BOSTON -- Even though Red Sox All-Star second baseman Dustin Pedroia has played at Fenway Park for the past five seasons, it has always been a challenge for him to figure out the infield at the storied ballpark.

It was considered one of the worst and most inconsistent infields in the majors, so the Red Sox replaced it before this season, and the initial feedback has been positive.

Case in point: During Friday’s home opener, the Yankees’ Robinson Cano smoked a grounder at Pedroia, and the second baseman thought it would take a bad hop as it did so many times in the past. Then Pedroia realized the ball was staying down and he was able to make a routine play.

Though there have been only two games played on the new infield, many Red Sox players have noticed a big difference, saying it’s more consistent, with truer hops, and the ball is rolling better.

The Red Sox learned during Game 3 of the ALDS in 2009 that home-field advantage was a tricky thing at Fenway Park. Boston was down 0-2 in the five-game series and on the verge of forcing a Game 4. However, the Angels' Erick Aybar slapped a single up the middle to start a two-out, ninth-inning rally against the Red Sox and closer Jonathan Papelbon. It should have been an easy play, but the ball skipped past Pedroia. That hit led to a three-run rally, and a 7-6 victory, as the Angels won the series and ended Boston’s season.

After that game, Pedroia called Fenway “the worst infield in the majors,” and now, two seasons later, he and many of his teammates believe it’s become one of the best.

“It’s sick,” Pedroia said of the improvements.

Since Kevin Youkilis’ rookie season in 2004, the Fenway infield has steadily improved. In fact, when he first came up, the infield was still crowned to help drainage.

“It’s phenomenal now. They’ve done a great job and finally got it right,” Youkilis said. “A lot of hard work from the grounds crew and a lot of input from the players and management.

“It was one of the worst. There were a lot of great players who came in here and did not look good. Fans got upset and the media bashed guys like Edgar Renteria. I’m not saying the field is the only reason, but it was a big reason why guys were struggling a little bit. It was a tough infield.”

Dave Mellor, the director of grounds at Fenway Park, has had an open line of communication with the players and knew there were concerns about the playing surface. Red Sox ownership also stepped up and answered with an entirely new infield.

“We’re very appreciative, because it was rough before,” Youkilis said.

There are five ballparks in the big leagues with similar infields, including Philadelphia, Cleveland, Washington, Milwaukee and Yankee Stadium. The clay used is for colder climates because it holds together better.

“I think it looks beautiful,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “The texture of the dirt is really good and I think it’ll get better as we get into a couple of home stands and it gets played on. Everybody was really excited.”

Pedroia stood near first base before Saturday’s game against the Yankees and explained the difference, saying the texture of the dirt is fine and doesn't leave clumpy mounds of clay.

“The hardest thing for players is the inconsistency,” Francona said. “When I walked it yesterday, it had a real nice texture to it. How’s it going to hold up? We’re one day in and Dave Mellor needs some days, too. He needs to check with everybody and see how it plays and how it digs up. The initial reviews were really good.”