Pedroia goes Gold
Dustin Pedroia won his first American League Gold Glove award today in what could also turn out to be an MVP season for the Red Sox second baseman.
The award, announced this afternoon, was the only Gold Glove given to a Red Sox player this season. First baseman Kevin Youkilis took one home last year, but Rays first baseman Carlos Pena took the prize this season.
In a conference call this evening, Pedroia said it's nice to be acknowledged, but it's not individual recognition that motivates him.
"I didn't really set expectations [coming into the season]," Pedroia said. "My first two years in the majors have gone by so fast. I just [try to] put my head down and go out and play. Whether 1 o'clock or 7 o'clock, I just go out and play. I plan on doing that my whole career."
Pedroia plays not only a steady second base, but a sometimes spectacular one. He has shown a knack for making diving stops in the infield, often earning the gratitude of his pitching staff at the same time. He made six errors at second base this season, the same number of miscues he committed during his rookie season of 2007.
Among AL second basemen, Pedroia's chief rival for the award appeared to be Oakland's Mark Ellis, who made just four errors this season. Pedroia finished second to Ellis in Bill James's Fielding Bible awards. He also finished second to Ellis in fielding percentage for AL players with at least 100 games at the position. His .992 was barely eclipsed by Ellis's .993. It stands as the third-best percentage ever by a Red Sox second baseman, behind Mark Loretta (.994 in 2006) and Bobby Doerr (.993 in 1948).
Pedroia said Ellis is one of the second basemen he has studied on video.
"One of my biggest jumps from my rookie year to my second year was studying film and reading where players are going to hit the ball," said Pedroia, who committed just one error over his final 91 games.
Pedroia, 25, is among the frontrunners for the AL Most Valuable Player award after batting .326 with 17 homers and 83 RBIs while also leading the league in hits (213) and runs (118). The AL MVP winner will be announced Nov. 18, a fact Pedroia said he just learned.
"I found out it comes out 18th. I'll be flying . . . my wife made a vacation for us [in Cabo San Lucas], and I'm not really interested in vacations, but I've got to go to make her happy.
"But personal things aren't big in my mind. The biggest thing now is focusing on 2009 and getting ready for that season."
He is the fifth different player in as many seasons to win the Gold Glove award at second base. Detroit's Placido Polanco was honored last year.
Pedroia was one of four first-time winners, joining Pena, Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer, and Texas shortstop Michael Young.
Outfielders Torii Hunter of the Angels and Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners both were honored for the eighth consecutive year.
Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina won his seventh Gold Glove, while Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre and Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore were repeat winners from a season ago.
(Chad Finn of the Globe staff contributed to this report.)
you cannot tell me that carlos pena had a better year at first then Youk
Rookie of the Year isn't a major award?
If you may have noticed I'm on a mission to keep the fans of New England in check. They over rate their players and teams and since EVERYONE in the neighborhood is also a fan of the same team, there is nobody to keep them balanced. I provide that service.
However!!!!
Pedroia has won his first gold glove, and it is well deserved. Congratulations to that short, and cocky,................person (biting my lip)
Well deserved, congratulations on the award. But in all fairness, it must be easier to play the infield so close to the ground...
Red Sox 2009!
Congrats to Pedey....no one deserves it more. I hope the awards continue to pour in this offseason for the guy.
Oh, boo on Carloa Pena. No way is he as good of a defensive first basemen as Youk.
Vote for Pedro...way to go Dustin!!
Well deserved!!
yeahhhh pedroia
congrats dustin! ... very well deserved!
Yeah Pedey! Well deserved after a great season.
Way to go Dustin Congratulations job well done! We hope many more to come and many more years with the Boston Red Sox
Yay, Petey! One award down.....and one BIG one to go!
It's funny that the IF gold glovers tend to change from one year to the next, but the OF and pitcher ones are grandfathered in to the same guys over and over. Is it possibly legit that Greg Maddux has been the best fielding pitcher in the NL 18 different times? That seems impossible, especially at his age. I mean, come on... Meanwhile, Ichiro and Hunter basically get these awards handed to them every year just by showing up. Coco deserved a GG last year, every one knew it, but he got robbed. Meanwhile, Jeter has a couple GGs but he's never been the top SS in the A.L. What a joke.
Ellsbury played the entire season without an error as a *rookie* and his name isn't mentioned amid this?! Ichiro the Overrated made four of them by comparison. What a farce.
He deserves it
Everything about Pedroia is what you want in a player. He is perfect. I have always loved the Red Sox, but since Theo took over, his regime is bringing up likable players that fit what the Red Sox are all about.
Yep and look at Youk he fields both 1st and 3rd base outstanding talk about a gold glove member that didn't even get a mention of recognition.
Congratulations, Dustin. Keep up the great work.
Jacoby, is my FAVORITE player of all time. He's my idol, and just my favorite, (I am a girl, and no it's not just because he's hott. Many people accuse me of that.) But anyway...Jacoby did not play enough games in one postion to be considered for gold glove. I really do wanna see him win a gold glove sometime, but he can play any of the outfields...maybe he'll play enough in one position next year, because if he don't win, I'd be very surprised.
But i do agree, he should have at least been mentioned.
Hey bouncer77, the article is not about Ellsbury, its about Pedroia...Why should Ellsbury be mentioned in an article that is about Pedroia winning the golden glove?
Well desevered
Ellsbury has no arm. Ichiro has one of the best arms of a CF in baseball.
Pedroia seems to come up with big plays in big situations, like some hitters come up big in the clutch. Don't know how it is possible, but he comes across as a 'clutch' fielder.
He was fun to watch again this season but I didn't like the off-handed remark he made about Jerry Remy when he (Dustin) was signing baseballs. One of the things that makes Boston a cut above in lots of people's minds is Red Sox Nation and Remy's commentating on game night. Don't become too cocky, Dustin. Baseball fans are a fickle lot and can forget you as quickly as they recognized you in the first place.
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