Dustin Pedroia
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Bristol, CT, USA
The Hartford Courant
9:01 p.m. EDT, July 24, 2013
How’s this for a busy sport day in Greater Boston: Bill Belichick finally addressed the Aaron Hernandez saga in Foxborough, finishing his press conference Wednesday afternoon just before the Red Sox held a briefing at Fenway Park to announce Dustin Pedroia’s $110 million contract extension. Belichick was somber as he talked about a “sad day.” Pedroia was all smiles as he talked about wanting to spend his entire career in Boston. At 29, Pedroia is having a great season and should continue to be productive into his 30s. The Red Sox will be paying him until 2021 and his salary will reportedly top out at $15 million a season. That number is significant for Robinson Cano, who is a free agent after the season. Pedroia is the highest paid second baseman in baseball, but Cano will surely eclipse him this winter.
•As Belichick was answering questions about his organization’s decision to employ Hernandez, Urban Meyer was facing questions about player conduct at Big Ten media day in Chicago. Meyer, the Ohio State coach, was the Florida coach when Hernandez was a Gator. The New York Times reported there were 31 players arrested during Meyer’s tenure at Florida. Eight of 11 questions were focused on off-field discipline and the perception that Meyer is soft. “I don’t worry about my reputation,” Meyer said. “I worry about my players.” … A doctor who reviewed an MRI of Alex Rodriguez’s injured left quadriceps told WFAN’s Mike Francesa he did not see “any sort of injury.” Gross later told the New York Post, “I’ve never examined him. He knows I can’t clear him to play. I wouldn’t even call it a second opinion.”
•The NHL never formally identified Seattle as a top landing spot for a franchise, but deputy commissioner Bill Daly said this week the city — and the entire region — is attractive for the league. Portland, Ore., has also been mentioned as a possible NHL market and Daly did nothing to dispel the idea. “I think it’s safe to say we’re very intrigued by the Pacific Northwest generally,” he said. “Going forward, I would expect that, to the extent expansion comes into the picture or relocation is needed, I’m sure the Pacific Northwest is going to get serious consideration.” … Wrigley Field is getting a makeover. The Chicago City Council approved a $500 million renovation project that will change the look of the 99-year-old ballpark. A 5,700-square-foot video scoreboard will be erected in left field and an advertising sign will go up in right field. Clubhouses will be expanded and a hotel will be built across the street from the park. There’s likely to be some griping from traditionalists, although a few more victories — and maybe a title — should stifle the complaints. … Jeff Malcolm, who led Yale to the NCAA title in April, is set to start his professional career in Hartford. The goalie signed a contract with the AHL Wolf Pack and will compete for a job this fall.
pdoyle@courant.com
Copyright © 2013, The Hartford Courant
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