TAMPA, Fla. — The little guy with the big bat is one of the most popular players in the majors, even in enemy territory.
Boston's Dustin Pedroia, the hard-nosed, gritty second baseman who plays with an edge that motivates teammates and inspires the littlest of little leaguers to try their hardest, has appeal these days no matter where he is.
Earlier in the week, in fact, while at the Yankees training site speaking with former New York great, Reggie Jackson, Pedroia was interrupted by Yankees fans who wanted an autograph.
Not Jackson's. Pedroia's.
"I think it's great," Pedroia said. "If you are a Red Sox fan or a Yankees fan, if you play the game the right way, there's mutual respect. Don't get me wrong, you want to beat them because you are competitive, but the respect level for those guys is through the roof."