Pedroia Is The People’s Choice
His teammates love him. The fans love him. The baseball writers love him. The other ballplayers love him. His hometown loves. These days, just about the only people who don’t love Dustin Pedroia are fans of the opposing teams.
Yesterday, Dustin received the 2007 Players’ Choice Rookie of the Year Award before the game, building on his ROTY streak — this time, though, chosen by his fellow ballplayers.
Part of the perks of winning the Players’ Choice Award is a $20,000 grant from the MLB Players Trust, to be given to the charity of Dustin’s choice. His selection? His hometown Little League program back in Woodland, California. And the good people of Woodland couldn’t let that kindness go unrecognized… they’re renaming one of the little league fields in his honor. That’s right: the lucky children of Woodland will play baseball on Dustin Pedroia Field. No word on whether the kids will also be given a complementary jar of Dustin Pedroia salsa.
Not everyone has a handle on Pedroia’s personality, though – as the reporter writing this article has apparently never seen a Pedroia expletive-littered and brimstone-filled press conference, or read a Pedroia attitude and bluster laden interview. An excerpt:
In a Red Sox clubhouse known for its unique and mostly overpowering personalities, Pedroia’s understated presence also provides a welcome balance. Ebullient (and brilliant) closer Jonathan Papelbon, for instance, has been known to line-dance after victories. David Ortiz dominates with his booming laughter. Curt Schilling is a weekly serial drama, some of his episodes as moving as a bloody sock, some of them really, truly, epic postseason tales. Then there are occasions like Tuesday night when Manny Ramirez sits alone and watches the Tennessee-Texas A&M NCAA women’s game, while his teammates monitor the Yankees-Blue Jays game on the other two televisions.
“Understated”? Really? Understated is the very last word I’d ever use to describe Dustin Pedroia.
That is wonderful–good for Pedroia and for Woodland.
The reporter is our very own Sacbee reporter, and yes, she was sooooo wrong.
I really hope that Little League field has a big F*&K YEAH! across the left field wall. that would truly make it Pedroia-ish.
I also vote for a pre-game video of Pedroia giving a peptalk to the kids. it would go something like this: “see that kid on the mound? that kid’s got nothin, he’s terrible, he STINKS! now go out and f-in pound his ass for nine innings, go on, give him the GUNS!” and then he flexes.
Am I the only one that bought the Pedroia salsa? I got one of each flavor…haven’t tried it out yet, but will probably give it a taste this weekend during Sox-Yanks excitement
And by “understated,” the reporter means, “Damn, what a midget.”