Posted by Alex Speier

Count Orioles manager Dave Trembley as the latest to show the love to Dustin Pedroia. Before watching the little second baseman that could go 3-for-5 with his 16th homer of the year against his team, Trembley admitted that he has a serious man(ager) crush on the player who is now being serenaded with regular M-V-P chants at Fenway Park. 

 

He hits, he steals, he fields...and he can fly! No wonder teammate Mark Kotsay said that Pedroia should wear an "S" on his chest...

Trembley has seen Pedroia’s entire professional career. He managed against the Red Sox’ top 2004 draft pick in the Single-A Florida State League, the Double-A Eastern League, the Triple-A Eastern League and now the majors. Over time, he has developed a keen appreciation for his game.

 

“I think he is the heart and soul of the Boston Red Sox…Pedroia is the guy that makes this team go. I don’t think there’s any question about that,” said Trembley. “If you stop Pedroia, you’ve got a chance to beat them. To me, all the other guys are supporting cast. That’s no disrespect to any of them. They’ve got great players—Ortiz, Youkilis. But Pedroia’s the main guy.”

Trembley noted a couple of elements that are easily overlooked in singing Pedroia’s praises. The Baltimore skipper raved about both the player’s on-field pre-game routine and his weight-room commitment in explaining why the 25-year-old is such a beloved figure of opposing managers. 

“The guy’s out here at 2 o’clock in the darn afternoon every time we play them, working with (first-base and infield coach Luis) Alicea on his pivot. The guy’s not there by chance. He’s worked at it,” said Trembley. “Look at the way he looks. You see him the first year he was here? You see him now? The guy’s in incredible shape. He worked his butt off in the winter.”

The results continue to boggle the mind. Pedroia is turning in a season that could be historic among second basemen. He is hitting .330 with 16 homers, 17 steals and 108 runs. There just aren’t many second basemen who have filled up the back of a baseball card in a fashion similar to Pedroia in 2008.