Dustin Pedroia at Red Sox spring training as guest instructor
For 14 big league seasons, Dustin Pedroia manned second base for the Red Sox. On Saturday, the former four-time All Star was a guest instructor at the team’s spring training facility.
The former 2007 American League Rookie of the Year enjoyed his time with the team today. Pedroia said that manager Alex Cora reached out to him about being around the team for a few days.
The request was a last minute, Pedroia and his family only booked flights to Fort Myers less than a day ago, per source.
Pedroia was all over the complex, he spent time watching the catchers hit when the workouts began in the morning. He made his way over to another field and was around the infielders taking batting practice.
Later in the day, Pedroia hit grounders and fly balls to his three boys, Dylan, Cole and Brooks. First baseman Bobby Dalbec assisted with the boys playing first base and second base.
While Pedroia took part of a media scrum following the day’s workouts, he was asked if he’d ever like to manage in the bigs?
“I don’t know,” he said, per Abraham. “I’m going day-by-day right now.
“Obviously I’ll do anything for Alex. What he meant to me in my career and the way he helped me, the things he taught me. If he asks, I’m there. But as far as like a major role with the organization, I’m not there yet. My kids are young. I’m focused on them.”
Pedroia will be in camp for a few days and his veteran presence will help set a tone for this team early in camp.
“There will always be expectations here. I don’t think people’s outside perception of how good they are really doesn’t matter. What really matters is how the players they have play,” said Pedroia.
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