Dustin Pedroia talks a big game on the paddles, so it’s no surprise he unleashed some fury.
Pedroia joined Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Milan Lucic, Patrice Bergeron and a host of other Boston athletes Monday at Blazing Paddles next to Fenway Park for New England Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich’s “Ninko’s Ping Pong Challenge” charity event. Everyone flashed their skills — or lack thereof — but Pedroia was worth watching because of his reputation as a ping-pong stud.
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It was less than four months ago that Red Sox chairman Tom Werner issued an open ping-pong challenge to Pedroia live on NESN, much to the second baseman’s surprise.
“They kind of blindsided me with that,” Pedroia said back in January at the Red Sox’s inaugural Baseball Winter Weekend at Foxwoods Resort Casino. “I haven’t played in like three years, but they said the owner’s playing and he’s telling TV he’s going to kick your ass, so I guess I’d better get down there.”
The competition wasn’t quite as high Monday. Pedey, who played alongside former Boston Celtics guard Dana Barros, still laid down some vicious spikes, though. In fact, one unsuccessful bid — seen toward the end of the video below — looked like he was standing at home plate and swinging for Lansdowne Street.
When it comes to pong, Pedey’s gonna Pedey.
