Dustin Pedroia Should Be In The National Baseball Hall Of Fame

Before a single pitch was thrown in the 2026 Major League Baseball season, when snow was covering most of the United States, just a month or so after folks opened presents for the holidays and toasted to a New Year, an announcement was made by the National Baseball Hall of Fame that changed the lives of former players, coaches, managers, broadcasters, and their families for life. The announcement that they have been selected for induction into Cooperstown’s National Baseball Hall of Fame. Upon hearing the news and with many of the announcements live streamed or on social media, we the fans got to see grown men weep, reach for kids and spouses and friends for hugs and handshakes, and thank the Hall of Fame with all their heart.

Fast forward to present day and we have the annual National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony and weekend of events slated for this weekend, July 25th (2026). Here are the individuals “going in” this weekend from the various committees and as a result of a majority 75% vote from the BBWAA (Baseball Writers Association of America).

• Carlos Beltran
• Andruw Jones
• Jeff Kent
• Joe Buck
• Paul Hoynes
• Bill White

You can go to MLB and check out this link to learn more about how these inductees were selected – HOF Weekend, 2026.

One player not being inducted into Cooperstown’s Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend is former Boston Red Sox 2nd Baseman, Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia remains eligible for HOF voting, still on the ballet after appearing on 21% of BBWAA ballots in 2026. You need at least 5% to stay on the BBWAA HOF ballets year after year and to build momentum year after year to get to (potentially) the 75% threshold before the 15 year clock expires. Pedroia retired from the Boston Red Sox in 2019, waited the requisite 5 years to be on the HOF ballot, and received about 11% votes on his first year of eligibility. The 21% is a nice jump year over year for Pedroia and gives Red Sox fans a glimmer a hope that #15 will one day get that special call from the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

But, does he deserve to be in the Hall at all? Do his numbers stack up against his peers that played during his 14 year career span? Do his numbers stack up against other 2nd baseman heading to or already in the Hall of Fame? Let’s take a look at the numbers first before we discuss the type of baseball player Pedroia was. As with other players I believe should be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, I love the 162 game average line that BaseballReference.com provides. Pedroia’s line – (rounding up) .300 average, 15 home runs, 78 RBIs, 99 runs scored, OPS .805, 42 doubles. Eye popping numbers for a 2nd baseman. Ridiculous numbers given that Pedroia stood roughly 5 foot something and weighed less than David Ortiz’s bat. Brief scouting report – Awesome power, fierce and violent swing, hustle doubles, hustle personified in the field, smart player, team leader, MVP, World Series Champ. A generational talent at 2nd base. A baseball player by every single positive definition you can find in the baseball dictionary. Period.

I listed Jeff Kent going into the HOF this summer. Here are his numbers, via baseballreference.com, and again let’s take a look at those 162 averages – 27 homers, 107 RBIs, .290 average, parts of 17 seasons with 4 teams, .855 OPS, nearly 2 to 1 K to BBs. Okay, Kent was an elite player. A feared hitter his entire career. A big dude, looked more like a first baseman or a corner outfielder, or a linebacker. One stat from his BR line that really caught my eye – Kent played at least 100 games for all 17 seasons and played 14 seasons of over 120 games, so he was a durable and dependable player. HOF caliber, I suppose I’ll give him the nod.

Just for reference and comparison, let’s add a few others into the conversation. First Craig Biggio:

Then, Ryne Sandberg:

And last, but not least, Roberto Alomar:

Biggio, 3000 hit club member, spent his entire career with Houston, converted catcher to outfield to 2nd base, and reminds me the most of Dustin Pedroia as a baseball player. The biggest difference, years of service. Biggio played 20 seasons, Pedroia logged just 14, technically 10 because of injuries. Sandberg was a lot like Kent, tall player, very athletic, hit a ton of home runs, drove in a ton of runs. Robbie Alomar was just spectacular on the field, at the plate, stealing bases, and is quite possibly the best 2nd baseman I have ever seen. I’m not saying Alomar is the best all-time, he is simply the best I have ever seen in person at an MLB game. Does Dustin Pedroia hold a candle to the likes of Kent, Sandberg, Alomar, and Biggio? In some rooms yes, in others not really. So, how about comparing Pedroia to a few of his other peers that played in the 2000s and 2010s? Short list off the top of my head:

Robinson Cano, Ian Kinsler, Chase Utley, Brian Roberts, Howie Kendrick, Dan Uggla, Matt Carpenter, Brandon Phillips. Pedroia played from 2007 to 2019, so I am sure I missed some player that played 2nd base during his MLB career. Of this list, the one that really stands out the most in Robinson Cano, he was on the fast track to the HOF before his career took a negative turn. If you take out Cano, in my opinion, Dustin Pedroia was the best 2nd baseman of his era. Plus, I can’t stand Chase Utley, he was a dirty player, a lousy teammate, and does not represent the character the Hall of Fame seems to want representing them. So, from a generational perspective, Pedroia was the best player playing 2nd base while he was active in the Major Leagues. Big check mark there for me.

Pedroia was a 4 time All-Star. He was a 2 time World Series Champion. He won the Rookie of the Year in 2007. Followed that up with an MVP in 2008. He was a 4 time Gold Glove winner. He was a Silver Slugger Award winner. Pedroia was drafted in the 2nd round by the Boston Red Sox and played for only the Boston Red Sox his entire 14 year MLB career. He played parts of 3 seasons in the Minor Leagues before getting called up in 2006 for a cup of coffee with the Red Sox. He is a member of the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame. Above all, Dustin Pedroia was a baseball player – dirty uniform 24/7, diving for baseballs he knew he had no shot to catch or snag, fiery with teammates and opponents alike, tough like someone ten times his physical size, loyal teammate, played every game like it was his last. Many players don the Boston Red Sox uniform, few can claim to have the heart and hustle and baseball talent that Dustin Pedroia had. Pedroia was a player I looked forward to watching live at Fenway Park or on TV every single game, that never wavered once in his 14 year Major League career.

So, with full confidence, I say with all my baseball heart and soul, Dustin Pedroia should be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. One hell of a baseball player!