With his wife Kelli in the hospital after the doctors had to stop her premature labor, Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia has decided to skip the 2009 All-Star Game in St. Louis on Tuesday night.
After consulting with Tito, Theo, Phyllis Merhige of Major League Baseball and my wife, Kelli, I have decided to withdraw from this year’s All-Star Game in St. Louis. I will instead stay in Boston with my wife as we tend to a family health matter.”
“This was certainly not an easy decision. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the game of baseball and for the All-Star Game and am incredibly honored that the fans voted me this year’s starting second baseman for the American League. I am disappointed that I will not be able to enjoy the amazing experience with the other All-Stars, especially with my Red Sox teammates, but it is important that I put my family first at this time.
“I want to thank Major League Baseball as well as Tito and Theo for supporting me in this decision. I also want to thank the fans for their understanding and the continued support they have shown throughout my career.”
If anyone thinks that Pedroia made the wrong call here, they are sadly mistaken. I think anyone of us would do the same thing.
I do want to wish Dustin and Kelli nothing but the best as they prepare for the birth of their first child.
Tampa Bay Rays and AL All-Star manager Joe Maddon has replaced Pedroia on the roster with one of his own players in Carlos Peña.
