Dustin Pedroia Acknowledges he May Never Play Again

Today the Boston Red Sox transferred their long-time second baseman Dustin Pedroia from the 10, to the 60-day injured list. Shortly after making the move, the Red Sox hosted a press conference that included Pedroia, Alex Cora, and Dave Dombrowski. The conference allowed reporters to ask all three, specifically Pedroia, about the injury and what the plan is going forward.

The main takeaway from the Q&A session was the acknowledgement by Pedroia that his knee is no longer allowing him to play everyday. Pedroia even said himself that he is, “not sure” if he will ever be able to play again.

The writing has been on the wall for Pedroia. The former MVP has not been healthy for a while and, frankly, it stinks. Even if you hate the Red Sox with a passion, you have to feel for a guy that would put everything on the line night in and night out.

Not a play went by where Pedroia was not giving 110%. That is part of the reason he was a guy that I looked up to when I was younger. Now, people see the 35-year-old struggling to keep up with the likes of Eduardo Nunez. That is no knock on  Nunez, but through and through Pedroia was a better player. Now Nunez, Holt, etcetera, could be a better option at second base with number 15 hobbling around.

There is little doubt in my mind that this is the end for Pedroia. You probably could tell that was my sense of thinking based on what I just wrote, but so much needs to go right for the 4-time all-star to comeback. He’s an aging player with a bum knee. Add in the fact that Michael Chavis has seemingly snatched the second base job, there is little room for Pedroia. Still, I would rather not think about the end Pedroia. I would rather people think about just how much of a pleasure he was to watch when he put a Sox jersey on.

He was a leader for many years with the Red Sox, helping them win two World Series titles in both 2007 and 2013. He won a MVP, Rookie of the Year, Silver Slugger, and four Gold Gloves. Pedroia was phenomenal for Beantown. He should be for remembered for the effort and production that he gave the Sox, rather than this injury. So here is to Dustin Pedroia: one of the best to suit up in Red Sox gear.

-Jarrod Ribaudo (@Jribs53)