Summary
The book Born to Play: My Life in the Game, is about Dustin Pedroia’s life and what he did to achieve where he is today. The book starts off by introducing Pedroia and his family. Pedroia’s parents own three tire shops in the Woodland, California area, where Pedroia grew up. He has a brother named Brett. Pedroia has always been told that he swung a bat for the first time when he was only eighteen months old. At this point, his parent knew he would make it all the way, but everyone else didn’t think that. Many people in his hometown, a few coaches and scouts would tell him that he could never make it in the major leagues because he was too short and fat. Pedroia didn’t let this bother him. He let out all the negative things everyone was saying about him and only thought positive thoughts. He struggled a lot in his life, but he had his mind set to the major leagues and he dedicated his whole life to his dream of becoming a major league player. He parents were always there to support him and went to all his games.
When Brett started playing in little league Pedroia was too little, so he was the bat boy. His brother’s team name was the Red Sox. This was the first time he ever wore those words on his chest. He loved playing baseball and loved watching it. Baseball was not the only sport that he played. He also played football. When he reached high school he got hit really hard in a football game and broke his leg. That ended his football career. From here on, he focused on baseball. Every time he had free time he would be outside practicing his baseball skills. He would hit hundreds of balls a day and field a hundred too. At the end of his senior year of high school, he had many offers from different schools all giving him scholarships. He chose to go to Arizona State University.
Pedroia worked really hard in college ball and proved everyone that even though he was small, he could still bring much more to the table than everyone else. Pedroia has always wanted to make it to the big leagues and college was his chance to do that. Finally, the day came when Pedroia got drafted. Pedroia was the Boston Red Sox’s first pick on June 8, 2004. Pedroia was so happy when he signed with them. He felt that everything was working out for him, so he decided to marry his girlfriend Kelli Hatley in November of 2006. The managers had him start off playing in the Sally league which was low class A ball. He then got moved up to play in the Florida State League on the Sarasota Red Sox team, which was still class A ball. He proved himself worthy of playing up, so they moved him to Double A, then eventually Triple A. Triple A is the league where the injured major league players go to get back in the game. It is the league where anyone can get pulled up to play in the major leagues if they are ready. Pedroia knew at any moment he could get pulled up, so during the off season he worked out to build up his stamina and get stronger. He even worked out during his honeymoon.
The next season came and the manager felt he was ready. He made his first major league debut on August 19, 2006 as a designated hitter. He made his first debut at Fenway on August 31, 2006 playing second base. The crowd loved him and was so happy he played for the Boston Red Sox. Pedroia knew this was his home now and where he wanted to be for the rest of his life. Pedroia won Rookie of the Year in 2007 along with winning the World Series in 2007. He has also won the MVP Award, the Silver Slugger Award and the Golden Glove Award. Dustin Pedroia has accomplished his dream in becoming a major league player because he kept positive thoughts and kept practicing.
When Brett started playing in little league Pedroia was too little, so he was the bat boy. His brother’s team name was the Red Sox. This was the first time he ever wore those words on his chest. He loved playing baseball and loved watching it. Baseball was not the only sport that he played. He also played football. When he reached high school he got hit really hard in a football game and broke his leg. That ended his football career. From here on, he focused on baseball. Every time he had free time he would be outside practicing his baseball skills. He would hit hundreds of balls a day and field a hundred too. At the end of his senior year of high school, he had many offers from different schools all giving him scholarships. He chose to go to Arizona State University.
Pedroia worked really hard in college ball and proved everyone that even though he was small, he could still bring much more to the table than everyone else. Pedroia has always wanted to make it to the big leagues and college was his chance to do that. Finally, the day came when Pedroia got drafted. Pedroia was the Boston Red Sox’s first pick on June 8, 2004. Pedroia was so happy when he signed with them. He felt that everything was working out for him, so he decided to marry his girlfriend Kelli Hatley in November of 2006. The managers had him start off playing in the Sally league which was low class A ball. He then got moved up to play in the Florida State League on the Sarasota Red Sox team, which was still class A ball. He proved himself worthy of playing up, so they moved him to Double A, then eventually Triple A. Triple A is the league where the injured major league players go to get back in the game. It is the league where anyone can get pulled up to play in the major leagues if they are ready. Pedroia knew at any moment he could get pulled up, so during the off season he worked out to build up his stamina and get stronger. He even worked out during his honeymoon.
The next season came and the manager felt he was ready. He made his first major league debut on August 19, 2006 as a designated hitter. He made his first debut at Fenway on August 31, 2006 playing second base. The crowd loved him and was so happy he played for the Boston Red Sox. Pedroia knew this was his home now and where he wanted to be for the rest of his life. Pedroia won Rookie of the Year in 2007 along with winning the World Series in 2007. He has also won the MVP Award, the Silver Slugger Award and the Golden Glove Award. Dustin Pedroia has accomplished his dream in becoming a major league player because he kept positive thoughts and kept practicing.