Dustin Pedroia - Born to Play: My Life In the Game

I wanted to share my story because I know a lot of fans will be able to relate to it in a positive way. I hope every one of you can believe that good things will happen if you work hard and believe in yourself, no matter what you want to accomplish in your life.

I hope everyone enjoys my story, and I thank all of you for reading it.

My parents sacrificed a lot and sold a lot of tires so I could play the game I love. Because of their dedication I have been able to realize my dream and enjoy success at the same time.

I want to thank my coauthor, Ted Delaney, for his tireless work. He took my words and life experiences both on and off the baseball field and brought my story to life.

Thanks to my agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, and thanks to my literary agent, Ian Kleinert.

Thanks also to my editor, Kevin Smith, and to Pam Ganley of the Boston Red Sox Media Relations office.

I want to thank everyone who participated and helped tell my story, including my wife Kelli, Terry Francona, Dave Magadan, Alex Cora, Mike Lowell, Ben Cherington, Ron Johnson, Fred Lynn, Ron McNutt, Steve Hyder, Rob Rinaldi, Mrs. Julia Ruth Stevens, and Adam Speakman.

Its impossible to mention all the people who have had an impact on my life. I only wish there was a way to thank all of you individually.

My Red Sox teammates, from the minors to the majors, have been an inspiration. We all share the same goal and that is to bring as many World Series titles to Boston as we can.

I especially want to thank Red Sox beat writer Joe McDonald, who first approached me before my rookie season in 2007 and encouraged me to share my story with the baseball world. Joe knew thered be a good story to tell before the story even happened.

Last, and most important, I want to thank the fans. Theres no better place to play than in Boston. The atmosphere at Fenway Park is a special one because Red Sox Nation is able to relate to the Red Sox players in a winning environment that will continue for a long time.

H es right at the gate, and they wont let him pass. It seems that for so long, thats always been how it is.

Its Saturday, October 27, 2007, and Dustin Pedroia is once again trying to get where people dont believe he should go. Its been that way in high school and college and in the minor leagues and in the majors. And now, in the World Series, hes playing for the Boston Red Sox, who have just arrived at Denvers Coors Field to get ready for that evenings Game Three against the Colorado Rockies.

But the security guard who patrols the players entrance isnt buying the idea that thiskidcould possibly be a major-league ballplayer.

To this guard, whose job it is to know a major leaguer from everybody else trying to crash the party, this kid is clearly another one of these wannabes. They come like this, the autograph seekers, the hangers-on, the jokers. Clearly you can tell the kinds of guys who do not belong in a big-league clubhouse. Theyre always trying to fake their way in, or push their way in, or talk their way in.

This guy has got to be kidding. Look at him! Too short, too slight, too young. He looks too much like a normal person, too much like the rest of us. The real players have been coming through, men with size and substance and the looks that speak of lifetimes of success upon success. There is, always, a kind of easiness to them that does not reside in the everyday people who line up at the turnstiles and pay to enter.

And now this guys trying to slip past?

The guard isnt buying it, but the kid is still trying to push on through.

Thats how its always been, the giant talent in the small package, the looks-can-be-deceiving manner that forms itself into a swagger and an attitude. The chip on the shoulder; the in-your-face posture.

The guard at this gate wants an ID, but when he is shown it, he still cant bring himself to believe it. The anger forms in the kids face, the voice rises.

Dustin Pedroia has come a long way to be here, and now hes this close to the dream. Hes just going to push on by. Hes going to make them have to stop him.

(who wishes to remain anonymous)

Over the years there have been several players I didnt care for as a scout, but who later overachieved beyond whatever I thought they would do.

Ive been able to run into some of them and talk to them. When I do, Im not afraid to admit I was wrong. If the occasion ever arises with Dustin Pedroiaand I know hes a red-ass when it comes to people who doubted himI would gladly say to him, Listen, heres the way I looked at you and youve proved me wrong. And there are a couple of things Id like to ask you.

Things that Ive seen him do separate him from other people, and I would want to pick his brain. For instance, as good a hitter as Manny Ramirez isand I think he might be the best right-handed hitter playing now; if not its Albert PujolsRamirez still gives up at-bats at times.

Pedroia never gives up an at-bat.

He makes you work your ass off to get him out. I dont know what it is. Is it strictly his mental makeup? Or is there some approach he has that enables him to do this, something that other people dont do? He is a tough, tough out. The pitch that maybe you get him on one time, you dont get him on again, even in the same at-bat sometimes.

I would be curious, if I ever ran into him, to just talk to him about that. And couple that with the fact that, Hey, I didnt care for you but youve done this, this, and this.

Personally, I admire that.

I know hes had to prove people wrong. But its an admirable quality in him that he doesnt give up an at-bat. Everybody does. Everybody has horseshit at-bats. He makes you work. As a big leaguer I can see that, but I dont remember it being as prevalent when I saw him in Triple-A Pawtucket.

The major thing is, the Red Sox hype their people, and as a ball club you always hype your top-round pick. Thats understandable. We, as scouts, all know that. As an example: Your first-round pick doesnt always become a big leaguer. But when youre picking your first-round pick in the draft, youd like to think that the guy will not only reach the big leagues, but also be pretty damn good. You dont draft a pitcher in the first round and say, Boy, I hope this guy will be a number-five starter. You just dont do that.

The point with Pedroia is, what did the Red Sox see in him? With your first pick of a draft, you have to assume youre picking a guy who can be really productive, and I cant think the Red Sox are this smart. I think Pedroia outsmarted everybody.