Dustin Pedroia

Tiny but mighty Dustin Pedroia is my hero. All my life, I have been the smallest kid on the diamond, and many times I thought I had no chance of being good. Every time this thought would pop into my head, I would go and watch highlights of my all-time favorite baseball player and hero Dustin Pedroia and that would motivate me.

He was born in Woodland, California on August 17, 1983. He spent his childhood helping out in his parents' tire shop and playing sports with his older brother Brett. Dustin was always the smallest player on the field, but that didn't stop him from being one of the best. He was not the only one in his family who had some skill at the game of baseball; his brother Brett was a very good player too, but his career was ended when he snapped an ankle in a game. Dustin went through high school murdering the ball and playing some of the best defense in the country. After he went on to graduate and he went to play ball at Arizona State. There he stayed for three years playing the whole time. After that he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox. Over the next few years he worked his way up the minors, until one day he was called up to play. That was the first time ever that he had struggled in a game. He jumped up and down from the minors to the majors for two years. In 2008, he played his first full season ripping the ball like he was a hardened veteran.

Over the years Dustin has had many accomplishments including MVP, golden glove and silver slugger award, rookie of the year, and spokesmen of the Rally Against Cancer. He has had his fair share of hardships too though. When he was in high school it was next to impossible to get noticed by the scouts. To most people this is no big deal, but to a baseball player, these scouts are the reason that you will get a scholarship to a good college. It was also hard for him when he took his best friend's scholarship to the same college, because all his life they had played together. However, this turned out to be a good thing for him and his friend. The both got scholarships and starting positions.

Dustin Pedroia is not a conceited up rich guy. He has a soft heart and will stand up and fight for what he believes. As a young and rising star he was introduced to the Jimmy Fund. Over the years he has helped raise money for different organizations that help kids who have cancer. Every time he hits a home run he donates money to one of his favorite charities. Every year he volunteers to be the spokesperson for the Rally Against Cancer. During the off season he spends a lot of his free time visiting children who have cancer.

Over the years Dustin Pedroia has been living out his dream playing baseball and inspiring everyone who hears about him. The way he plays the game and the way he lives life is the same, when you give it all you have, good things are sure to follow. This man has taught me the power of believing in yourself. He has inspired me to never give up no matter how tall or how short you are.