Dustin Pedroia Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Former Yankees player believes Dustin Pedroia deserves to be in HOF

By Lauren Higgins | Last updated 2/10/24

Former Red Sox star Dustin Pedroia will have his name featured on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time next season. The second baseman brings a decorated resume to the table, but will he be able to achieve Hall of Fame status? His one-time rival thinks that he should.

Pedroia announced his retirement in 2021 after spending 14 seasons in Boston. During that time, he was a four-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion. He is also the only player in major league history to win a World Series and earn MVP, ROY and Gold Glove honors in his first two full seasons.

Throughout his career, Pedroia's name was involved in a heated debate surrounding whether he was the best second baseman in the American League. The other name featured in the conversation was none other than former Yankees slugger Robinson Cano.

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Cano made his debut with the Yankees in 2005, where he would spend the next eight seasons before signing a massive deal with the Seattle Mariners in 2013. His career includes eight All-Star appearances, four Silver Slugger awards and one World Series ring.

The longtime veteran believes Pedroia should be headed to Cooperstown. "He deserves it," Cano told Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe. "He's a guy who got out of bed every day and played hard. All the things that he did for Boston, even if they had Manny [Ramirez] and all of those guys, you had to think about Pedroia in the lineup. For me, I think he deserves it."

Pedroia's Hall of Fame status is up for debate, as well. Thanks to Manny Machado, Pedroia's career ended early, which robbed him of late-career numbers that would've made his HOF case a no-brainer.

Though he may not make it to the Hall, Pedroia's grit, heart and desire will forever be enshrined in Red Sox history.

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