When Rodríguez made his major league debut with the Texas Rangers in 1992, he became the youngest person to play catcher in a major league game. He immediately established himself as an excellent hitter who was also proficient in throwing out would-be base-stealers.
Although he had the nickname "Pudge" since his youth, Rodríguez was often compared early on to the veteran catcher Carlton Fisk, who was also called "Pudge." Fisk retired early in Rodríguez's career, and fans and sportswriters viewed it as the passing of the torch from one Pudge to another.
When his contract with Texas ran out following the 2002 season, Rodríguez signed with the Florida Marlins for one year. By then a major-league veteran of over a decade, he helped lead a team of talented youngsters to victory in the World Series. In the off-season, he left Florida to sign with the Detroit Tigers.
Rodriguez flirted with the league batting crown for much of the season, provided plenty of extra-base power, and broke Johnny Bench's record by winning his 11th Gold Glove (his caught stealing numbers aren't as good as they once were, but he prevents most runners from attempting to steal in the first place).
Rodriguez has stated that he might be interested in switching to another position over the next few years to cut down on the wear and tear on his body.
Rodriguez had an excellent offensive season, excels at the one part of catching we can measure well and would have been a great candidate in a lot of years.
The rally might have tied the game had not IvanRodriguez, representing the potential tying run, been robbed of an extra-base hit on a running catch by left fielder Raul Ibanez, who usually foils the Tigers with his bat.
IvanRodriguez's two-out RBI single in the 13th inning gave the Detroit Tigers a 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night.
Detroit Tigers catcherIvanRodriguez, left, talks with starting pitcher Kenny Rogers during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, July 14, 2007, in Seattle.
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