AS THE CLUBHOUSE TURNS: PEDROIA POUNDS HIS CHEST; PROCLAIMS HE'S THE LEADER

Dustin Pedroia finally spoke up. When the Red Sox returned to the Fenway to open a 10-game home-stand - which David Price will not be participating in, isn't that convenient, the Laser Show held court in front of his locker explaining to the media why he is a leader. Sorry, Dustin but if you have to plead that you are a leader, you are not a leader. 

Pedroia is a leader, though. "Leading by example" has become an over-used euphemism for people in any field but in this situation it completely describes the tireless preparation, dedication and effort he brings to the ball-club day in and day out. But right now that's not what the team needs. 

At this current moment, the Red Sox don't need someone to lead by example. They already have a bunch of those - Mookie Betts, Chris Sale, Sandy Leon and Christian Vazquez. Guys who just go out there and do their job. But that is not what they need right now. 

Their need right now is obvious. They need someone to pull "Pitcher Dave" aside and ask have a one-on-one conversation. They need someone to show him that there are a bunch of young guys on this team (Andrew Benintendi, Deven Marrero and Rafael Devers) who are looking up to the veterans - the guys that have been here before - and his behavior is inappropriate. It's inappropriate to be calling out a Hall of Famer and well-respected local and national color-commentator in Dennis Eckersley. It's inappropriate to get into a screaming match with another reporter in the locker room (Evan Drellich). The young guys are watching, learning and will mimic this behavior. We, as a veterans, can't let them think this is how a Major Leaguer deals with the tough pressure of the media. 

The Red Sox need that type of guy and it has to be a player. It'd be nice if John Farrell pulled "Pitcher Dave" into is office or Dave Dombrowski pulled him aside and had a word with him but it would not be the same. Farrell and Dombrowski are Price's superiors. They are his bosses. This conversation needs to come for a peer, a player. It will mean more - well it should mean more. 

Pedroia spoke to a group of media members before Friday night's game. He explained they "obviously talked about it" and Pedroia is "sure [Price] is going to have a conversation with Eck whenever he sees him -- he hasn't seen him since that [incident]." 

He went on to rhetorically ask the media "see anybody else standing up here doing this, do you? Nope." It's great Pedroia talked with Price but after talking with Pedroia, Price had a duty to go in front of the media to address the situation and fall on his sword then everything would be put to bed and done. But this didn't happen. "Pitcher Dave" has not addressed the situation himself. He's now conveniently hiding behind a sore elbow that landed him on the 10-day D.L. 

Pedroia's a great leader but he's not the type of leader the team needs right now. He's too "rough around the edges." It's what fans love about him. Fans love the grittiness he brings to the table but he doesn't have the most approachable appearance.

David Ortiz looked approachable. Former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi looked approachable. Mo Vaughn, former Celtic and UConn guard Ray Allen, Tim Wakefield and Mike Lowell looked approachable. Patriots special teamer Matthew Slater also looks approachable. Guys like Pedroia, Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson just don't look like guys who young guys and new guys would feel comfortable going to.

EDITOR'S NOTE: To Dustin, leadership is not about being in charge or seniority. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.