Slapping a "C" on someone's jersey is hardly more than a symbolic gesture, as the true captain of a team is typically obvious regardless of any extra fabric — or lackthereof.
Dishing out a "C" is hardly more than a dog and pony show, much on the level of politicians shaking hands and kissing babies.
Now, with all of that said, is there any doubt who the incumbent captain is in the Red Sox clubhouse? If there is, Monday should have gone a long way toward eventually erasing that doubt.
Bobby Valentine's comments about Kevin Youkilis — during which he said that the third baseman is not "as physically or emotionally into the game as he has been in the past" — were likely misinterpreted. The Boston skipper claims such, and it's reasonable to think that Valentine's reputation superseded what he was really getting at.
But Pedroia — having the back of his teammate of six-plus seasons — came rushing to Youkilis' defense, questioning Valentine's motive, and in the process showing that there does exist some sense of camaraderie amongst the players in the locker room.
"I don't really understand what Bobby's trying to do, but that's really not the way we go about our stuff here," Pedroia said. "I'm sure he'll figure that out soon."
Pedroia is probably right; Valentine will figure it out soon.
He'll figure out what sparks controversy in this town. He'll figure out what types of comments will elicit the biggest responses. And he'll figure out what kinds of responses will be elicited. For that, the Boston skipper deserves a free pass on this one, even if his comments were a momentary hiccup in what was a three-game winning streak.
But what Valentine — and everyone else, for that matter — should have already figured out is who the undeniable captain is now that Jason Varitek has hung up his cleats. And Pedroia is the guy.
Good leaders — and captains — lead both by example and in the way they conduct themselves, and it's obvious that Pedroia excels in both departments. Watching him play the game with grit, while also holding himself, his teammates — and now his manager — accountable for all that goes on is nothing new. But on Monday, a day that seemed destined to go awry from the start, Pedroia helped turn the entire fiasco into something that could eventually build team chemistry within the clubhouse.
It'd be easy to say "Valentine lost the players' trust," but that'd also be a knee-jerk reaction, as there's little way of telling how this minor setback will impact the club two, three, six months down the line. But what's already completely obvious is the impact that Pedroia has had, both on the field and off it, and those contributions have been nothing but positive since Day 1.
Even the mild-mannered Adrian Gonzalez followed in Pedroia's footsteps Monday, demonstrating his support for Youkilis and the necessity to stick up for teammates.
"It's about being out and pulling for each other on the field and in this clubhouse," Gonzalez said "We're nice to each more time than we're not, so we've created a pretty strong bond. We know what each player is all about, and we know that Youk is a guy that is 100 percent devoted."
Despite what seems to be common conception, the recent misunderstanding probably doesn't signify some sort of full-fledged clubhouse mutiny. In fact, Monday's dilemma is something that has the potential to be forgotten with one, quick winning streak.
But one lasting takeaway — if it wasn't clear already — is the respect that Pedroia has for his teammates; a respect that is undoubtedly 100 percent mutual, and a respect that's captain status-worthy.
Pedroia again proved that he's what makes the Red Sox tick, he's the guy who other players feed off, and he's the guy who's willing to step up no matter what the situation (on the field or off the field).
Through it all, Pedey doesn't need a "C" on his jersey, but it's certainly warranted.
In fact, save the fabric. Because in the eyes of many, it's already there.
