The Nest

Watching them during the season, it was no surprise when Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis took 1st and 3rd in this year’s American League MVP Award voting.

It was also no surprise when, upon hearing the news each was happier for their teammate than themselves.

Dustin took a day off from his winter workout schedule (at the urging of his wife) to make travel plans to accept the award.

The guy who’s been told his whole life he was too small, that he couldn’t compete at the Major League level was going home to collect an MVP trophy.

He would be joined by his infield counterpart, Kevin Youkilis. The versatile Youkilis divided his time between 1st and 3rd this year, filling in when Mike Lowell went down.

Asked about the third place finish, Youkilis said:

“I wouldn’t ever say you lose an MVP race,… It’s more or less finishing in a certain place. Anyone who gets mentioned, that’s a tremendous honor.

This year’s Red Sox team was built on the backs of players like Petey (a nickname used by Francona) and Youk. Hard-nosed play and a willingness to sacrifice for the team were the hallmark of these two kids and the Red Sox as an organization couldn’t be happier with them or for them.

So, does this take a little of the sting of a game 7 loss to the Rays in the ALCS?

Probably not. Job 1 for these guys is to come home with a ring and anything less is failure.

The awards are a great symbol of being recognized for how hard you work and how much of yourself you give to your team and to the game but it’s like icing on a cake you never got to eat.

pedroia youkilis mvp baseball red sox