When an unfortunate play by Manny Machado altered Red Sox legend Dustin Pedroia's career

Boston Red Sox legend Dustin Pedroia had a tearful farewell due to Manny Machado. In 2017, Machado slid into Pedroia, causing a series of problems that ultimately caused his All-Star career to end.

In 2021, Sports Boston quoted Pedroia as saying:

"Unfortunately, I just got caught in the wrong position and that was it. But I think I'm at peace with everything knowing that I did my best and the training staff and the doctors did everything we possibly could've to try to continue to play baseball.

"And we made it back. I played nine games when 90 percent of the doctors said there's zero chance you could play. I'm proud of that. The way it ended, it ended that way, and that's OK. I just hope I did enough during the time I had to play to impact everyone. That's the only thing I care about."

"Dustin Pedroia says he has no regrets, and is at peace, holding no grudge towards Manny Machado over the slide in 2017 that basically ended his career. "We made it back. I played 9 games when 90% of the doctors said there's zero chance. ...It's ok.'' - Bob Nightengale

Does Dustin Pedroia still hold a grudge against Manny Machado?

In 2022, when Pedroia's teammate David Ortiz was elected to the Hall of Fame, Pedroia spoke to The Athletic. He discussed his choice not to “take something that could maybe help me out healthwise so I could play a longer career” in light of his injuries. As per Fan Sided:

"One slide deters my career," Pedroia said in reference to the Machado incident.

Boston Red Sox v Baltimore Orioles

Manny Machado made his MLB debut in 2012 with the Baltimore Orioles. On his way to leading the league in doubles (51), Machado enjoyed his breakout season in 2013, earning a position in the American League (AL) All-Star squad. He was also honored with a Gold Glove Award for being among the game's greatest fielders.

Dustin Pedroia was the final member of the 2007 World Series squad to leave the organization. He participated in just nine games in the major leagues over the 2018 and 2019 seasons, and missed the 2018 postseason. He also did not participate in any games during the abbreviated 2020 season.

On February 1, 2021, he made his retirement announcement.