I would agree that it's hard to name a lot of great #2 hitters.
On the other hand, were Manny and Papi great #3 hitters or great #4 hitters?
The fact is they swapped those spots quite a bit.
Just like JDM has been doing while he's been with us.
I would say no. Certainly not now.
Once upon a time you might say there was some mystique attached to the great leadoff hitters and base stealers like Lou Brock and Rickey Henderson.
I don't know if I would call it a prestige in batting leadoff. There's a common perception based on history that the leadoff hitter is a guy with some speed and an ability to get on base - the 'table-setter'.
Cora thought that Mookie would get more RBI opportunities batting second. That's pretty simple, really.
Mookie might have a psychological thing where he feels better hitting first, though.
What's funny about that statement by Nick is that we have a solid zero number of chicks on this site who dig the long ball. We're zero for one LOL
So there's no chance of corroboration whatsoever.
If you were Pedroia, or any sane individual, would you agree to defer money you were due to receive over the next 2 years until the year 2048 or so?
You're really asking a lot of the guy in order to save his owner a bit of tax.