Top 10 of '08, #7 - Clean-up hitter of the year

by Randy Booth on Dec 29, 2008 6:00 AM EST in Top 10 Moments Comment 14 comments

Pedroia hitting a home run. Just Dustin bein' Dustin. (via cache.boston.com)

OTM COVERAGE:
Aug. 31: "His name is 'Destroyah' for a reason"
E-Coli's unforgettable "MVP" series:

"Dustin Pedroia: Gold Glover extrodinaire"
"Dustin Pedroia wins AL MVP"

---------

Take a moment and do me a favor. Think of the best clean-up hitters in Red Sox history. Who's your No. 1 guy? You probably didn't think of the guy shown above, but maybe you should.

The 5'9" second baseman was argueably the best player in baseball this season, taking home the 2008 AL Most Valuable Player. He had one of the best seasons ever for a second baseman but there was one point that really catapulted him to the top: Aug. 30 to Sept. 3.

That period of time was when Red Sox coach Terry Francona decided to put little Dustin Pedroia into the clean-up spot in the lineup, instead of the normal two-hole. In his four games as the clean-up hitter for the Red Sox, the results were just awesome:

17 at-bats, 5 runs, 11 hits, 2 home runs, 8 runs batted in

All from a guy that needs a booster seat to drive his Cadillac Escalade (that's just a guess on my part).

It was only four games (with an appearance at the two-hole in between) but it speaks volumes about what kind of player Pedroia is. Not many players can be thrusted into the most pivotal part of the lineup -- a spot in the lineup he's never hit in before -- and succeed. He went further than succeeding and proceeded to kill.

Pedroia could have just pulled an 0'fer in his few games in his position and we wouldn't have said much about it. I mean, could we blame him had he not played well in the clean-up spot? We couldn't. But if he did go hitless, do you think he would still be the 2008 AL MVP? Maybe, but I think this demonstration gave him a huge push going into September and making his MVP run.

Since Pedroia has the biggest mouth this side of the Mississippi, you think he talked this up for awhile? Think he gloated to everyone in the clubhouse how big bad Pedroia could outhit Manny Ramirez or Kevin Youkilis in the four-hole? Yeah, I'd put money on that.

Ahh, Scrappy Doo. Gotta' love the guy. And now we get to watch him for at least another six years. It's going to be fun.

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Pedroia 2008 wOBA, UZR, WAR: .382, 8.9, 6.6
Utley 2008 wOBA, UZR, WAR: .391, 18.2, 8.2

Dustin Pedroia, solid as he is, was not even the best second baseman in baseball. Be fair :)

by astrostl on Dec 29, 2008 12:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You’re right. Chase Utley is a very good second baseman (and a very hurt one at that). However, he was arguably not even the most important or valuable player on his own team…

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Dec 29, 2008 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

http://tinyurl.com/8v48gt

He’s the top Philly with 8.2 wins above replacement, way outpacing Rollins’ 5.4 (and Howard’s 3.4).

by astrostl on Dec 29, 2008 12:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hrm, try http://tinyurl.com/8v2eav as a new link

by astrostl on Dec 29, 2008 12:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That’s not what I’m saying. I’m not looking at stats.

Had you guys not had Utley, you probably would still win a World Series. Had the Sox not had Pedroia, the probably wouldn’t have made the playoffs.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Dec 29, 2008 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, I’m not from Philadelphia, and I was even rooting for a Red Sox over Phils series! :)

Albert Pujols was the most valuable baseball player in 2008.

Chase Utley was the most valuable 2B, Philly, and playoff/WS player in 2008. #2 overall.

You stated that Pedroia was arguably the best player in baseball and that Utley was arguably not the best player on his team, but neither appears to be the case. Pedroia was still a top 10 player, though, and age is on his side. I’m rooting for him too.

by astrostl on Dec 29, 2008 1:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pujols is in another league

Not literally, but he seemed to be the Cards only offense, and what an offense he was/is.

Well, I'll appreciate for you to keep my zingers out of your mouth!

by BoSox415 on Dec 29, 2008 3:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But he's scrappy/griity/clutch!!!!!!

And he PLAYS THE GAME RIGHT!!!!!

Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Dec 29, 2008 9:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs