Dustin Pedroia is an American professional baseball player who plays as a second baseman for the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB). He is currently the longest-serving player on the Red Sox roster and the only player from the 2007 World Series team to stay with the club after David Oritz retired in 2016.
He is an accomplished player with many successes lined up in his career path. During his ten years in Boston, Dustin received four stars, four gold gloves, the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year trophy, an American League (AL) Most Valuable Player award and a only Silver Slugger award. As a baseman, his defense at second base was rated as significantly above average.
Dustin Pedroia Bio (Age)
The award-winning second baseman was born on August 17, 1983 in Woodland, California, Dustin Luis Pedroia. He is of Swiss-Italian, Portuguese and Spanish descent.
Dustin graduated from Woodland High School in his hometown. He played football and basketball in high school although his football career was snuffed out by an ankle injury. In his senior year, he was selected as his league’s most valuable player (MVP) after hitting .445.
He studied at the Arizona State University (ASU) athletic scholarship although he gave up the last two years of his scholarship to help ASU recruit better pitchers. He remained at the stop position for the Arizona State Sun Devils. As part of the team, he put his name in the record books after a string of outstanding plays. He started all 185 games, had a career average of .338 and 298 results in just three years. His 71 career doubles is the fourth-highest in school history and his career batting average ranks him seventh. He was also named ASU On Deck Circle Most Outstanding Player.
In 2004, when drafting MLB, Dustin Pedroia was selected by the Red Sox with the 65th overall pick. He was the eighth to make a save and he received a signing bonus of $575,000. He made his professional debut in 2006 winning the AL Rookie of the Year award and was also selected to the 2007 Topps Major League All-Star Team. Also in his rookie season, he had five RBIs to secure the Red Sox’ World Series berth which they ultimately won.
Subsequent seasons will see him play well and win more accolades. In 2008, he received AL MVP, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. The year marks its most productive season on the baspaths; he stole 20 bases on 21 attempts, for a base game worth 4.9 over-average carries, and made great contributions to his team. His contribution was dubbed a superstar level of performance and rated 6.5 wins above replacement (WAR) by Fangraphs.
For the base player, the records can only get better. In May 2014, he scored his 100th game and 300th career double. He also won his fourth American League Gold Glove that same year. Even with a series of injuries resulting from a long absence from the field, Dustin is still considered one of the best baseball players in MLB history and it’s safe to say he succeeded there.
How much is it worth?
After Dustin was drafted by the Red Sox, he signed a six-year contract extension worth $40.5 million, with an additional team option for 2015 worth $11 million in December 2008. Five years later, the contract was extended for 8 years for a value of 110 million dollars. He is expected to be with the team until 2021.
With his incredible record and offers, the four-time All-Star is one of the richest players. He has a net worth of $20 million and a monthly salary of $1 million.
Dustin Pedroia Family – Wife, Brother
He was born to Guy and Debbie Pedroia, the two people who operate a tire store, Valley Tire, working fourteen hour days. His mother Debbie played tennis at Sacramento City College. His older brother, Brett, also played baseball and was a catcher at Shasta College, although he broke his ankle in high school.
Brett was arrested in January 2009 and charged with molestation of a boy under 14. He was found guilty six months later of having committed the said sexual act.
Red Sox second baseman Dustin is not only good with bats and balls but also excels at home. He is a family man and is married to his college sweetheart, Kelli Hatley. They exchanged their marital vows on November 11, 2009 and now have three sons together. Dylan (born August 18, 2009), Cole (born September 13, 2012) and Brooks (born June 14, 2014).
Kelli is a spokesperson for the Melanoma Foundation of New England. She lets young people talk about the adverse health effects of using a tanning bed. Melanoma was diagnosed at the age of 18 as a result of using said bed.
Height and other facts
Dustin Pedroia is 5ft 9in (1.75m). Although relatively short, it proved that being a good base player had nothing to do with size, nor with stats, but with all the love for the game and the desire to win, and not just for yourself. himself, but also for his teammates.
The baseman contributed to two Red Sox World Series championships in 2007 and 2013.
He is widely recognized as one of the best defensive players with four Fielding Bible awards and Wilson’s 2016 Best Defensive Player award in 2013 are proof enough.
He is the first Red Sox fielder to win four gold gloves.
Dustin underwent knee surgery for a complete cartilage restoration in October 2017 then misses the start of the 2018 season. He was activated on May 26, 2018 but after 3 games ended up on the disabled list with inflammation of the left knee.