How do I feel about Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia succeeding Alex Rodriguez as this year’s AL MVP? Let me tell you a story.
Earlier this year, somebody I know – let’s call him “AB” – kept on running his mouth about how the Yankees were not going to make the playoffs. Even in the spring, he insisted that they looked terrible, and that this would not be a good year for them. Mind you, this person wasn’t a Yankee-hater by any means – he just thought that this team wasn’t very good.
Meanwhile, I was so sure back then that the great Joe Girardi would lead the Yanks to their 27th World Championship, that I was willing to make a bet on it. So I told AB to put his money where his mouth was, so to speak, and do his prediction in writing.
Which he did. On the back of the March 24 sheet in the 2008 Bad Cat Page-a-Day Calendar. Here’s what he scribbled:
“The Yankees will not make the playoffs in 2008. – AB”
Incidentally, the picture on the front of the calendar for that date is of a very peeved-looking cat named Yogi wearing a White Sox cap. Wonder if that cat lost a bet, too, the way I did.
Fortunately, although AB and I had talked at the time about betting money or a dinner, we never ended up wagering anything of value, other than pride. And I didn’t even have to wear anything embarrassing over it. (Speaking of which, Squawker Jon and I bet eight years ago that he would have to wear Yankee gear for a day if the Mets lost the Subway Series. I’m still waiting for him to do it.)
So yeah, the bet didn’t cost me anything but pride. But the pride thing was enough. I hate being wrong. And I hate that AB was right. And I hate that I have it all in writing.
Kind of like how I hate that the annoying Dustin Pedroia, last year’s Rookie of the Year, is now MVP. And that his also-annoying teammate Kevin Youkilis finished third. And that both of these very good, albeit obnoxious players, are Boston’s homegrown products.
True, all this doesn’t cost me anything, but still. Knowing that Red Sox Nation has something to cheer about is enough to tick me off!
But what do you think about the Pedroia choice? Leave us a comment.
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