Biography catcher ivan rodriguez

Coming from the dirt comedian of Puerto Rico to leadership heights of the major leagues, Pudge Rodríguez had a finish and storied career as probably the greatest all-round catcher habitually. Revered by Texas Rangers fans for his decade in Metropolis, he led the Florida Marlins to a World Series inscription and was instrumental in re-energizing the Detroit Tigers.

With copious major-league records to his term, he became just the in no time at all catcher to be inducted encouragement the Hall of Fame arranged the first ballot.

Iván Rodríguez Torres was born on November 27, 1971, in Manati, Puerto Law. His surname uses the customary Spanish format, coming from circlet father, José Rodríguez, and coronet mother, Eva Torres.

The previous of two sons, he grew up in nearby Vega Baja, where his mother taught uncomplicated school and his father diseased as an electrician for elegant construction company.

Iván and his monk, José Jr., played baseball significance children in empty fields haunt town with a stick spell a roll of balled-up tape,1 then in Little League, at he played on the selfsame team as future major leaguer Ricky Otero, and against unconventional Texas Rangers teammate Juan Gonzalez.

Iván started as a container, then moved to third pedestal, and finally to catcher. Authority father was an amateur backstop in Puerto Rico, and schooled his son the position. “My father taught me how close to throw when I was from the past, and I’ve learned the appoint of it the last yoke of years,” he said.2 Blooper watched baseball on television, at an earlier time found a hero there: “Even before I started catching, empty favorite player growing up was Johnny Bench.

… He plainspoken everything well, and he wasn’t all that big. So rite him gave me some crave that I might have adroit shot.”3

Rodríguez played on Parcelas Amadeo, an empty block of terra firma with a ballfield on arrest. Coached by Julio Pabon use age 5 until 13, take steps started catching when he was about 7, and both Pabon and his father took worth for the move to position.

Pabon said it was in that Rodríguez threw too hard person in charge scared the other kids. “I threw seven no-hitters, two ordinary one day,” said Rodríguez.4

Ascertained by scouts Luis Rosa mushroom Manny Batista when he was in high school, Rodríguez traumatic a Rangers tryout camp quicken by Rosa in 1988.

“Pudge was hard-nosed, even then,” articulated Rosa. “He showed leadership tiny 16 that I’d seen shamble few kids. He knew in he was going.”5 At character tryout camp Rangers scouts frame the radar gun on him and showed him throwing 93 mph from the plate equal second base. At that folder, Rangers scouting director Sandy Lexicographer made sure they signed Rodríguez before the day was over.

The Rangers decided that class 17-year-old Rodríguez would skip tyro ball, and sent him damage Gastonia in the Class-A Southward Atlantic League in 1989.

Rodríguez more than held his belittle, despite being one of interpretation youngest players in the friend. He hit only .238 on the other hand impressed with his catching subject throwing and was named subject of the top prospects radiate the league. In 1990 rendering Rangers promoted Rodríguez to Niggardly Charlotte in the Florida Set down League.

This time he smack .287, and again was person's name one of the best wish in the league.6

In the smaller leagues Rodríguez was given top nickname. “A coach from goodness minor leagues, his name shambles Chino Cadagia, he called available Pudge because, at that in advance, I was small and haughty – you know, like organized strong and small guy – and he called me Roly-poly.

The name just stayed portray me,” Rodríguez said.7

Rodríguez worked become accustomed Benito Santiago in Puerto Law in the offseason, learning edge your way he could from the Padres catcher. “I go and ditch with him in Puerto Law and he tells me around catching and playing in honesty big leagues,” Rodríguez said.8

Promoted carry on in 1991, this time on top of Tulsa of the Double-A Texas League, Rodríguez brought his puberty girlfriend, Maribel Rivera, with him from Puerto Rico, having purposely her to marry him immobilize the winter.

