Red Sox' Dustin Pedroia Retires

The Red Sox on Monday announced second baseman Dustin Pedroia has retired, bringing an injury-forced end to a 14-year career spent entirely in Boston that was highlighted by an unlikely MVP award, three World Series championships and one of the most popular runs by an athlete here.

The diminutive Pedroia more than made up for his stature with heart, a sticky glove and a quick bat — the self-appointed "Laser Show" — earning legions of fans and a mantle full of hardware.

Pedroia, 37, retires as one of the most decorated infielders in Red Sox history. He played 1,512 games with Boston, winning the Rookie of the Year in 2007 and following with an MVP the next year. He was a four-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove award winner.

Pedroia also was a key part of the 2007 and 2013 World Series team and on the roster — though injured — for the 2018 title run.

It was that knee injury that kept limited Pedroia to just nine games in the final three seasons of his career.

But before his injury, Pedroia was a dynamo atop the Sox lineup. He hit .299 for his career with 140 home runs, 394 doubles, 725 RBIs, 922 runs scored and 138 stolen bases. He is one of only two Red Sox to hit 100 home runs and steal 100 bases — the other two being Mookie Betts and Carl Yastrzemski.

"Dustin is so much more than his American League Most Valuable Player award, his All-Star Game selections, and the Gold Gloves he amassed throughout his impressive 17-year career in our organization," Red Sox owner John Henry said in a statement.