Former AL MVP Dustin Pedroia Announced His Retirement
Photo Via: AP Photo - Gretchen Ertl
Dustin Pedroia announced his retirement yesterday, citing an injury that led to a partial knee replacement surgery as the cause of his inability to run any longer.
Pedroia spent his entire fourteen-year career with the Red Sox. He debuted in 2006, but burst onto the scene in 2007. The ‘Laser Show’ took home the American League Rookie of the Year and won his first World Series that season. He hit 39 doubles in the regular season and hit two Postseason home runs (including a homer in Game 1 of the World Series).
Pedroia’s career jumped to the next level in 2008, his best season. He added an All-Star selection, a Silver Slugger, a Gold Glove, and the AL MVP Award to his trophy shelf. He led the league with 213 hits and 54 doubles, while stealing 20 bases and hitting for a .326 AVG.
Pedroia was known around the league as a hard worker who played the game the right way. Teammates described how difficult it was to beat Pedroia to the ballpark during his playing days, even when he was recovering from or playing through an injury.
Speaking of which, injuries became a frequent obstacle between Pedroia and the playing field in the second half of his career. From 2014 to 2019, Pedroia only played one full season (2016). However, that did not stop Pedroia from making a difference in the organization. The Red Sox won the 2018 World Series in a season that the former MVP only played six games. But he served as a role model for younger developing players, teaching them the ins and outs of being a major leaguer.
At the end of the day, Pedroia played plenty of baseball and has the accolades to prove it. He played on three World Series winning teams and earned the highest individual achievement an active player can attain. Filling the shoes of the 5’9” second baseman will ironically be such a tall order.