Dustin Pedroia may be the least surprised person of the whole lot.

A major league player? He anticipated it years ago, as far back as a 13-year-old. He thought about it, visualized it, prepared for it.

Never mind that he wasn't drafted out of Woodland High School in 2001. Never mind that his Arizona State baseball coach, Pat Murphy, upon seeing him in person for the first time, declared the kid had a body of a sixth-grader.

Somehow, Pedroia knew better.

Pedroia is The Bee's debut Male Athlete of the Year for what he accomplished in 2008, not to mention a lifelong body of work for one of sport's most diminutive big-game performers. The Boston Red Sox second baseman was named this year's American League MVP. He became the first Sacramento-area native to win baseball's most prestigious individual honor while becoming just the third player to be named Rookie of the Year and MVP in successive seasons.

Pedroia, 25, was Boston's sparkplug, the feisty pest one couldn't get out or keep off the basepaths. It was a theme that has carried over from his Woodland Little League days. Pedroia led the A.L. in runs (118), doubles (54) and multi-hit games (61). He tied Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki for the most hits (213) in the majors. He also won a Gold Glove for defensive excellence.

All of this from a 5-foot-7, 160-pound dynamo who, after being intentionally walked in an August game, drew this comment from Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén: "I never thought I'd have to walk a jockey."

"It's been a great time, a great year," Pedroia told The Bee last week while driving through suburban Chicago with his wife, Kellie, to visit family for the holidays.

"I'm very proud of what I've accomplished. But you know me. I'm not satisfied just yet."

To know Pedroia is to understand his relentless drive. He said he got some of that from his parents, Guy and Debbie. Both coached him at one time or another when he was little. Brother Brett pitched in, too, tossing his kid brother anything to hit in the living room or yard.

All were staples at the family tire shops, including Woodland's Valley Tire, a virtual haven for locals who come in to talk shop – all things Pedroia and Red Sox. Pedroia swept out the place when he was young. He stops by now in the offseason and still reaches for the broom.

Debbie said that as a high school and college tennis player, she was so intent on winning she could not sleep for days if she lost. She sees that now in her son.

"I've always had that drive to do well," Pedroia said. "It's helped me. It's made me. Playing in Boston, it's different. The expectations are different. Fans really expect a lot from you, and that makes you work hard, too. I got a taste of that in Woodland growing up because it was the same thing."

Pedroia said winning the MVP award was a family achievement. He said he is tickled to see his parents bask in the spotlight, though he teases them to ease up on the nerves. Not much chance of that happening, however. Guy and Debbie lean in on every pitch when watching their son play live or on TV. They never miss a game.

"They're more intense, more into it than I am," Pedroia said with a laugh.

Pedroia said his parents also understand the game can take a toll. Yes, it's his passion, Pedroia reminds, but it taxes him. He agonizes over losses. He becomes so stressed his hair tends to fall out, then it returns in the offseason.

The offseason is the one time he allows himself a chance to really distance himself from baseball. He and Kellie, his college sweetheart, like to travel. Pedroia said Kellie has found baseball to be an acquired taste.

"She's learning the game," he said. "She's been great for me because it's not all baseball with her. We have our time together."

Bobby Hawke can vouch for that. Hawke is a lifelong pal of Pedroia's and has seen Pedroia and Kellie together many times.

"When they're at home, they talk about all kinds of things, not baseball, and when the TV comes on, they'll put in a movie, not go right to 'SportsCenter'," Hawke said. "It's not 100 percent baseball all the time, and it's great for Dustin and Kellie."

Hawke said Pedroia is the same guy he's always known, just more famous. Pedroia was a giver years ago, and he is now. When Pedroia was at Arizona State, he volunteered to give his scholarship to an incoming recruit, a friend. Pedroia called his parents, and the running joke was, "Let's just sell a few more tires, OK?"

Last week, Hawke and a host of former Woodland players gathered to chat about Pedroia. Monday, Hawke and his girlfriend will head to the Pedroia home in Chandler, Ariz., to talk about … the latest movies.

"The thing with Dustin, it's the same old Dust," Hawke said. "He's the same guy we all grew up with, and that's what makes all this success he's had so neat."

Pedroia's success was further rewarded earlier this month. The Red Sox signed him to a six-year contract for a reported $40.5 million. Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said at the news conference announcing the signing: "Offensively, what he has accomplished speaks for itself … and we think he is one of the best defensive second basemen in the league."

Still, Pedroia craves more. He wants more team success. And, yes, he wants a broader body. He may never reach 170 pounds, but he's trying. Pedroia said if someone were to see him on the street, "No one would think I was a baseball player."

"But you know what?" Pedroia said. "You don't have to be the biggest guy in this sport. But you do have to work hard, and I know I do."

Call The Bee's Joe Davidson, (916) 321-1280.