Pedroia was selected by the Red Sox in the 2004 MLB draft and made his major league debut in 2006.

[6][7][8] Born and raised in Woodland, California, northwest of Sacramento, Pedroia's parents operated a tire shop where they worked 14-hour days.

His football career ended as a freshman quarterback; a hit from future All-Pro NFL linebacker Lance Briggs shattered his ankle.

[12] He was named ASU On Deck Circle Most Valuable Player; other winners have included Ike Davis, Willie Bloomquist, Paul Lo Duca, and Barry Bonds.

[15] After a brief call-up in 2006, when he hit just .191 in 89 at-bats,[16] Pedroia became the regular second baseman for the Red Sox in 2007 replacing Mark Loretta.

[17] He notably made a diving stop to preserve fellow rookie Clay Buchholz's no-hitter on September 1.

Pedroia performed very well during the 2008 regular season, and received AL MVP, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.

[5] 2008 was also Pedroia's most productive season on the basepaths; he stole 20 bases in 21 attempts, for baserunning worth 4.9 runs above average.

[31] In the ALCS against the Tampa Bay Rays, Pedroia collected nine hits in 26 plate appearances, including three home runs and a double.

The rest of the team struggled to a .234 batting average against the Tampa pitching staff, and the Red Sox lost the series.

[33] Pedroia announced on December 15, 2008, that he would play for the United States team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

He recorded the first Major League hit in Citi Field history during an April 3 exhibition game against the Mets.

However, Pedroia had to withdraw from the team to stay with his wife Kelli, who was experiencing pregnancy complications with the couple's first child.

"[37][38] On June 24, 2010, Pedroia went 5 for 5, with 5 RBI, and hit three home runs in a game against the Rockies that the Red Sox won, 13–11, in the tenth inning.

Pedroia was under doctor's orders not to put weight on his injured foot for two weeks, but continued to practice fielding grounders while on his knees.

[40] Pedroia was named to be a reserve player on the 2010 AL All Star team, but did not participate due to this injury, and had former Arizona State teammate Ian Kinsler replace him on the roster.

[25][29] On September 30, 2012, Pedroia broke his left ring finger but, after being reassured the injury would not degrade with use, he made the decision to play through the pain in the following season-ending series at Yankee Stadium.

[44] Pedroia was represented in negotiations by Sam Levinson and Seth Levinson of ACES Inc. Pedroia bounced back from his injury-affected 2012 season to become the only player on the Red Sox to play more than 150 games during the team's 2013 regular season, playing in 160 games.

In November 2013, Pedroia underwent thumb surgery to repair a torn UCL, an injury he suffered when sliding to first base on opening day.

[49] Pedroia began the 2015 MLB season with two home runs in the Red Sox opening game, on the road at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia.

[54] The Red Sox finished the 2016 season with a 93–69 record, clinching the AL East division, but were swept in three games by the Indians in the 2016 ALDS.

[58] Limited to 105 games, Pedroia finished the 2017 Red Sox season with a .293 batting average, 7 home runs, and 62 RBI.

On October 25, it was revealed that Pedroia underwent surgery on his knee for a complete cartilage restoration, meaning that he would miss the start of the 2018 season.

[59] Following his late 2017 knee surgery, Pedroia started the 2018 Red Sox season on the disabled list.

[63] The Red Sox finished the year 108–54 and went on to win the World Series over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

[85] Having last played in MLB in 2019, Pedroia will be eligible to appear on the ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2025, expected to be distributed to BBWAA voters in late 2024.

[102] Pedroia has garnered multiple nicknames during his time in Boston, including Pedey, the Laser Show,[103] and the Muddy Chicken.

[12] In a 2009 interview given to Boston magazine, Pedroia criticized his hometown of Woodland, California, calling it a "dump" and a city that never embraced him.

"[121] Pedroia has authored an autobiography, and a children's book about Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster as a continuation of a series started by Jerry Remy: