Dustin Pedroia is content these days.
After announcing his retirement in February, the 37-year-old has settled into life as a former professional baseball player, routinely taking his three sons to school while also dabbling in ranks of youth baseball coaching.
But Thursday there will undoubtedly be a tinge of envy. It's unavoidable. It's Opening Day.
"I’m OK," Pedroia said while appearing on the Bradfo Sho podcast's latest "Uniquely Boston" series (sponsored by City of Boston Credit Union). "I had some time leading up to it because of the injuries. Last year I wasn’t around because of what I was going through with surgeries and all that crap. I’m OK. Obviously, I’m going to be watching. Nobody loves baseball more than I do. I will be watching and stuff like that. I don’t miss playing. I miss being there. I don’t miss playing because, dude, I can’t. It would be one thing if I was healthy and not playing. I don’t think that would be possible. If I was healthy I would be out there hitting second hitting rockets off people. It is what it is, man. Everything has an expiration date. Look on the back of the bottle."
But Pedroia isn't healthy, and hasn't been for some time. That replaced right knee has made sure of that.
It has left the former second baseman watching from his Arizona home, no longer fighting for that next Fenway Park at-bat. His existence this year will be looking forward to his sons' next games, while remembering how special that first home tilt of the season always is.
"Every one of them is special, man," Pedroia said of the season openers. "There is a lot of stuff going on. Especially at our home openers. Just everything going on, so you’re trying to kind of not get too excited. But it’s impossible because you’re fired up. It’s the start of the season. There is nothing like Opening Day in baseball. Hell, I went to my Opening Day for my six-year-old in Little League and that was wild. Can you imagine doing it in at Fenway Park? That’s what (his son) Cole said. He said, ‘Dad, this is awesome for (his youngest son) Brooks. What’s it like at Fenway?’ I’m like, ‘What the hell are you talking about, you were there.’ He goes, ‘I don’t remember.’ He was younger. It’s just the best. Baseball, there’s nothing like it."
Pedroia's favorite Opening Day memory?
There was that game in Tokyo in 2008, when Brandon Moss -- who wasn't even on the roster when the Red Sox' plane took off from the United States -- hit the game-winner against the A's.
Or that day at Fenway that included Rob Gronkowski chasing Tom Brady through the outfield. ("That was a circus," Pedroia said. "That was awesome.")
There was one, however, that stands out. That came on April 9, 2019.
After a season-long battle with the Manny Machado-induced knee injury, Pedroia had found a way to be ready for a return by the time the Red Sox returned from their 11-game, season-opening road trip.
He collected his World Series ring. He was showered with Fenway adulation. And he started at second base for the Red Sox.
"I think that was probably my favorite because I felt like I had accomplished something getting back from what I’ve been through and just being able to be out there with the guys," he remembered. "The ring ceremony and the ovation from the fans, that was pretty cool. That was probably my favorite Opening Day."
While Pedroia has moved on to the next chapter in his life, he did leave a parting gift for those Red Sox who will be wearing the uniform on April 1.
At behest of Alex Cora, Pedroia offered a message the current group of Red Sox on the first day of spring training this year.
Considering the paths and perseverance Pedroia navitgated over his 15-year career, this was important stuff.
"Alex just told me, ‘Listen, I want you to talk to the guys at the meeting. You’ve been in those meetings.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, I will do it.’ I know all you guys all think I’m crazy and I just start yelling motivational stuff and start screaming cuss words. That’s really not how I am when I’m serious," Pedroia said. "I just wanted to let them know how special it is to be part of something like that. Obviously, some of the guys are new. It’s a special environment and once you’re around it it brings out the best in you. I just wanted to let them know to enjoy it because it can be taken away from you in a heartbeat. So don’t go in one day not 100 percent convicted and two feet in on your approach to winning and being the best teammate you can possibly be. Just simple stuff, man."
Now, Pedroia will see the next generation get to live the life he once did (albeit with just 4,500 fans to start).
He knows the feeling of that first game of the season at Fenway Park. Now it's their turn.
"There is really nothing like it," Pedroia said. "Obviously, I have never played anywhere else but I have played at other parks enough to know that Boston is one of a kind. I went to every city multiple times over a long career and there is nothing like Fenway Park. It doesn’t matter if it is a Tuesday, Sunday or Friday. It doesn’t matter what day it is. It’s the best place on the planet to play baseball. As a player you get up for every single game. There’s nothing like it. I’m sure the few guys that haven’t been a part of being there, they are going to experience it a little bit this year because it’s not full capacity. But it’s going to be soon and when that time comes it’s a bolt of energy through you as a player."