Pedroia retires after 14 seasons with Red Sox
Dustin Pedroia announced his retirement following a 14-year big-league career spent entirely with the Boston Red Sox.
Pedroia, 37, last appeared in a game in 2019 and played just nine times between the 2018 and '19 campaigns due to a left knee injury originally suffered in 2017.
"Dustin is so much more than his American League Most Valuable Player award, his All-Star Game selections, and the Gold Gloves he amassed throughout his impressive 17-year career in our organization," Red Sox owner John Henry said in a statement.
"Dustin came to represent the kind of grit, passion, and competitive drive that resonates with baseball fans everywhere and especially with Red Sox fans."
The second baseman was named the 2007 American League Rookie of the Year after hitting .317/.380/.442 with eight home runs and seven stolen bases.
Pedroia followed up that performance with AL MVP honors in 2008, leading the league in runs scored, hits, and doubles while slashing .326/.376/.493. He also claimed his first of four Gold Glove awards and his only Silver Slugger.
The four-time All-Star hit .299 with 140 home runs, 394 doubles, and 138 stolen bases in 1,512 career games.
"He showed the whole planet it wasn't about height, it was about balls," David Ortiz said of his 5-foot-9 former teammate, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.
Ortiz added, "If I had to pick one player to pay to watch it was Dustin Pedroia."
Pedroia is still owed $13.3 million for the upcoming season, which will also count against Boston's luxury tax.