LYNN

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia didn’t get much sleep Sunday night.

He said it had nothing to do with yesterday’s scheduled announcement of the American League Rookie of the Year Award. Instead, it was because he was busy moving into his new home in Chandler, Ariz.

Pedroia and his wife, Kelli, also were celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary on Sunday. The couple had reason to rejoice again yesterday afternoon when it was officially announced that Pedroia did, in fact, win the American League’s Rookie of the Year Award given by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

From the time Boston selected him in the second round (65th overall) of the 2004 draft until now, Pedroia has exceeded every expectation the organization has placed on him, and yesterday’s announcement confirmed that.

“It’s kind of been a dream come true this whole year,” said Pedroia. “You definitely want to make an impact your first year in the big leagues and establish yourself as an everyday player — a good player. Once the season carried on I started to have some success, and the only thing I cared about was helping the team win because that was our ultimate goal.”

The Red Sox wanted to win the A.L. East title, and they did. They wanted to win the World Series, and they did. Pedroia was a big reason the club accomplished both feats, and for that he was given this honor.

“If you’re dedicated to team goals, then individual goals will come later,” he said. “You’re going to play your best baseball trying to do anything you can to help your team win.”

Pedroia said after winning the World Series he didn’t give too much thought to the notion of possibly being named Rookie of the Year.

“I’m not too big on personal accomplishments,” he said via conference call yesterday afternoon. “I just want to help my team win. There have been some great players to get this award, and it’s been such a fun and exciting year for me and my teammates. I’m so happy for the people who stuck with me through this whole thing. … It’s definitely a huge accomplishment.”

The 24-year-old infielder received 24 of 28 first-place votes and also four second-place votes for a total of 132 points. The Devil Rays’ Delmon Young finished second with 56 points while Royals pitcher Brian Bannister was third with 36. Red Sox pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima also received votes.

“Delmon Young is an unbelievable player,” said Pedroia. “He’s going to have a huge impact for that organization for a long time. He’s definitely worthy of winning this award as much as me or any other guys. … Delmon Young is an outstanding player.”

Pedroia is the sixth Red Sox player to be named Rookie of the Year, and the first since shortstop Nomar Garciaparra in 1997. Other Red Sox players to earn the accolade include first baseman Walt Dropo (1950), pitcher Don Schwall (1961), catcher Carlton Fisk (1972) and outfielder Fred Lynn (1975).

Lynn, who also won the MVP in his rookie season, compared Pedroia’s on-field demeanor to that of former Red Sox shortstop Rick Burleson. The “Rooster” played seven seasons in Boston. He never hit higher than .293 but played with a gritty style, just like Pedroia.

“He’s fun to watch,” said Lynn. “He’s the kind of kid who wears his heart on his sleeve, just like Rooster. You pretty much know how he’s going by just watching him. I’m sure (Pedroia) was a real pepper pot for the ballclub, especially in the clubhouse. It’s really good to see a Red Sox win Rookie of the Year because it’s been a while. [Three players in 32 years] is too long of a dry spell.”

After hitting just .171 in the first 18 games of the regular season, Pedroia finished with a .317 average, including eight home runs and 50 RBI. His average was 10th highest in the A.L. and best ever by a qualifying second baseman. He played in 139 regular-season games and closed out his rookie year with a postseason average of .283, with two homers and 10 RBI in 14 playoff games.

Now that he has a little bit of time to reflect on the season, Pedroia said he’s thankful for the opportunity that GM Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona gave him and for sticking with him even after he struggled at the start of the season.

“My track record spoke for itself,” said Pedroia. “I had a great career in college and my minor-league numbers were good, so I don’t think a player is made in one month. Over a course of 162 games, you find out what a player is made of. Theo, the front office and Tito did an unbelievable job of sticking with me. My teammates were great to stick with me.”

In the Red Sox clubhouse, Pedroia’s locker is between those of veterans Alex Cora and Mike Lowell, both of whom he thanked yesterday for helping him during his first summer in the big leagues.

“I’ve been playing this game for a long time and there have been people who doubted me at every level I’ve been to, saying I’m too small or I’m not fast enough,” said Pedroia. “There have been a lot of people who have stuck by me and knew deep down that there’s something about me that makes me a winning baseball player.”

Pedroia and those close to him have always believed in his ability to play professional baseball. With a World Series championship and now a Rookie of the Year Award, maybe others will finally give him the credit he deserves.

jmcdonal@projo.com