Dustin Pedroia is ready to flex his muscles.
Pedroia endured a painful 2014 season that raised questions about whether the Boston Red Sox second baseman’s best days are behind him. If you tell Pedroia he’s “washed up” or “past his prime,” you’re liable to be slapped in the face. The four-time All-Star is jacked — physically and emotionally — for 2015.
“Big difference,” said Pedroia, who insists he’s finally healthy after battling injuries the last two seasons. “I got a chance to lift weights. My upper body, it’s been a while. It kind of shriveled up, you know? Not anymore.”
Pedroia tore a ligament in his left thumb on Opening Day in 2013. He fought through the ailment to help lead the Red Sox to a World Series title, but he subsequently underwent offseason surgery that left him unable to lift weights. Pedroia thus entered spring training facing an uphill climb.
It became clear throughout 2014 that something was bothering Pedroia, though he never admitted such until manager John Farrell revealed late in the season that the hard-nosed infielder was banged up. Pedroia posted career-lows across the board offensively before undergoing season-ending hand/wrist surgery in September.
“Last year, I couldn’t grip a dumbbell,” Pedroia said Saturday at the Red Sox’s Baseball Winter Weekend event at Foxwoods Resort Casino. “I lifted my legs, my legs were strong. Defensively, I was fine because I’m moving around because my legs were strong. But upper body, obviously if you can’t do the things you want to do, you’re not going to have the bat speed that you normally have. That’s changed (this offseason).”
Pedroia won his fourth Gold Glove last season, so it wasn’t as if there was a corpse patrolling second base for 135 games. He still made an impact, and his confidence still was on display almost daily within the Red Sox’s clubhouse.
Pedroia has a little more swagger going into 2015, though. It’s as if he truly feels unstoppable now that he has no physical limitations.
“The ball’s going to go farther,” Pedroia said stone-faced when asked about returning to form upon facing live major league pitching. “Now, the balls are going like 400 feet. And then when you add five miles an hour on it, I mean I’m not a chemist or anything, but it’s probably going to go 500.”
You mean a physicist, Dustin?
“Whatever.”
Occupations aside, Pedroia has earned a reputation as a “ballplayer” since breaking into the majors in 2006. It’s a testament to his work ethic and passion as much as his on-field success, and this season marks an opportunity for him to show he still has plenty of gas left in the tank despite a rare down year.
“I plan on playing 162 (games),” Pedroia said. “ … I started 178 games (in 2013) with a torn thumb, so obviously, I’m a human. The next year you’re going to have a tough time.
“I’m back. My body’s back. I feel strong. I’m lifting everything. So I’m right back to normal.”
So Dustin, you’re jacked again?
“You see.”
Thumbnail photo via Mike Dinovo/USA TODAY Sports Images
