Call to the pen
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Boston Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia is not coming back

By David Hill

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 17, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Red Sox 5-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 17, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Red Sox 5-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Although he has not yet officially retired, Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is not going to attempt another comeback.

It has been four years since Dustin Pedroia was a regular part of the Boston Red Sox lineup. His hard-nosed style of play over the years had caught up with him as injuries began to keep him from performing at his accustomed level. Those injuries kept him to just nine games over the past three years, with Pedroia unable to suit up at all in 2020.

Despite numerous comeback attempts, the end is at hand. Pedroia is no longer looking to make his way back to the Red Sox.

It is understandable that the Red Sox would look to give Pedroia a proper sendoff. They may want to wait to see if fans are allowed back in the stands, allowing him to get one more standing ovation before he fades off into the sunset, his career officially coming to an end.

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Pedroia certainly carved a place for himself in Red Sox history. He was a four time All Star, winning the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year and 2008 AL MVP awards. Over the course of his career, he posted a .299/.365/.439 batting line, hitting 140 homers and 394 doubles. He had seemed destined to have a strong case for the Hall of Fame before those knee injuries ended his career.

Pedroia was also far more than just a bat. He was a solid defensive player as well, winning four Gold Glove awards. In his case, he earned those through his solid defense, as he led the league in runs saved at second three times in his career. His 98 runs saved not only lead all active second basemen, but ranks fifth in MLB history.

He had already faced the inevitable. His ongoing knee surgeries had left him unable to play, forcing him to come to the realization that his career was over. Pedroia was reportedly ready to have that conversation with the Red Sox as they figured out a proper sendoff, one befitting his place in franchise history.

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That time is going to come. The Boston Red Sox and Dustin Pedroia just need the time to be right for him to officially put his career to an end.

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