Alex Cora Reveals Why Dustin Pedroia Reunited With Red Sox In Kansas City

The Red Sox were joined by a very special guest for the first leg of their latest road trip.

Dustin Pedroia and his family were in Kansas City over the weekend to catch Boston’s three-game series with the Royals. The legendary second baseman wasn’t strictly spectating at Kauffman Stadium, as he was spotted in the Red Sox dugout before Saturday afternoon’s blowout win.

So, what compelled Pedroia to make the trip from his home in Arizona to KC? Manager Alex Cora provided the backstory.

“He called me last week,” Cora told reporters Saturday, per MassLive. “They had the weekend off as far as sports. He was like, ‘Want me to go to Kansas City?’ I was like, ‘It’s up to you. It’s your family.’ He came here with the boys. Just wanted to be around with Kelli, Mother’s Day. We had a good time yesterday with him. He’s around today.”

As MassLive’s Chris Cotillo pointed out, a connection in the Royals’ dugout also inspired the trip. The 2008 American League MVP’s first professional agent was Bobby Witt, the father of star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.

“He wanted to see the Red Sox, but they wanted to meet Witt, too,” Cora told reporters. “It’s good for the kids. The kids know what’s going on. They know the good players and the bad managers.”

Pedroia and his family were treated to a solid weekend for the Red Sox, who bounced back from Friday’s narrow loss by winning back-to-back games over the Royals.