A Red Sox legend is officially hanging up his cleats. Dustin Pedroia announced his retirement from baseball in a press release issued by the team late Monday morning.
Pedroia, 37, has played just nine games over the last three seasons, including none in 2020, while battling a slew of knee injuries that ultimately proved to be career-ending.
Pedroia finishes his career having played 1,512 games with the Red Sox over 14 seasons, which is the 11th-most in franchise history. He ranks among the top 10 in Red Sox history in hits (8th), doubles (6th), runs (10th), steals (6th), extra-base hits (8th), total bases (8th), and at-bats (9th).
Pedroia won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2007 and helped Boston win the World Series that same year. He won the AL MVP Award the next year in 2008 and helped the Red Sox win another World Series in 2013. Pedroia added a third World Series ring in 2018, a season in which he served more as a mentor after playing just three games.
Pedroia also won four Gold Glove Awards as a consistently great defensive second baseman and made four All-Star Games.
“Dustin is so much more than his American League Most Valuable Player award, his All-Star Game selections, and the Gold Gloves he amassed throughout his impressive 17-year career in our organization,” said Principal Owner John Henry.
“Dustin came to represent the kind of grit, passion, and competitive drive that resonates with baseball fans everywhere and especially with Red Sox fans. He played the game he loves in service to our club, its principles and in pursuit of championships. Most of all we are forever grateful to him for what he brought to our club and to our region as an important role model showing all of us how much one can accomplish with determination and hard work.”
“Dustin has been an integral part of our club from draft day through retirement,” said Chairman Tom Werner. “During his time with the Red Sox, we have had the opportunity to see Dustin evolve into one of the best second basemen in the game as a player and watch him grow as a husband to Kelli and father to his three incredible children. The full impact of the Pedroia family extends well beyond the walls of Fenway Park and into the Boston community through their work with military families and the Jimmy Fund. We congratulate Dustin on a tremendous career, and thank him and Kelli for their contributions to our club and our community.”
“Through championships and injuries, Dustin’s disciplined approach never wavered,” said President and CEO Sam Kennedy. “His work ethic is incomparable, and we saw him attack his rehab during the last chapter of his career with the same intensity he approached the batter’s box in his prime. I know hanging up his spikes is not an easy decision for a competitor of his caliber. We are fortunate to have had him in a Red Sox uniform for so long and look forward to welcoming him back to Fenway Park to celebrate his career.”