The writing was on the wall, but on Monday it became official: Boston Red Sox legend Dustin Pedroia announced his retirement from baseball after 14 years and three World Series titles.
Pedroia has been a fan favorite in Boston and all of New England ever since his arrival in 2006. Over the next 14 years, the second baseman appeared in over 1,500 games for the Red Sox and was named a four-time All-Star. He also was named MVP of the American League in 2008.
The 37-year-old stepping away from the game after a couple of injury-filled seasons did not come as a surprise, but still generated quite a response on social media.
One such reaction came from New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, who posted a picture of No. 15 with the caption “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog” — a saying that also could be applied to Edelman.