Pedroia said he has met with new manager Bobby Valentine a couple of times. “From what I hear he is thinking about baseball nonstop and thinking about fundamentals and getting this team where it needs to be. It’s going to be exciting,” he said.
Some other things Pedroia spoke about today:
On how to put last year behind: “Play the game the right way That’s basically it. I don’t have answers to what went on last year. Last year is over. It was tough. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about it. You have to try to turn the page and not think about it and play well and play for your teammates.”
On Ortiz: “It’s 100 degrees and he has a beanie on.”
On playing alongside a new shortstop: “It’s gonna be fine. Scut (Marco Scutaro) did a great job but we have Mike (Aviles) and Nick (Punto) step up and play good ball for us. We’ll be fine.”
Concerning his offseason conditioning: “I was trying to straight body-build man. I hit cage bombs.”
On being at a camp without Terry Francona: “It’s different. It’s the only thing I’ve known. Things change. It’s tough to see him go especially the way it ended. He’ll always be a close friend whatever he chooses to do forward, I’m pulling for him.”
On Jacoby Ellsbury: “He had an unbelievable year. We need him to do the same thing. I get on him all the time and tell him anybody can do it once. He’ll be fine. He’s motivated, trust me.”
