.
In November 2013, Pedroia underwent thumb surgery to repair a torn UCL, an injury he suffered when sliding to first base on opening day.[32]
2014–present: second extension
In May 2014, Pedroia hit his 100th career home run and his 300th career double. Pedroia hit only four home runs before the 2014 All Star break, and his hitting productivity dropped to league average.[16][33] However, his fielding numbers remained strong.[2][17] For his defensive performance, Pedroia was honored with the American League Gold Glove award at second base, his fourth in his nine year career. This made him the first Red Sox infielder to win four Gold Gloves.[34]
2015
Pedroia began the 2015 MLB season with two home runs in the Red Sox opening game, on the road at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia.[35]
Controversy
In an interview given to Boston, Pedroia criticized his home town of Woodland, California, calling it a "dump" and a city which never embraced him.[36] This generated backlash from his hometown and his family received death threats.[37] Pedroia later clarified his comments saying he was only joking and his comments were taken out of context.[38]
Awards and distinctions
- 2004 Golden Spikes Award Finalist
- 2004 First-Team Baseball America and USA Today All-American
- 2003 Pac-10 Co-Player of the Year
- 2003 NCAA Defensive Player of the Year
- Red Sox ML Base Runner of the Month (April 2005)
- Red Sox Minor League "Quality Plate Appearances" Award (June 2005)
- 2005 Post-Season Eastern League All-Star
- 2005 Minor League Player of the Year.
- 2005 Red Sox Minor League Offensive Player of the Year
- 2005 Minor League News MLN FAB50 Baseball 2005 – No. 45
- 2006 Minor League News MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006 – No. 23
- 2007 American League Rookie of the Month-May
- 2007 American League Player of the Week (May 28 – June 3)
- 2007 Players Choice American League Outstanding Rookie
- 2007 World Series Champion (Boston Red Sox)
- 2007 American League Rookie of the Year
- 2008 American League All-Star Starter
- 2008 American League Gold Glove Winner
- 2008 American League Silver Slugger award
- 2008 American League Most Valuable Player Award
- 2009 American League All-Star Starter
- 2010 American League All-Star Reserve
- 2011 Fielding Bible Award
- 2011 American League Gold Glove Winner
- 2013 American League All-Star Reserve
- 2013 American League Gold Glove Winner
- 2013 Heart & Hustle Award Winner
- 2013 World Series Champion (Boston Red Sox)
- 2014 American League Gold Glove Winner
Personal life
Pedroia has garnered multiple nicknames during his time in Boston, these include: Pedey, Laser Show, Dinky Pedinky, and the Muddy Chicken.[39] Pedroia is of Swiss Italian (Brione s/Minusio, Canton Ticino) and Portuguese heritage. He is the nephew of Temple University defensive coordinator Phil Snow.[40]
On January 9, 2009, Pedroia was named as the cover athlete of the baseball video game MLB 09: The Show, and appeared in several commercials for the game.
On August 18, 2009, Dustin's wife Kelli gave birth to the couple's first child, a boy named Dylan.[41] On September 13, 2012, Dustin's wife Kelli delivered their second son, Cole.[42] On June 13, 2014, Dustin's wife Kelli delivered the couple's third son, Brooks. Dustin Pedroia is a fan of the NBA's Sacramento Kings, and the NFL's San Francisco 49ers.
Pedroia has expressed an interest in bigfoot, including tweeting about the show Finding Bigfoot from his Twitter account.[43][44]
Pedroia enjoys playing the game cribbage. He and former manager Terry Francona used to play together. [45][46]
See also
References
- ↑ Ashbourne, Nick (July 25, 2014). "Should Dustin Pedroia's bat be feared?". Beyond the Box Score. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Dustin Pedroia; Advanced Fielding". Fangraphs. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ↑ "The tall and short of college baseball stars". USA Today. February 27, 2003. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ↑ "Dustin Pedroia ASU". ASU Baseball. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ↑ Dustin Pedroia
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Hohler, Bob (2008-09-28). "Most valuable half-pint". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
- ↑ "#1 in College Sports". CSTV.com. May 27, 2008. Retrieved May 14, 2010.
