Pedroia named 2008 American League MVP

November 18, 2008

Marks ninth MVP award for a Sun Devil <separator></separator> Former Sun Devil and current Boston Red Sox second baseman <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/pedroia_dustin00.html"… Pedroia</a> has been named the 2008 American League Most Valuable Player, the Baseball Writers Association of America announced Nov. 18.<separator></separator>Pedroia held a press conference at ASU's Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark in Tempe, to discuss the honor.<separator></separator>Pedroia received 16 of the 28 first place votes in balloting conducted by two writers from each of the 14 American League cities. The 25-year-old was a powerhouse for the Boston club in the 2008 season batting .326 with 17 home runs and 83 RBI in 157 games. He also led the majors with 54 doubles, tied for first with 213 hits, and ranked second with 118 runs and 61 multi-hit games, both A.L. highs.<separator></separator>"I'm definitely excited, it was a tremendous year. Just to be considered with the five or six guys that I'd heard could win this award it's definitely an honor. With [Kevin] Youk[ilis], [Justin] Morneau, [Joe] Mauer, there are so many guys and to win this award is a huge accomplishment," Pedroia said.<separator></separator>While at ASU, he was integral in three of the best seasons in Arizona State baseball history, finishing his collegiate career with a .384 batting average while starting all 185 games of his tenure with the team. The All-American was a 2004 Golden Spikes Finalist and earned three consecutive First-Team All-Pac-10 awards.<separator></separator>This is the third award won by the former Sun Devil standout this season, having received the American League Silver Slugger Award and American League Gold Glove Award earlier this month. It marks the ninth time a Sun Devil has won an MVP award and now joins an esteemed list of former Sun Devils to win the title including Barry Bonds (seven times) and Reggie Jackson.

Sports Sun Devil Athletics