Dustin Pedroia: Wife Kelli Pedroia Causes All-Star Absence

by Jon Azpiri | July 12, 2009 at 11:00 am

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Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox will miss this year's All-Star Game to be with his wife Kelli Pedroia, who is currently in hospital due to a difficult pregnancy.

Dustin Pedroia missed a recent game against the Oakland A's after Kelli Pedroia went into premature labor. Doctors were able to stabilize Dustin Pedroia's wife, who is set to give birth at the end of August. Pedroia decided it would be best to spend the All-Star break with his wife.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona helped convince Pedroia to miss the All-Star festivities in St. Louis.

"Real tough," Francona said. "Probably tougher than even people realize. Because of his character, he was really having a tough time. I hope when it came down to it, I actually hope I influenced him. I'm not taking credit, but I hope I did.

"Yesterday, I said, 'Pedey, look. What's the worst-case scenario if you don't go to the All-Star Game?' He said, 'Well, I'm mad.' I said, 'What's the worst-case scenario if you go and Kelli is not ... ' And he said, 'I can't go.

Kelli Pedroia has had health problems in the past. When she was 18, she was diagnosed with melanoma and now works with the Melanoma Foundation of New England to raise awareness about skin care.

Here is a slideshow of Kelli Pedroia photos.