Dustin Pedroia-Born To Play

Book: Born to Play

Author: Dustin Pedroia - Red Sox 2nd Baseman, Rookie of the Year, AL MVP

Normally when athletes write books, they are pretty well established in their sport. Most of the time they have worked their way up to being the top player, have broken many records, or have faced incredible odds in their many years. Most, however, don't write books after just two years in the big leagues.

But that's Dustin Pedroia for you. It doesn't matter what people think he isn't supposed to do, he will just go do it, and that is exactly how his baseball career is explained in his book, Born To Play.

Pedroia, who is the Mogsy of baseball, writes about the challenges that he faced in getting to the big leagues. Always being short, Pedroia was always told that the MLB was out of his reach, that he couldn't make it, and that his arm would never be strong enough.

As one of Pedroia's coaches explains in the book, just telling him he can't is the perfect way to get him to do exactly what you want him to do.

Born to Play, which was released just a two and a half weeks ago, is more than the story of a Major League Baseball player. It is the story of a person who got his way by pushing and shoving to get there. He didn't sit back and let people just watch. Pedroia explains that when things didn't look like they were going to go in his advantage, that he immediately would say something. It didn't matter who the person was, Pedroia always spoke his mind.

This is how Pedroia got a full scholarship to ASU, and how he moved through the minor league system with the Boston Red Sox. Pedroia made his future happen--he didn't leave it to fate.

He worked hard and did what people told him.

In his book, he chronicles his first years playing baseball, obstacles he faced such as a broken leg, a smashed face, and crippling hand. These could tear any player down, but not Pedroia, he always fought back.

That is the best part of the book. It almost makes you laugh at times--to hear this guy talk about how he was cursing at big league scouts.

Overall, the book is a quick and easy read. Would I call it absolutely inspiring? Not the most--but it def. does hit a chord. A good read for any athlete who has ever been told they can't, and a good read for any baseball fan.