Second base
Pedroia, 37, spent all 17 years of his professional career in the organization of the Red Sox after being selected by the club in the second round of the June 2004 draft. Three-time World Series champion (2007, ’13, ’18), was named Rookie of the American League of the Year in 2007 and the Most Valuable Player in 2008. He won four selections from All-Star Game (2008-10, ’13), four Gold Glove Awards on second base (2008, ’11, ’13 -14) and a 2008 Silver Slugger Award, and is the only second baseman named Red Sox MVP by the Boston Baseball Writers (2008, ’12). In 2012, Pedroia was elected second baseman of the All-Fenway team.
“Dustin is much more than his American League Most Valuable Player award, his All-Star Game selections and the Golden Gloves he has accumulated over his impressive 17-year career in our organization,” said Principal Owner John Henry.
“Dustin came to represent the kind of courage, passion and competitive motivation that resonates with baseball fans everywhere, especially Red Sox fans. He played the game he loves in the service of our club, its principles and in search of championships. Above all, we are forever grateful to him for what he brought to our club and our region as an important model, showing all of us how much can be accomplished with determination and hard work ”.
“Dustin has been an integral part of our club from the day of recruitment until retirement,” said President Tom Werner. “During his time with the Red Sox, we had the opportunity to see Dustin evolve into one of the best second base players in the game and to see him grow up as Kelli’s husband and father of his three amazing children. The full impact of the Pedroia family extends far beyond the walls of Fenway Park and the Boston community through its work with military families and the Jimmy Fund. We congratulate Dustin on his excellent career and we thank him and Kelli for their contributions to our club and our community. “
“Through championships and injuries, Dustin’s disciplined approach never faltered,” said President and CEO Sam Kennedy. “His work ethic is unparalleled, and we saw him attack his rehabilitation during the last chapter of his career with the same intensity with which he approached the batter’s box at its peak. I know that hanging your spines is not an easy decision for a competitor of your caliber. We are fortunate to have him in a Red Sox uniform for so long and look forward to welcoming him back to Fenway Park to celebrate his career. “
In the history of the major league, Pedroia is the only player to win a World Series title and win the MVP, Rookie of the Year and Gold Glove awards in his first two full seasons, having achieved the feat of 2007-08. The only other players to achieve all of these achievements at any point in their careers are Willie Mays, Frank Robinson, Johnny Bench and Cal Ripken Jr., as well as Pete Rose, Thurman Munson, Albert Pujols, Buster Posey and Cody Bellinger.
Pedroia was nominated Red Sox for the Heart and Hustle award of the MLB Players Alumni Association for seven consecutive seasons from 2010-16 and was elected the overall winner of the MLB in 2013. The award is given annually to an active player who demonstrates passion for the baseball and better represents the values, spirit and traditions of the game. He also received the Jackie Jensen award from Boston baseball writers in 2011 and 2014, awarded annually to a Red Sox player for his spirit and determination.
In the 120-year history of the Red Sox, Pedroia’s 1,506 games played in the 11th place of all time and are the second most among the club’s second base players, behind Bobby Doerr (1,865). Pedroia played in 14 major league seasons 2006-19, tied with Doerr and David Ortiz for seventh place in the franchise’s history, behind only Carl Yastrzemski (23), Dwight Evans (19), Ted Williams (19), Tim Wakefield (17), Jim Rice (16) and Jason Varitek (15). Pedroia made 11 consecutive starts in 2007-17, trailing only Yastrzemski (12 on the left field) for the longest streak of a Red Sox player in any position. In the 11 seasons prior to 2007 (1996-2006), 10 different players made Opening Day start at Boston’s second base.
In his major league career, Pedroia hit 0.299 (1,805 to 6,031) with a percentage of .365 at the base, 140 home runs, 394 doubles, 725 RBI, 922 scheduled runs, 138 stolen bases and just 30 fewer hikes (624) than that strokes (654). In the history of the Red Sox, he is among the 10 best of all times in hits (8th), doubles (6th), runs (10th), thefts (6th), extra-base hits (8th, 549), total bases ( 8, 2,649), and in bats (9). During the 10-year period 2007-16, his 50.6 wins over substitution were sixth in the championships, behind only Robinson Canó (57.6), Adrián Beltré (56.2), Albert Pujols (55, 3), Miguel Cabrera (54.8) and Clayton Kershaw (53.9), according to Baseball-Reference. In that 10-year period, Pedroia hit 0.303 and was second in the LA in doubles (371), fourth in strokes (1,666) and fourth in scheduled runs (869).
Pedroia has hit at least 0.300 in a season five times and was the only major league player to hit at least 0.275 in each of the 11 seasons of 2007-17 (min. 300 PA). His five games with at least five strokes are the most in the history of the Red Sox and he is the only player in the franchise to register up to six strings of 10 or more games in a single season (2016). His 25-game streak in 2011 is the longest of a Red Sox second base, while his 138 steals are the most stolen in the franchise in his position. Pedroia is the only second baseman in Red Sox history to record at least 200 hits and 100 races scored in one season (2008, ’16). He still holds franchise records for a single season in batting average (0.326), runs (118), batting (213), doubles (54), total bases (322) and extra base shots (73) by a player second base, all achieved during his 2008 MVP season. Pedroia joins Yastrzemski and Mookie Betts as the only Red Sox to reach 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases.
In addition to his four Gold Glove Awards, Pedroia was named a second baseman in 2012, 2016 and 2017. His percentage of 0.991 fielding in second base is the highest in AL history; he has eight of the 12 highest single-season fielding percentages on second base in Red Sox history, including a 0.997 best franchise mark in 2014. Pedroia had 439 consecutive chances without making a mistake during a 2009-10 period and played 114 consecutive games without errors from 2016-17, both Red Sox register on second base. He also holds Red Sox’s single-season records for most games (160) and starts (159) on second base, both achieved during the club’s 2013 World Series championship season.
Pedroia was the Red Sox’s second home base in all 51 of the 2007-17 club’s postseason matches, joining Mark Lemke (Braves, 55) and Robinson Canó (Yankees, 51) as the only players to play at least 50 consecutive postseason games on second base for a single team. During the 2007 debut season, Pedroia bet 3 out of 5 with a home run and five RBI in Game 7 of the ALCS, as he still holds the debut record for most RBI in an ALCS game. He is one of only two rookies to play in Game 7 of an ALCS, accompanied by Randy Arozarena in 2020. Pedroia returned to lead at the end of the first inning in Game 1 of the 2007 World Series at Fenway Park; he is still the only newcomer to make a home run in the World Series.
In 2014, Pedroia launched the Pelotão Pedroia program as a way to invite military personnel to Fenway Park during homestands, gathering them before the games and providing them with tickets to their seats. He has also been involved in numerous events with the Jimmy Fund, has met with several children as part of the Make-A-Wish program and has regularly participated in events that benefit the Red Sox Foundation.
Pedroia and his wife, Kelli, have three children, Dylan, Cole and Brooks. They reside in Arizona.