Pedroia: "I hope everybody understands"

Dustin Pedroia spoke to the media about his decision to sit out the All-Star Game Tuesday in St. Louis in order to be with his wife Kelli, who was hospitalized earlier in the week with labor complications.

“It was pretty tough, obviously I’ve got to be with my wife right now,” Pedroia said. “It’s more important. Obviously I’m extremely honored to be selected by the fans. I wish I could be there, but I hope everybody understands.”

He wished his replacement, Carlos Pena of the Tampa Bay Rays, the best of luck.

“I’m extremely excited for him I hope he enjoys the experience and has a great time,” he said. “It’s awesome. I’m pulling for the American League for sure.”

The decision had weighed on Pedroia all week, and he was hoping his wife’s condition would improve. The couple is expecting their first child in August.

“She’s kind of the same right now,” Pedroia said. “That’s one of the reasons I was hoping she’d get better. That’s why I put it off to the last minute. But hopefully the next few days she gets better.”

He thanked the Red Sox organization for its support.

“Our organization, Tito and everybody have been unbelievable,” Pedroia said. “This is obviously a tough time for me and my wife, so we’re just trying to deal with it as best we can.”