Pedroia the DestROY-ah by Jared Carrabis
Dustin Pedroia Wins Rookie Of The Year

The news finally arrived, the announcement that Red Sox Nation has been waiting for since June. Dustin Pedroia is the American League Rookie of the Year. Was there ever any doubt that Pedroia would cap off his first and quite possibly his most memorable season of his life with the title “Rookie of the Year”? This kid put on a Red Sox uniform and defied all the odds and proved everyone wrong. Among those admitted to being proved wrong was the Boston Globe’s own Dan Shaughnessy who did not believe Pedroia had what it takes to play in the big leagues.


Dustin Pedroia became the first member of the Red Sox to become Rookie of the Year since Nomar Garciaparra received the honor back in 1997 and we all know what he went on to become for this franchise. Pedroia became the American League Rookie of the Year in convincing fashion by earning 24 of the 28 first-place votes. What separated this feisty little second baseman from all the rest? The real question is what didn’t?


Pedroia’s .317 batting average was a record for highest batting average by a rookie second baseman. Pedroia sprayed 165 hits for the Red Sox in his rookie campaign while battling in multiple slots throughout Terry Francona’s lineup card. Being a contact hitter and a hitter that rarely strikes out, it was only fitting that Pedroia was flexible to be penciled in the leadoff spot and in the two-hole where generally contact hitters will be placed.


Dustin Pedroia finished the season with only 42 strikeouts and 47 walks in 520 at-bats in his rookie season. His .380 OBP was also something worth taking a look at when inserting him into the leadoff spot or into the two slot to get on for the big bats in Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz. Pedroia crossed home plate 86 times in 2007 and that is surely thanks to his ability to get on base any way possible in front of the monster 3-4 combination that the Red Sox possessed all season long.


This kid just didn’t get it done with the bat either, Pedroia is a slick fielder and also made his presence felt in the Gold Glove voting as well. There’s no doubt he received some Gold Glove consideration having only made just six errors on the season for a .990 fielding percentage. Pedroia had a total of 259 putouts and turned an impressive 78 double plays.


Also worth mentioning is that of Pedroia’s fantastic postseason, all in which he played with a broken bone in his wrist. When the Red Sox backs were to the wall facing elimination against the Cleveland Indians, Pedroia turned the jets on and hit .345 with a pivotal home run late in Game 7 of the series. Dustin Pedroia also etched his place in Boston history by launching a home run into the Monster Seats during the first at bat of the 2007 World Series for Boston.


We can all say with great confidence that this team is going to remain on top of the baseball world for the next few seasons at least due to the outstanding efforts by player development. With the likes of the 2007 Rookie of the Year, Dustin Pedroia, and now having the potential 2008 Rookie of the Year just waiting for Opening Day to get here in Jacoby Ellsbury, it is certain that the Red Sox rookies will play a big role in the success of Boston teams for years to come.

Published on November 12, 2007

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