Born to Play: My Life in the Game

Pedroia, Dustin with Edward J. Delaney

ISBN 10: 1439157758 / ISBN 13: 9781439157756

Published by Simon Spotlight Entertainment, New York, 2009

About this Item

First Simon Spotlight Entertainment hardcover edition July 2009, stated; first printing, full number line. Signed by the former Red Sox star second baseman on the title page: "Dustin Pedroia." The book is square and unmarked; corners sharp, tail of spine bumped; slight flare to the boards. The dust jacket is not price-clipped (original price $25.00); Brodart protected.

Seller Inventory # 013841

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Born to Play: My Life in the Game
• Publisher: Simon Spotlight Entertainment, New York
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1439157758
• ISBN 13: 9781439157756
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)

About this title

Synopsis

The inspirational story of Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia -- a giant talent in a small package -- who defied his critics with hard work, relentless determination, and a looks-can-be-deceiving attitude to become one of the greatest players in the game today.

Dustin Pedroia, at five feet seven inches and 170 pounds, is not the biggest, the strongest, or the fastest player in the game of baseball, but in just two years of major-league play he's become a Rookie of the Year, a Most Valuable Player, and a 2007 World Championship titleholder. At a time when steroid scandals dominate media coverage of America's beloved pastime, Pedroia has proven to the world that a good baseball player is more than size and statistics. His success comes from the heart.

Pedroia started swinging a bat when he was just a toddler, and by the time he was four years old he was hitting line drives off his older brother. He has natural talent, an unparalleled work ethic, and a pure love of the game, but he has spent his life overcoming the naysayers who believed he was too small, couldn't hit, and would never make it in the big leagues.

With commentary from coaches, teammates, and friends, including Red Sox manager Terry Francona and ninety-two-year-old fan (and daughter of Babe Ruth) Julia Ruth Stevens, Pedroia shares the story of his difficult and uplifting journey to prove himself at every turn -- from giving up his college scholarship so his team could have a shot at the College World Series to helping the Red Sox win their second championship in four years in his rookie season to nearly winning back-to-back World Championships in 2008. He takes readers into the legendary Red Sox clubhouse and reveals the challenges a rookie faces in a city so serious about baseball.

More than anything, Pedroia's love of the game and desire to win, not just for himself but for his teammates, defines him as an athlete -- but his dedication, his perseverance, and, of course, his monster swing have made him a beloved new symbol of baseball and offer hope for the future of America's favorite game.

Review

"We learned that if we told this kid he couldn't do it, he was going to go ahead and show us that he could."
--Pat Murphy, head baseball coach,
Arizona State University

"He's going to be an elite player every year because pitchers will always make the mistake of trying to throw fastballs by him."
--Mike Lowell, third baseman, Boston Red Sox