Peewee’s Big Award
He who is too short and has too big of a swing garnered AL Rookie of the Year honors, becoming the first Red Sox player to be so recognized since Nomar Garciaparra in 1997.
Dustin Pedroia has been proving naysayers wrong his entire life and this most recent honor may at last quiet those doubters. Even if the skeptics continue to harp on his untraditional build and technique, the infielder will do the same he has done for the past 24 years: ignore them.
The Red Sox second baseman was first on 24 of the 28 ballots for a total of 132 points. He was tenth in the league for batting average with .317 and 21st for OBP at .380. Only Placido Polanco had comparable production at the same position.
Two of his teammates also got the sportswriters’ attention: Daisuke Matsuzaka came in fourth with 12 points and Hideki Okajima sixth with three points.
Congratulations to Rat Boy!
