Two-Time World Series Champ, Former AL MVP Dustin Pedroia Retires
Injuries took baseball from Dustin Pedroia the last three MLB seasons, and the former Red Sox second baseman announced his retirement on Monday.
Pedroia only played nine games between 2018 (three games) and 2019 (six games). He didn’t play at all last season.
The knee problems started in April 2017 when then-Orioles star Manny Machado spiked Pedroia on a slide into second base.
People knew the injury was serious at the time, but no one knew that it would be the beginning of the end for Pedroia in professional baseball.
Yes, he still played 89 more games (105 total) in the 2017 season after the incident. However, as mentioned, he only played nine games following his first procedure in Oct. 2017.
Before the injury, Pedroia was a bona fide stud.
He won the World Series with Boston in 2007 and 2013. He also earned the AL Rookie of the Year in 2007 and AL MVP the following season in 2008.
Pedroia was a four-time All-Star (2008-10, 2013), a four-time Gold Glove winner (2008, 2011, 2013-14) and won a Silver Slugger (2008) in 14 playing (17 total) years with the Red Sox.
Only 10 players ever earned Rookie of the Year, a Gold Glove, an MVP and won a World Series during their entire careers. Pedroia is the only one to achieve all four in his first two full seasons.
Pedroia finishes his career with a slash line of .299/.365/.439. He also collected 140 home runs, 394 doubles, 725 RBI and 138 stolen bases.
ESPN notes, he’s one of three players in Red Sox franchise history with 100 home runs and 100 steals; Mookie Betts and Carl Yastrzemski are the other two.
Pedroia is also known as one of the best “short” players in MLB history at 5-foot-9.
Here, the former MVP explains his decision to retire:
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