Dustin Pedroia can officially say he’s a Hall of Famer.
Pedroia might not be enshrined in Cooperstown (yet), but the Arizona Fall League announced Friday that the Red Sox second baseman has been elected as one of three new members of its Hall of Fame. Pedroia is joined by Athletics manager Bob Melvin and former major leaguer Darin Erstad as the Hall’s new inductees.
Th Arizona Fall League is a six-team league for prospects of major league organizations. Pedroia played for the Scottsdale Scorpions in 2004 before breaking into the majors with Boston in 2006. Pedroia then went on to win Rookie of the Year and a World Series title in 2007, as well as the American League MVP award in 2008. The 29-year-old has four MLB All-Star selections and two Gold Gloves to his credit.
Melvin, who has been the Oakland manager since 2011, managed the Maryvale Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League in 1999. He has also managed the Diamondbacks and Mariners in his major league career.
Erstad played 14 seasons in the majors, 11 of which came with the Angels. He earned two All-Star selections and won two Gold Gloves. Erstad played for the Tempe Rafters in 1995.
The three new members of the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame join the likes of Derek Jeter, Roy Halladay, Albert Pujols, Mike Piazza, Terry Francona and 29 others.
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