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November 19, 2008
Red Sox second baseman and Jimmy Fund supporter Dustin Pedroia wins AL MVP

The Jimmy Fund congratulates 2008 American League MVP Dustin Pedroia. The Red Sox second baseman is the first Boston player to win the MVP award since Mo Vaughn in 1995. He is the first Boston second baseman ever to win the award.

Pedroia is a strong supporter of the Jimmy Fund. He was this year's Rally Against Cancer^SM spokesperson. In May, he went to Essex Elementary School in Essex where the school's team, called Brodie's Buddies, raised $34,125 for the Jimmy Fund. Brodie Tolo, an Essex boy who is undergoing treatment for leukemia at the Jimmy Fund Clinic at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, has two older brothers who are students at Essex Elementary. Pedroia also visited the John Hancock Long Term Care division in Boston, which topped the business category by raising $16,545.

Pedroia said the Rally Against Cancer "is a great (way) for fans to show support for my two favorite home town teams, the Red Sox and the Jimmy Fund." He added: "I've been to Dana-Farber and seen first-hand how overwhelming and life-altering cancer can be for families and patients. Rally Against Cancer is an easy and fun way for everyone to help the Jimmy Fund, ultimately giving hope to the people who are fighting this awful disease."

Pedroia was also a participant in New Stars for Young Stars. At this event, Pedroia was one of the new stars who signed autographs for fund-raising fans of new and up-and-coming players from the Red Sox organization. Before the public part of the event, Pedroia was one of the players who privately signed autographs for Jimmy Fund Clinic patients and their families. Since 2006, New Stars for Young Stars has raised more than $90,000 for the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber.

Boston first baseman Kevin Youkilis introduced Pedroia to the Jimmy Fund in April 2007. Pedroia was Youkilis' surprise guest during the second annual Rally Against Cancer at Furnace Brook Middle School, which topped the school division contribution with a gift of $16,825. Youkilis thought there was no better way to introduce the then-rookie Pedroia to the Jimmy Fund cause.

Pedroia earned 317 points in the MVP voting. He was named on all but one of the 28 ballots cast by the Baseball Writers Association of America. It has been an award-filled off-season for Pedroia: The second baseman has also won Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.

Dana-Farber congratulates Dustin Pedroia, an MVP for the American League and for his leadership with the Jimmy Fund.

More on Dustin Pedroia's work with the Jimmy Fund:

• Rally Against Cancer^SM hits grand slam
• Red Sox Nation rallies for the Jimmy Fund
• The Rally Against Cancer^SM hits a home run raising more than $375,000 to help the Jimmy Fund strike out cancer
• Tewksbury High School Rallies Against Cancer to support a classmate and the Jimmy Fund and for a chance to meet Red Sox champion Dustin Pedroia