Friday, July 26, 2013

Dustin Pedroia

Dustin Pedroia is a name.

Dustin Pedroia is an example.

If you live on Mars or, God forbid, are not into sports, Dustin Pedroia is the second baseman for the Boston Red Sox.

Dustin Pedroia just signed an 8 year deal worth $110 million dollars.

And he deserves it.

Even though those of us who dig sports dig it royally, maybe there exists a tinge of resentment over what these guys get paid.

We crawl through the mud every day and eat the meaningless words of our spineless bosses for the sweet reward of earning just below what we need to survive.

This creates anxiety.

Then you read about a guy getting umpteen million dollars, a guy whose character you question, and you feel cheated.

This creates resentment.

You get a clown like Manny Ramirez wallowing in money even though he disrespects the game, his teammates and the fans.

Openly. With no guilt or shame.

You get A-Rod signed for trillions, doping up to compete, and torturing yankees fans with his tender psyche.

You get a guy like Curt Schilling who retired rich and lost it all in the business world. If you or I had one tenth of Schilling's former wealth we would guard it zealously, falling to our knees every morning to thank the gods of compound interest.

There is another side to sports.

Paul Pierce crying when he received his championship ring.

Big Papi repaying fans with his smile and his strength and his positive attitude and his performance.

Tom Brady restructuring his contract to allow The PATS to continue to compete.

Dustin Pedroia coming into the league and being laughed at by jaded players for his insane hustle. Players jaded by the ego of being a pro; players jaded by fat wallets.

Pedroia answers by winning Rookie of the Year honors and going on in his second year to become MVP. By becoming one of only eight players to win a World Series and Gold Glove as well as being named Rookie of the Year and MVP.

Goes on to become the highest paid second baseman in baseball.

"..............But the way he plays the game, he plays like a giant. His intensity makes him a giant." Shane Victorino (teammate).

"He wakes up and thinks about baseball. He gets here at noon, it's baseball. He wants to win. He's a winner. Personally, I wish I had more of his characteristics."  Mike Carp (teammate).

"He's the kind of baseball player that every Red Sox fan wants to see in the field and at the plate."  John Henry (Red Sox owner).

"If I had nine Dustins we'd win every game". Terry Francona (former manager).

When Pedroia was asked why he did not look into free agency and a chance to earn even more money he said: "I'm not here to set markets. I'm here to win more games than the other second basemen."

It's that Guy Clark thing. Pedroia loves the game. He respects the fans and his teammates. He does what he does because it is who he is. He expresses his soul with a baseball bat, a baseball glove and an eternally dirty uniform.

And he is respected as an example by his peers. Someone to emulate. The highest compliment.

I bet if I shook Dustin Pedroia's hand I could pick up a bat and hit .250.

Well, maybe not. But maybe his vibe would course through my body for that brief moment and change me forever.

Into a competitor. A winner.

This is powerful stuff in a world so visibly out of whack with reality as professional sports is.

Can you finish a sentence with is?

Dustin Pedroia is the guy who makes it good to be a fan. He brings excitement and integrity. You watch him play and you lose yourself in his ability. His grit and determination and refusal to ever quit.

It's not about the contract.

It's about the man.


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