- ↑ Speier, Alex (July 12, 2011). "We've seen this before from Dustin Pedroia". WEEI.com. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ↑ "2B Pedroia makes the play that made the no-hitter possible.". boston.com. Archived from the original on October 24, 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ↑ Dustin Pedroia wins 2007 American League Rookie of the Year Award from Baseball Writers Association of America
- ↑ "Topps announces the 49th annual Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team". MLB.com. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ↑ Klingaman, Mike (October 24, 2013). "Catching Up With... Don Buford". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ↑ "2008 AL MVP". BBWAA.com. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Rawlings Gold Glove award winners". MLB.com. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ↑ Browne, Ian (November 13, 2008). "Pedroia wins Silver Slugger Award". MLB.com. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 "Dustin Pedroia". Fangraphs. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 "UZR". Fangraphs. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ↑ "Dustin Pedroia; Fielding". Fangraphs. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ↑ "Dustin Pedroia; Standard". Fangraphs. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 "What is WAR?". Fangraphs. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ↑ "Red Sox sign Pedroia to $40.5M extension". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-12-03.
- ↑ "West: Rivals' slow play 'embarrassing'". ESPN.com. April 9, 2010. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ↑ Francona calls comments 'troubling' ESPN
- ↑ Benjamin, Amalie (2010-06-25). "Pedroia Rescues Red Sox". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
- ↑ Benjamin, Amalie (2010-07-01). "Injury brings him to his knees". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
- ↑ "The 2011 Awards". The Fielding Bible. Archived from the original on November 1, 2011.
- ↑ Longest Red Sox hitting streaks by position. Boston.com
- ↑ Broken finger, broken team, but Red Sox' Dustin Pedroia is playing | masslive.com
- ↑ Browne, Ian (July 24, 2012). "Pedroia agrees to extension through 2021". MLB.com. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
- ↑ "Boston Red Sox: 2013 American League East Champions".
- ↑ Singer, Tom. "Wilson honors Parra, Pedroia for unrivaled D". MLB.com. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Dustin Pedroia has thumb surgery". ESPN Boston. November 13, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ↑ "Dustin Pedroia Career Home Runs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ↑ Pini, Jeff (2014-11-04). "Dustin Pedroia Makes Team History With Fourth Gold Glove Award". Boston.com. Boston.com. Retrieved 2014-11-05.
- ↑ "Red Sox's revamped lineup backs Buchholz's gem vs. Phillies". MLB.com. April 7, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
- ↑ "Dustin Pedroia Comes Out Swinging". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
- ↑ "The Woodland People vs. Dustin Pedroia". Dead Spin. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
- ↑ "Pedroia: Woodland Comments Taken Out Of Context". The Sacramento Bee. 2009-04-10. Retrieved 2011-08-16.
- ↑ Dustin Pedroia Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com
- ↑ Hohler, Bob (2008-09-28). "Most valuable half-pint". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
- ↑ Kilgore, Adam (August 18, 2009). "Welcome, Dylan Pedroia". The Boston Globe.
- ↑ Gonzalez, Laurie (September 15, 2012). "Dustin Pedroia Wife Baby Boy Red Sox News". SB Nation.
- ↑ Silverman, Michael (March 13, 2013). "Dustin Pedroia continues his search for Bigfoot". The Boston Herald.
- ↑ Pedroia, Dustin (February 20, 2013). "Post on Twitter account 15Lasershow". Retrieved April 9, 2013.
- ↑ Vega, Michael. "Playing his cards right". Boston.com. Retrieved 24 October 2007.
- ↑ Edes, Gordon. "ito's return: No cribbage, but a curtain call". ESPN.Go. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
Further reading
- Verducci, Tom (August 15, 2011). "The Muddy Chicken Hits It Big: Loud swing, louder mouth, even louder results: That's the story of Dustin Pedroia writ small. In a lineup of stars, nobody has played a larger role in the success of the Red Sox—or inspired better nicknames—than their 5' 8" second baseman". Sports Illustrated. p. 29.
Born to Play: My Life in the Game by Dustin Pedroia with Edward J. Pelaney
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dustin Pedroia. |
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
- Minor League Splits and Situational Stats
- No. 45 – MLN FAB50 Baseball 2005 – Minor League News – Situational Stats
- No. 23 – MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006 – Minor League News
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Justin Verlander |
Sporting News AL Rookie of the Year 2007 |
Succeeded by Evan Longoria |
| Preceded by Justin Verlander |
Players Choice AL Most Outstanding Rookie 2007 |
Succeeded by Evan Longoria |
| Preceded by Ichiro Suzuki |
Major League Hits Champion 2008 (with Ichiro Suzuki) |
Succeeded by Ichiro Suzuki |
| Preceded by Alex Rodriguez |
American League Runs Scored Champion 2008 & 2009 |
Succeeded by Mark Teixeira |
| Preceded by Magglio Ordóñez |
Major League Doubles Champion 2008 |
Succeeded by Brian Roberts |
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