(Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia will be blogging for WEEI.com throughout the World Baseball Classic. His second entry comes after Team USA’s off-day workout, Monday, at the Rogers Centre.)

TORONTO — So this is how the game went during Monday’s workout: Each of us taking batting practice can’t hit a ball foul or it will cost five push-ups. Then if we hit a ball we think is going out you have to call it, but if it doesn’t go out then that will cost you five push-ups.

I end up hitting a couple of line-drives that hit the top of the fence that I thought were gone. So I did my push-ups … real push-ups. Derek Jeter? Well, he didn’t really go down all the way. I’m not a trainer or anything, but those weren’t push-ups.

But Derek is a great guy, one of a bunch of great guys on this team. He’s a guy who has a good personality and I really think he enjoys coming here each day and playing. Any guy like that you can joke around with because if you love playing baseball you have to keep it relaxed and keep an upbeat atmosphere. There are a lot of guys on this team like that. That’s what makes it fun. This World Baseball Classic is a tough tournament to play in, but if you stay relaxed it slows down and you can really enjoy it.

I didn’t really know how much I would be able to joke with Derek, but our lockers are right next to each other and it’s been great. I just started kidding around and saw what happened. It’s been fun. It’s been fun playing with all of these guys. I respect these guys so much. I’m just trying to pick their brains and see what I can use to put in my game.

As for myself, I’m just going to be who I am. My teammates in Boston love me for that and I’m not going to change because I’m playing on this team or any other team. I’m hoping the guys like me and like playing with me, but we’ve all got to just keep playing because winning is what it’s all about.

Another guy who gets it is David Wright. I love ripping on him. He’s got no chance, it’s great. We’ve been playing the card game ‘Pluck’. Oh my goodness, he has to clean it up.

I’ve met David a few times since we have the same agents. He just gets it. He is one of those guys who right after one day is done he is asking what time you want to go the next day. To start out a career like he has, it’s awesome. It’s been cool getting to know him, and getting to know all these guys … even if some of them can’t do push-ups.

12 Comments for “Dustin Pedroia, Blog entry No. 2”

1. Bobby P Says:
   March 10th, 2009 at 7:34 am

   You represent the City of Boston with class and dignity and show the young kids that with hard work and dedication, one can achieve and succeed in any endeavor they put there mind to. My son loves you and he could not have picked a better role model than you. He is 8 years old, loves baseball and emulates you always.(which is great but he loves that uppercut swing(hahaha))
   Thank you for being real and representing beantown well. Also if i was going to have 2 guys in the middle, how could you not want you and Jeter, both winners and tireless workers, too bad he is a Yankee.
   Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   Bring another one home for the city this year, we need a another series title.

2. becks Says:
   March 10th, 2009 at 7:55 am

   Jeter “a winner”? That’s sooooo last century. haha!

3. Dirt Dog Says:
   March 10th, 2009 at 8:59 am

   Keep playing the way you do and represent my screen name well. lol. Remember to always keep it real and I think you do especially with all the hardware you have earned in just 2 years. Real baseball fans and sports fans in generally appreciates players that are not A-phony or a baseball diva.

   Not sure if you’re going to win an award for blogging…Vegas odds are slim…but like these stories that most fans never hear about…keep’em coming.

   Represent the Sox and Team USA with Pride!

4. Swagger Says:
   March 10th, 2009 at 3:08 pm

   Dustin, i’m a straight ny ‘r and a dedicated yankee fan and i gotta say u’re a joy to watch , and an inspirational ballplayer..u keep the yankee/red sox thing fired up..u represent ur town and this country with class and swagger ..love the mlb ‘09 the show commercial…

5. GottalovetheSox Says:
   March 11th, 2009 at 10:19 am

   Dustin, I love your playing. You’ve been my favorite since the beginning, but I was completely disappointed when I saw you chewing tobacco. So many kids look up to you and you have the chance to teach them so much, but that is just setting a bad example. I know that its apart of the game, but really aren’t sunflower seeds and big league chew good enough?

6. jete02fan Says:
   March 12th, 2009 at 1:07 pm

   why you little loudmouth so and so…lol, j/k i always enjoy stories of players getting too know each other away from their respective teams, i like Dusty’s approach to the game, like our captain he plays the game the right way…hoping Jeter, Pedroia and Youk can lead the US to the title..and represent the ALE..

7. fruitgirl Says:
   March 13th, 2009 at 6:48 am

   I hope I get to see you play when I come down to Ft. Myers the end of next week, but I don’t want to jinx your team USA at WBC. You are a spark plug, a dash of red pepper flakes on the Red Sox team…and a joy to watch. Have a wonderful year,and tell Tek we are glad he is back. Chicks dig goatees, so feel free to let it grow, that goes for the whole team.

8. YanksFan Says:
   March 14th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

   I’m a huge Yankees fan but you are a player that I really enjoy watching. I definitely wish that you were on the Yankees. You seem like a guy who just loves playing the game and hopefully you can help USA win the WBC. Just tone it down against the Yanks during the season lol.

9. chrismasrap Says:
   April 2nd, 2009 at 7:29 pm

   yooo dustinnn…you are my favorite player on the red sox…you are the best bro…but i do have a question for you…i love to pack a nice fat lip a few times a week, especially when i am at the driving range or driving around…anyway…what kind of dip do you use?..personally i am a skoal pouches man, but i was wondering what kind you like to use?

10. drive/sox_fan864 Says:
    May 27th, 2009 at 4:30 am

    Players like Pedroia are the reason baseball is back. He is hands down my favorite player and has been since his days in Augusta, GA. Knew he would be something special and he is. Finally an athlete I feel my kids are safe to look up to.

11. redsoxglory4 Says:
    June 9th, 2009 at 7:27 pm

    yo man ur great. u hustle all the time and never let us down i look up to u so much, keep up the great work and let’s get another championship!

12. Sean Says:
    September 29th, 2009 at 9:57 pm

    skoal peach, apple and citrus are whats up….straight once in a while

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