The Eerie Obsession with Dustin Pedroia

I don't get it. Dustin Pedroia is always getting more credit than he deserves.

Case in Point Number One: The 2008 MVP Award

Either the media hates Derek Jeter (which isn't true), or they're obsessed with Dustin Pedroia. It makes no sense why they would strip Jeter of the MVP award in 2006 and give Pedroia the award in 2008. Their numbers were eerily similar, as were the differences in their numbers with Justin Morneau.

First, take a look at the 2006 numbers, when Jeter didn't win the award.

Player	Runs	Hits	HR	RBI	SB	BAvg	OBP
Derek Jeter	118	214	14	97	34	.343	.417
Justin Morneau	97	190	34	130	3	.321	.375

Second, take a look at the numbers in 2008, when Pedroia won the award.

Player	Runs	Hits	HR	RBI	SB	BAvg	OBP
Dustin Pedroia	118	213	17	83	20	.326	.376
Justin Morneau	97	187	23	129	0	.300	.374

Now, look at the differences in the numbers between Morneau and Jeter/Pedroia.

Player	Runs	Hits	HR	RBI	SB	BAvg	OBP
Jeter v. Morneau	+21	+24	-20	-33	+31	+.022	+.042
Pedroia v. Morneau	+21	+26	-6	-46	+20	+.026	+.002

There is a clear inconsistency here. Both Jeter and Pedroia had relatively close numbers when compared to Morneau, and Jeter had in fact better numbers, but Pedroia is the one who won the MVP award. Eerie...eerie indeed.

Case in Point Number Two: The 2009 All-Star Game

Dustin Pedroia does not deserve to be in St. Louis. He's constantly put in the top tier of second basemen, but he's barely a top-10 second baseman. It's a stacked position, and he's not in the upper echelon.

Player	Runs	Hits	HR	RBI	SB	BAvg	OPS
Aaron Hill	59	107	20	59	3	.299	.841
Chase Utley	56	84	18	55	8	.301	.985
Brandon Phillips	41	74	11	53	11	.268	.797
Ian Kinsler	59	82	19	51	16	.253	.825
Ben Zobrist	43	63	16	46	8	.281	.998
Robinson Cano	52	99	13	43	4	.302	.819
Brian Roberts	62	91	8	40	17	.278	.788
Clint Barmes	42	75	10	40	6	.276	.797
Freddy Sanchez	42	96	6	33	5	.316	.832
Dustin Pedroia	59	93	3	36	14	.290	.761

Case in Point Number Three: The Nation Sensation

Dustin Pedroia plays great defense. Yes he does. But he is not even the best defensive second baseman is the American League. Fernando Vina, Mr. Roids himself, says Pedroia saves so many runs for the Red Sox. Duh. What second baseman doesn't?

The best defensive second baseman is and continues to be Placido Polanco of the Detroit Tigers. This year, he's committed fewer errors and has made better plays. Polanco continues to get absolutely no defensive credit, and we can thank Mr. Pedroia for that.

Disclaimer: Yes, Pedroia is a good player. I admit that. So Sox fans, before you clobber me in disgust, I give Pedroia props. He has talent, and I have described him before as a player that is actively saving the game of baseball in the steroid era. He's better than average. But the best? No way. He's overhyped—but that's what you get with your own nation.