He batted .172 in April, yet Dustin Pedroia didn't lose faith -- and today he was rewarded. The Red Sox second baseman was named A.L. Rookie of the Year by baseball writers, easily topping Tampa Bay's Delmon Young. Add that to a World Series win and moving into a new house, and you'd say life is good for the 23-year-old.
"It's...kind of been a dream come true this whole year," Pedroia told the Boston Globe. After quickly moving through the minor leagues prior to this year, he batted .317 with 8 homers and 50 RBI, becoming the first Boston player to win the award since Nomar Garciaparra. Third baseman Ryan Braun of Milwaukee was named the N.L.'s top rookie.