If the Red Sox thought the contract extension they gave Dustin Pedroia would keep him in Boston for the rest of his career, they may have actually underestimated the tenacity that made the diminutive second baseman a star. "I dont know if Ill be done by then, man. I feel good, dude," he said after signing an eight-year, $110 million contract extension that would keep him in a Red Sox uniform until the age of 38. "Maybe I havent had my growth spurt, and Ill get taller." The Red Sox announced their new deal with the 2008 AL MVP before Wednesday nights game against the Tampa Bay Rays. At a table set up in front of the teams dugout, general manager Ben Cherington, manager John Farrell and Pedroia talked about his contributions as a hitter and fielder but also as a leader in the clubhouse. "Hes the straw that stirs the drink," Farrell said. "He sets the tone for our workday. Theres a pretty strong sentiment that if you practice at full speed, youre going to become a better player." Pedroia had been scheduled to receive $10 million next season under his old deal, which also had an option for 15 at $11 million. The new deal starts next season and runs through 2021. "This place is the only place Ive known since I started playing professional baseball, and its my home," said Pedroia, who was selected by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2004 draft. "I cant wait to be here and put on that uniform every day. It means a lot to me to be with my teammates and represent the city in the right way." A 5-foot-8, 165-pound infielder who was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2007, when the Red Sox won their second World Series in four seasons, and MVP the next year, Pedroia has grown into his role as a team leader. Cherington said that was the reason the team agreed to the long-term deal -- reportedly with a full no-trade clause. "This contract does represent an exception for us, and as we told Dustin in spring training, hes absolutely the right person to make an exception for," Cherington said. "It was the right thing to keep him here, hopefully for the rest of his career. I just know were happy hes here, and theres no one wed rather have as our second baseman." As Cherington was speaking, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz walked up and presented Pedroia with second base from the Fenway Park diamond. "This is for you, buddy," he said. Pedroia is batting .306 this season with 25 doubles, six home runs and 58 RBIs. In his seven-year career -- all with the Red Sox -- he has a .303 batting average and an on-base percentage of .371. Cherington said there had been no talk about making Pedroia captain, a role last held by catcher Jason Varitek before he retired in 2012. But thats only because Pedroia doesnt need to have a "C" on his uniform to show that hes a leader. Rays manager Joe Maddon called Pedroia "a guy that plays the game properly, shows up every night, will be there in the difficult moments, will set the right kind of example." "Hes not the tallest guy in the world, but hes like everyman when it comes to this game," Maddon said. "Hes the type of guy that fathers can watch the game with their kid and say, You can be Dustin Pedroia. Regardless of how big you are or not, just play with that type of verb intensity and enthusiasm. Its good for the Red Sox. Its going to make it that much more difficult for us as far as competition." The deal eliminates one uncertainty for a team that could see centre fielder Jacoby Ellsbury become a free agent after the season. Of the position players on the 2007 championship team, only Pedroia, Ellsbury and Ortiz remain. "Ive come up with some guys that left. Theres always that doubt," Pedroia said. "Always, in my heart, I felt like I would always play every game for the Red Sox. Just being here right now, this happening, its pretty special to me and my family." Cheap Vans Shoes Nz . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. Vans Shoes Nz Sale .ca. Kerry, Just watched the shootout in the Coyotes/Leafs game and I have to ask, why was the James van Riemsdyk goal allowed to count? All of the video replays we were shown on TV were inconclusive about whether the puck had entirely crossed the line or not. http://www.cheapvansnz.com/ . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. Wholesale Vans Shoes NZ . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. Vans Shoes Online NZ .ca! Hi Kerry, Its another day and here we are looking at another dubious hit to the head. In this case Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky elbowed Saku Koivu in the head about a second after he dished off the puck to a teammate, knocking him unconscious. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans will have a full complement of running backs Sunday against the Green Bay Packers with both DeMarco Murray and rookie Derrick Henry practicing fully Friday.Murray, the NFLs second-leading rusher, sat out Wednesday to rest his sore toe and was limited Thursday. Henry, the Heisman Trophy winner, strained a calf muscle in pregame warmups last week in San Diego and had not practiced either Wednesday or Thursday.Im ready and I feel good, Henry said. Im very encouraged. I went out there and put a sleeve on it, and it didnt hurt at all. It feels good and Im ready to go. Im glad I got to practice today and get back into the roll of things.Coach Mike Mularkey was encouraged about Henry beinng able to return so quickly.ddddddddddddHes a tough guy and Im very encouraged by it, and I think its good for our football team, Mularkey said.Right tackle Jack Conklin, limited earlier in the week with a right elbow injury, also practiced fully Friday.The Titans (4-5) also expect to have guard Quinton Spain (knee), tight end Delanie Walker (groin) and safety Rashad Johnson (neck) against the Packers (4-4).Only rookie linebacker Aaron Wallace, who has been nursing a sprained shoulder, is questionable.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '