Golden Boy
Congratulations go out to Dustin Pedroia for nabbing his first Gold Glove award.
Although the official announcement is not for another 45 minutes, eagle-eyed SoSH folks spotted the Rawlings press release on the news wire. The Globe cites an unnamed “baseball source” rather than just pointing to the wire release- but WEEI credits the sports wire and notes that Dustin has acknowledged receiving the honor.
“I really didn’t think about it,” he said of winning the award. “I take pride in my defense, it’s a huge part of my game. In fact, my biggest (priority) is defense. I need to be extremely important to our pitching staff. I put in a ton of time with Luis Alicea and Alex Cora from Day One. It’s only my second year playing second base. I took extra ground balls every single day and it definitely paid off.”“I got a lot faster in the offseason,” he said. “I put in the time, did all the cardio workouts, speed work, and agility. That really paid off where my range got a lot better and my arm strength got better. I’m not the biggest guy in the world but I can make up with effort in the offseason.”
Kevin Youkilis did not repeat at first base; that honor instead went to Tampa’s Carlos Pena (who also beat out Youk in the Fielding Bible awards).
Here’s how the full slate shakes out in the American League:
- P – MIKE MUSSINA – YANKEES
C – JOE MAUER – TWINS
1ST – CARLOS PENA – RAYS
2ND – DUSTIN PEDROIA – RED SOX3RD – ADRIAN BELTRE – MARINERS
SS – MICHAEL YOUNG – RANGERS
OF – TORII HUNTER – ANGELS
OF – GRADY SIZEMORE – INDIANS
OF – ICHIRO SUZUKI – MARINERS
Congrats to Pedy, that is so cool. I got the text this morning.
Congrats Pedie!! Damn ROTY in ‘07 and Gold Glove winner in ‘08.
MVP?
Congrats, Pedey! How many more days ’til he gets his MVP award? :D
I think Pedey Deserves it…But ….Pena!?? he was eternally almost pulled off the bag… and had terrible range on ground balls and in borderline throws…
Congrats to Pedey…he SO deserves it. I think he is exactly what it means to be a Red Sox. I hope when the time comes…Theo pays him what he deserves so we get to see him playing for us for a LONG time.
I think they should have given Youk the gold glove at first and third base….lol.
Congrats Pedie! Not too shabby of a career so far – WS ring, RoY, Gold Glove, … MVP?
I think Youk would’ve won it if he had played the entire season at 1B instead of switching between that and 3B.
Hooray Pleats!
Agreed on the Youk first/third comments. The GGs are kind of bull, but why not have four “infield” spots like they have with the three “outfield” awards?
It’s not Youk being left off that’s a crime – he’s obviously top 2-3 at the position, but Pena’s stats stack up fairly well… it’s Michael Young. Seriously, what a freakin’ joke. Michael Young is not only not even in the top 5 group of defensive shortstops, he may well be the WORST defensive shortstop.
I’m happy for Dustin – but them awarding a GG to Michael “I Have No Range At All, How In The Hell Did I Get This Award?” Young absolutely proves the whole thing is a farce anyway.
In case any of you haven’t listened to it, the conference call with him is good.
http://tinyurl.com/5kfbb5
In case you haven’t listened to it, the conference call with Pedey is good.
http://tinyurl.com/5kfbb5
Yikes it sounds like Young is worse than Lugo. And I didn’t know that was possible
Belated congratulations to Pedey!
Congrats, Pedie!
http://www.darincale.com/images/TannerBoyle.jpg
I give you baby Pedey!
I couldnt get a direct link from here but its a must look at! Pedey had lots of hair!
Great pic – he looks cocky even then.
Kat was joking, Jennie. That’s the Tanner Boyle character from the Bad News Bears movies.