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In the Paint
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Jeff Howe is an award-winning sportswriter who is in his second season as the lead writer on the Celtics beat for the Boston Metro.  
 
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Published 21:04, November the 18th, 2008
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Pedroia wins AL MVP

Youkilis finishes third as Sox claim first MVP since 1995

Little Dustin Pedroia has blossomed into one of the biggest success stories in Red Sox history.

The scrappy second baseman wrote another chapter in a remarkable baseball career by nabbing the American League’s MVP Award yesterday, beating out a pair of first basemen in Minnesota’s Justin Morneau and teammate Kevin Youkilis.

The 5-foot-7 second baseman has routinely proven doubters and haters foolishly wrong along the way to winning a Rookie of the Year Award, a World Series title, a Gold Glove Award and now an MVP trophy.

Even so, Pedroia will attempt to build on last season when he led the American League in runs, hits and doubles while finishing second with a .326 batting average, and keep battling back at the voices of those foolish enough to have doubted him.

“Obviously, I’m motivated. I’m not the biggest guy in the world. I don’t have that many tools. If you look at me and I’m walking down the street, you obviously wouldn’t think I’m a baseball player,” said Pedroia.

“I think that’s the biggest thing that drives me to be a good player. I’ve had to deal with that my whole life. I think that’s just been instilled in my mind. I have to overcome everything to prove people wrong.”

Pedroia is the 10th Sox player to snag the highest award — the first since Mo Vaughn in 1995 — and is one of the most beloved Sox players, given that he looks more like Joe the Plumber than Dustin the MVP.

In a statement released by the team yesterday afternoon, Pedroia’s leadership component was lauded, along with the gaudy stats line: “It is a well-deserved honor, and we are delighted that his outstanding season has been recognized,” read the statement.

“The .326 batting average, 213 hits, 118 runs, 54 doubles, 17 home runs, and 20 stolen bases do not tell the whole story of how valuable Dustin was to the team in 2008. He also played gritty Gold Glove defense, and served as the igniting spark plug in our clubhouse all year.”

 
 
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