Dustin Pedroia Won't Retire But Knows His Playing Career is Over

Prior to this afternoon's game with the Cleveland Indians, Dustin Pedroia held a press conference at Fenway Park and announced he is "not sure" if he will ever suit up and play with the Boston Red Sox ever again. He was placed on the 60-day injured list. Pedroia's current contract with the Red Sox runs through 2021.

Pedroia, who has played his entire MLB career with the Red Sox starting in 2006, has been plagued by a nagging left knee injury since late in the 2017 season and underwent cartilage restoration surgery following that season. The injury limited him to only 3 games during the Red Sox's World Series championship run in 2018 and 6 games this season. The emergence of rookie Michael Chavis at second base has rendered him effectively expendable.

While Pedroia, who turns 36 in August, hasn't formally retired his career is effectively over barring a miracle and he knows it. Indeed, Pedroia has noted that walking has become tough. But what a career. Pedroia won the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year, the 2008 AL MVP, four Gold Gloves, was selected to four AL All-Star Teams and was part of three World Series championship teams. He collected 1805 hits for a .299 lifetime batting average, 140 HR and 725 RBI. Given that he played with only one team and played at a position not known for its offense I would say Pedroia has an outside shot at enshrinement in Cooperstown. Of course, Pedroia would rather be on the infield dirt at Fenway.

In which case, Pedroia might very well need to develop something else about which to be passionate. Because for all of his accomplishments not being on the field is undoubtedly killing him inside.