Pedey: 'I want to be a Red Sox my whole career'

Frank Gunn—AP

Dustin Pedroia, in a wide-ranging interview with WEEI 93.7 FM, made it clear that he wants to finish his career right here in Boston. The former MVP and Rookie of the Year talked about "regrets" he has about some of his actions during this lost season. But, he insists, "I look in the mirror every day and at the end of the season I'm going to look back and say I did everything I could to help us win."

The second baseman (who has earned the endearing monikers Laser Show, Muddy Chicken and El Caballito) appears to be setting the framework for a greater leadership role on the post-2012 Red Sox. As WEEI's Rob Bradford points out, Pedroia wanted to directly address four specific issues that have dogged him this year: 1.) the comment about Bobby V. not knowing how 'things were done here' in the wake of the Youk controversy; 2.) the meeting in New York that appeared to be an ambush by players to fire the manager; 3.) the photo of Bobby V. sleeping with Pedroia mocking him; and 4.) the funeral of Johnny Pesky. In order, Pedroia said  1.) 'I was trying to get Youk's back' and it came out wrong; 2.) 'my comments' had nothing to  with Bobby; 3.) 'I was trying to keep a loose atmosphere'; and 4.) I had to take care of 'Dylan, who's 3-years-old' for his pregnant wife. He acknowledged, "When you look back, yeah, it looks bad, but I had no intentions of disrespecting anybody. That's all I can say."

Pedroia obviously cares enough about all of us in This Red Sox Thing (apologies to Diane Keaton/Kay Adams-Corleone). Given his approach to the game, his history and his performance, he has to be given the benefit of the doubt. With 2012 behind him, we can look with confidence to Pedroia being a true team leader.