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November 12, 2007
By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer
Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia didn’t get much sleep Sunday night.
He said it had nothing to do with Monday’s scheduled announcement of the American League Rookie of the Year Award, but because he was busy moving into his new home in Chandler, Ariz.
Truth be told, Pedroia and his wife, Kelli, celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary on Sunday, and the couple had reason to rejoice again Monday when it was officially announced that Pedroia did, in fact, win the A.L. Rookie of the Year Award presented by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
“It’s kind of been a dream come true this whole year,” said Pedroia. “You definitely want to make an impact your first year in the big leagues, and establish yourself as an everyday player – a good player. Once the season carried on I started to have some success and the only thing I cared about was helping the team win because that was our ultimate goal.”
The Red Sox wanted to win the A.L. East title and they did. They wanted to win the World Series and they did. Pedroia was a big reason why the club accomplished both feats and for that he was named to this honor.
“If you’re dedicated to team goals then individual goals will come later,” he said. “You’re going to play your best baseball trying to do anything you can to help your team win.”
Pedroia said after winning the World Series he didn’t give too much thought to the notion of possibly being named Rookie of the Year.
“I’m not too big on personal accomplishments,” he said via conference call Monday afternoon. “I just want to help my team win. There have been some great players to get this award and it’s been such a fun and exciting year for me and my teammates. I’m so happy for the people who stuck with me through this whole thing. . . It’s definitely a huge accomplishment.”
More to come. . .
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