Dan Tobin: Masochist or hero?

Pedroia hurt.

Knowing that Dustin Pedroia is sticking around for awhile.

Dustin Pedroia was named the 2008 AL MVP by the MLB Sportswriters today. This is only the third time that a player has won the Rookie of Year award and then the league MVP award in back-to-back seasons. The other two players to do so were Cal Ripken, Jr. and Ryan Howard. In his two years in the league, Pedroia has now won Rookie of the Year, a World Series ring, a Golden Glove, a Silver Slugger, and MVP. Teammate Kevin Youkilis came in third in the voting behind Minnesota's Justin Morneau.

Pedroia!

Jerks.

Even aside from the fact that we don't ever have to see them wearing salmon jackets against dusky rose backgrounds (or whatever the hell that was), they don't make up crappy nicknames for Sox players.

Teddy Kokoros writes that Michael Bowden reminds him of Keith Foulke with a better fastball; and that he loved his badass demeanor on the mound.

Jeff Louderbeck, meanwhile, notes the "MVP!" chants during Dustin Pedroia's at bats.

President of awesome, that is?

Beth recaps his first ejection, along with all the hot Coco action in the outfield.

Kristen considers Matsuzaka's performance:

... Honestly, "pitching out of jams all night" should probably be Matsuzaka's middle name. So much does he love loading the bases and working full counts and walking guys that, by all reason, should have struck out, that it's a wonder to me that he's actually 15-2. Which is also why I called Lester the team's ace yesterday. It's just...even Tito thinks watching Matsuzaka pitch is frustrating. That was his word, "frustrating." Probably because you can't swear on TV. Unless you're Josh Beckett apparently. ...