Dustin Pedroia named AL Rookie of the Year

Red Sox 2nd baseman Dustin Pedroia started the 2007 season slowly but got hot as the season went along. His biggest moment of the season was the lead-off home run in game 7 of the ALCS. He hit .317 for Boston this year with a .990 fielding percentage. The Boston media was down on Pedroia and in April and again in the ALCS. Here is a quote from the Globe after game 4 "It is also time to move Dustin Pedroia (3 for 16), a front-runner for Rookie of the Year, down in the order. Pedroia has been in a hitting funk since the postseason began. He could benefit from being removed from the lead-off spot, where the pressure to kick the team into gear is huge." Pedroia went 2-4 the next night in the lead-off spot. With Jacoby being a "rookie" next year the award may stay in Boston. Pedroia joins other Red Sox Rookie of the Year Award Winners Walt Dropo, Don Schwall, Carlton Fisk, Fred Lynn, and Nomar Garciaparra in receiving the honor.