Covering His Bases

What's it like playing for Boston fans?

You know what, I don't really interact with them. I just go out there and play. Every now and then, like the other day, some girl had a sign up, said she loved me. She was a young girl, so I just went over there, gave her a hug, and signed her ball. So that's pretty much all the interaction I've had.

No marriage proposals?
There was yesterday! [A woman held up a sign that said] "Pedroia's future wife" and had an arrow pointing down. I was like, "Jeez. This woman must be blind. Poor thing."

Did anyone else on the team see?
Oh, yeah. They were all laughing. Yeah, it was funny. Right by our dugout, too.

Which player gets the most marriage proposals?
Probably Manny. I don't know. Out there in left field, that's a circus.

You like being in the middle of the infield, insulated?
Oh, yeah. I don't really hear much from the fans out at second base.

Where do you go out in Boston?

You know what, I don't go anywhere. I don't know anything around here. I haven't really had that much time to get out. I mean, I go to the movies a lot. I've been to Newbury Street a few times. My wife, she goes everywhere. She's been on the Duck Tour and all that stuff. I haven't done all that.

How'd she like the Duck Tour?
She loved it. She had fun. She took a couple friends when they were in town. Then she went to Cheers, and I don't know what else she did.

You grew up working in your parents' tire shop. How fast can you change a tire?
It's not all about speed in that. If you do it too fast, and mess something up, someone's going to get hurt. Probably the person driving. So if someone calls me to change their tire, I better be on my game.

You want readers to know you're a faster runner than first baseman Kevin Youkilis.
Thank you. It's about time somebody uses their brain around here.

Who on the team is slower than Youkilis?
I don't know. David Ortiz is pretty slow. I'm telling you, I work out with Youk in the off-season. There's no way he's getting 10 yards from me.

At what point is there going to be a footrace?
Oh, I'll race him. He's just upset because he's got leg issues. He's a little banged up and I'm not. Whenever he wants to race, I'm all for it.
– Amalie Benjamin