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Diamars 2 Februari 2021

Red Sox 2B, 2008 AL MVP Dustin Pedroia retires

(AP) — Red Sox second the title. “He’s been here the
baseman Dustin Pedroia, longest. He’s won two World
who was the AL Rookie of Series. So to have him here
the Year in 2007 and the — it’s always better with him
MVP in his second sea- here than when he’s gone.”
son but played in a total In 2019, Pedroia played just
of nine games in the last six games. He continued to
three years because of a speak of a comeback before
knee injury, retired on having what the Red Sox said
Monday. was a “significant setback”
in the offseason. He did not
A four-time All-Star who was play at all in the pandemic-
the longest-tenured player on shortened 2020 season,
the Red Sox roster, Pedroia “It sucks,” Machado said after
played in two World Series the 2019 setback. “Obviously,
over 17 seasons and collected he could down as one of the
a third ring in 2018, when he greatest Red Sox to play this
was injured. In his career, he game.”
batted .299 with 140 homers
and 725 RBIs. Notes: Pedroia has one sea-
“Dustin came to represent son remaining in a $110
the kind of grit, passion, million, eight-year contract.
and competitive drive that accomplish with determina- their entire career. rushing back in 2018, when Of his $12 million salary for
resonates with baseball fans tion and hard work.” But his career effectively he lasted only three games 2021, $2.5 million is deferred
everywhere and especially Pedroia, 37, is the only player ended early in the 2017 sea- before going back on the in- without interest and payable
with Red Sox fans,” Red Sox ever to earn Rookie of the son when Baltimore’s Man- jured list. on July 15, 2028. His contract
owner John Henry said. “We Year, Gold Glove and MVP ny Machado slid into second “He’s the heart and soul of called for deferred payments
are forever grateful to him for awards along with a World base, spikes-up, and con- this team,” infielder Brock for previous salaries of $2
what he brought to our club Series championship in his nected with Pedroia’s left leg. Holt said before the World million each on July 15 this
and to our region as an im- first two full seasons. Only Pedroia played in 105 games Series, after the Red Sox won year and in 2022, 2023 and
portant role model showing nine other players have ac- that year but had surgery a franchise-record 108 regu- 2024, and $2.5 million each
all of us how much one can complished those feats in afterward; he admitted to lar-season games en route to in 2025, 2026 and 2027.

Revamped, ranked: Florida finding new path without Johnson

of the Year award. The Ga- with Keyontae, of course. A a change that’s working as
tors (10-4, 6-3 SEC) have lot of people are having to well as putting speedy point
learned to play — and win make adjustments, and we guards Tre Mann and Tyree
— without their best player are making significant ad- Appleby in the starting line-
and within a completely re- justments. up together.
vamped system. “It’s easy to say, ‘Well, let’s “If you combine our wing-
“We’re scoring a little better just play this way to win.’ spans, it’s crazy,” Castleton
on the interior, better than You don’t really have time. said. The Gators entered the
we have in a long time here,” We’re not given another pre- season wanting to play faster
White said. “It’s opened season. So, again, we came than they ever have under
some things up.” back from Christmas and White. The plan was to push
White is being modest. Flor- you’re balancing changing and press, hoping to get
ida has won four in a row, what you’re doing, your of- more easy baskets in transi-
including a 26-point victory fensive and defensive phi- tion. Tempo remains a huge
at home against No. 6 Ten- losophies, while you’re bal- part of what Florida is do-
nessee and a five-point win ancing the next scouting ing, with Mann and Appleby
at No. 11 West Virginia. The report. … It’s just been one running the show.
streak got the Gators ranked game after another, so, yeah, White wants his team get-
Monday for the first time in very challenging for obvious ting up a shot in the first
(AP) — Florida coach the scheme the Gators had more than 14 months. reasons.” eight seconds of the posses-
Mike White makes in- honed throughout summer They entered the Associated Florida hosts South Carolina sion. If not, then the Gators
season adjustments reg- workouts, training camp Press men’s college basket- (4-6, 2-4) on Wednesday be- settle into their offense and
ularly. A tweak here, a and the first few weeks of ball poll at No. 22, their first fore playing three of its next pound the ball down low to
wrinkle there. Just some- the season. They installed Top 25 ranking since Nov. four on the road, a daunting Castleton and Payne. That
thing to give opponents a a heavy dose of ball-screen 25, 2019. Getting back has stretch that includes trips to inside-out play has result-
different look. action, with big men pick- been a tough road, no pot- LSU, Tennessee and Arkan- ed in more open looks for
ing and rolling to the basket hole more daunting than sas. sharp-shooter Noah Locke
It’s expected, really. early and often. seeing Johnson slam face- No one would be surprised as well as fellow guard Scot-
But after standout forward It was a bold move that came first onto the floor at Florida to see the new-look Ga- tie Lewis.
Keyontae Johnson collapsed after an honest assessment State on Dec. 12 and then tors win any or all of them. “Everybody’s focus has
on the court in early De- of White’s roster, a self-scout spending the next two weeks They are averaging 82.5 been, like, amazing,” Apple-
cember and was hospitalized that showed Florida had no wondering about his health points during their modest by said. “Coach came into
for 10 nights, White and his one to aptly fill Johnson’s and future. winning streak, getting con- practice, told us that we had
staff literally went back to role. “It’s been very difficult,” sistent contributions from to revamp some things. Just
the drawing board. They It now looks like the best White said. “I don’t want Michigan transfer Colin being locked in and focused
scrapped everything. decision of White’s six-year to sit here and moan about Castleton and fellow for- and everything, I think that’s
They flushed the dribble- tenure in Gainesville, one it, though. We’re all going ward Omar Payne. what helped everybody just
drive offense that was de- that should garner him con- through stuff. Ours is par- White’s retooled lineup stay on the right track and
signed to take advantage of sideration for the South- ticularly unique with the has the big men often on learn what we had to do to
Johnson’s slashing strengths, eastern Conference’s Coach trauma that these guys faced the court at the same time, be better.”