Boston Red Sox legend Dustin Pedroia retiring after 14 MLB seasons

After 14 seasons with the Boston Red Sox, second baseman Dustin Pedroia is retiring.

“The Laser Show” has officially run its course with Dustin Pedroia announcing his retirement.

Pedroia spent 14 big league seasons with the Boston Red Sox. He was a four-time AL All-Star in Boston, winning a pair of World Series in 2007 and 2013, taking home 2007 AL Rookie of the Year and 2008 AL MVP as well. The four-time Gold Glove recipient was a franchise cornerstone in Boston before injuries in his early 30s derailed his possible Baseball Hall of Fame candidacy.

Had Dustin Pedroia stayed healthy, he would have a plaque in Cooperstown.

Pedroia retires with 1,805 career hits, 725 runs batted in, 394 doubles and 140 home runs in 1,512 games. At his peak, Pedroia was the best second basemen in baseball. However, he failed to play in at least 100 games in five of his 14 seasons. He only played in nine games since appearing in 105 during the 2017 MLB season. Unfortunately, health will keep him out of Cooperstown.

Though designated hitter David Ortiz was the mainstay during Boston’s first three World Series championships since breaking the Babe Ruth curse, Pedroia was a major part of their 2007 and 2013 titles. Fate would have it, 2013 was his last All-Star season. Pedroia won his fourth and final Gold Glove the following year in 2014 before injuries took a toll on this special middle infielder.

If Pedroia had two, maybe three more healthy seasons, he could have been a hall-of-fame player.