President Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office.”

Taking that a step further, Merriam Websters Dictionary defines the term “integrity” as a noun, meaning an unimpaired condition.

In an article published today by Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan, the unadorned captain of the Boston Red Sox came across as anything but an individual with integrity.

In fact, the excerpts surrounding Dustin Pedroia made him look downright childish.

There is no question that Pedroia was the member of the team that was most affected by the front office’s decision to move on from its previous manager Terry Francona.

Their friendship was no secret. 

In his 2008 book titled Red Sox Rule: Terry Francona and Boston’s Rise to Dominance, writer and local Boston radio host Michael Holley chronicled their relationship in great depth, citing how the duo would play cribbage before every game.

Francona made his affections towards Pedroia well-known.

Naturally the transition to a new manager not named Tito would be difficult for Pedroia. However, treating the new manager with little to no respect whatsoever is beyond insubordination.

It is childish and shameful.

 

No member of this Red Sox team should have a leg to stand on in regards to management. They’ve played awful baseball and don’t deserve any courtesies extended to them.

As a whole, they have not earned the right to complain about Bobby Valentine or any other circumstance in the clubhouse.

September 2011 has seemingly continued to thrive throughout the entire 2012 season. Yes, the chicken and beer have been removed from the clubhouse, but the immaturity and lack of accountability is still just as prevalent today as it was 11 months ago.

In Jeff Passan’s piece, he references a picture message that Pedroia took and shared with his teammates. He writes:

Pedroia, notorious among teammates for his wit and humor, is in the foreground with a giddy smile, his tongue wagging and both thumbs up. Next to him is allegedly Valentine, face down on a table, apparently asleep. A caption accompanies the picture: “Our manager contemplating his lineup at 3:30 p.m.”

This isn’t the first time Pedroia has shown a blatant disrespect for his new manager.

Back in April, whether called for or not, Pedroia went on the record to voice his displeasure with Valentine’s vocalizing his criticisms of Pedroia’s then teammate Kevin Youkilis.

It was first Tweeted by NESN’s Tom Caron:

 

Instead of all this madness surrounding Bobby Valentine, the players, led by Dustin Pedroia should concentrate on the game itself.

When asked by CSNNE’s Joe Haggarty about this whole situation, Pedroia skirted the question:

Dodge, dip, dive, duck and dodge… seems about right.

For the masses who felt that Pedroia should be anointed the next captain of the Red Sox, this irresponsible conduct should serve as a pretty significant notice that he is not captain material.

Sure, he is a prolific second baseman.

That doesn’t make him a leader. Leaders have integrity. What part of anything Pedroia has done this season offers evidence of his integrity?

The prosecution rests.

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