Al Pedrique, a Venezuelan infielder, began his Major League Baseball career with the New York Mets. He made his debut on April 14, 1987, after being signed by the Mets as an amateur free agent in 1978. Pedrique's time with the Mets was brief, as he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates later that year. It was with the Pirates that he found more playing time, appearing in 88 games during the 1987 season.
Pedrique's role with the Pirates primarily involved playing shortstop, where he demonstrated solid defensive skills. In 1988, he played in 103 games, achieving a batting average of .301, which was the highest of his career. Despite this achievement, his offensive production was limited, with only two home runs and 34 RBIs during that season.
In 1989, Pedrique's playing time with the Pirates decreased, and he was eventually traded to the Detroit Tigers. His stint with the Tigers was short-lived, as he played only 12 games for them before being released. Pedrique's major league playing career concluded with the Tigers, but he continued to play in the minor leagues for several more years.
After retiring as a player, Pedrique transitioned into coaching and managing within the minor league system. He began his managerial career in 2000 with the Arizona Diamondbacks' minor league affiliates. His leadership skills were recognized, and he was promoted to manage the Diamondbacks' Triple-A team, the Tucson Sidewinders, in 2002.
Pedrique's coaching career took a significant turn in 2004 when he was named the interim manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He took over the team mid-season after the firing of Bob Brenly. Although the Diamondbacks struggled that year, finishing with a 22-61 record under Pedrique's management, his experience as a manager in the major leagues was invaluable.
Following his time with the Diamondbacks, Pedrique continued to work in various coaching and managerial roles within Major League Baseball organizations. He served as a coach for the Houston Astros and later joined the New York Yankees organization, where he managed several of their minor league teams. Pedrique's extensive experience in player development and coaching has made him a respected figure in baseball circles.
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