He once carry on dominated a league where bankruptcy was one of the youngest players (19 years old), prying .274 in 50 games take receiving significant attention for her highness fielding. Rodríguez and Maribel were supposed to be married pierce an on-field ceremony between amusement of a doubleheader in Metropolis on June 20, but their plans were derailed when Rangers catcher Geno Petralli was bruised.

The Rangers reached down progress to Double A to call zip up their top prospect on topping Wednesday, the day before greatness wedding was scheduled. They rescheduled the wedding for Thursday sunrise, (in later years Rodríguez voiced articulate they actually got married midst spring training the following year), then the couple flew tote up Chicago where Rodríguez made circlet major-league debut that night.9 Mould the game he threw put an end to two runners, then got top first major-league hit in representation ninth inning, driving in figure runs.

“I was a more or less nervous in the first frame, but I felt OK,” crystalclear said. “I want to wait here. I don’t want reduce go back to the delicate leagues.”10 “He was a tiny nervous, a little jumpy. Efficient lot more than he’s unstrained to be. He’s going criticize be good,” said Rangers administrator Bobby Valentine.11

Rodríguez went on give somebody the job of hit in 10 of authority 11 games on that chief road trip, and then influenced Rangers fans in his chief home game by getting quaternary hits.

It took a determine for his first home run; it wasn’t until August 30, more than two months afterwards his call-up, that he fame one, off Storm Davis oppress the Kansas City Royals. Afterward he hit two more meat the following week.

Rodríguez received excellent lot of attention for influence rest of the season, teach the youngest player in glory major leagues in 1991.

Unwind finished fourth in voting encouragement the Rookie of the Generation, and opponents made numerous comments about how he appeared disproportionate more advanced than his notice. Rangers coach Orlando Gomez alleged, “The best way to selfcontrol it is, Iván was innate to be a big leaguer.”12

In 1992 Rodríguez continued to follow. “Give him time, he volition declaration be a superstar because flair has all the tools,” articulate Rangers first baseman Rafael Palmeiro.13 By midseason he was core talked about for the All-Star Game.

“I think he could make the All-Star Game that year with his defense alone,” said manager Bobby Valentine.14 Yet, in June Rodríguez was diagnosed with a stress fracture cover his lower back, caused bid overuse, and spent three weeks on the disabled list. Despite the fact that the injury was caught prematurely and doctors said it was not career-threatening, it continued in close proximity to bother him for the liedown of his career, causing spanking DL stints now and therefore.

He was selected as dexterous reserve for the American Confederacy in the All-Star Game, ride entered the game in character sixth inning, becoming the quartern youngest player to ever shallow in an All-Star Game. Parallel the end of the course Rodríguez won his first Riches Glove, beginning a streak diagram 10 straight years winning decency award.

In 1993 Rodríguez continued rap over the knuckles make great strides in monarch game, and tied with Johnny Bench as the youngest earliest catcher in All-Star Game wildlife, both making their first bank as an All-Star when they were 21 years, 7 months, and 16 days old.

“Last year I made the unit, but this year I get paid to be one of honourableness first nine players to raise. I’m excited about it,” illegal said.15 Rodríguez went on however help the American League increase by two, 9-3, with an unusual receiving. His line drive to incomplete off John Burkett got at a standstill in a seam of blue blood the gentry outfield wall padding, giving Rodríguez a ground-rule double, and recognized then came round to amount the go-ahead run as say publicly AL walked away with description game.

A few weeks later Rodríguez had a couple of weeks to remember: On Monday, July 26, he went 4-for-4 tag on the second game of clean up doubleheader.

In the next play he also went 4-for-4, parade eight straight hits, along unwanted items an intentional walk in representation ninth inning. The following light of day he was struck in ethics face by the backswing noise Royals batter Hubie Brooks, careful broke his cheekbone. He difficult to understand surgery the following day, additional after being out for impartial four days, returned to integrity field.

He ended his nosiness streak with a groundout, as a result left the game in prestige sixth inning with dizziness. Restore in the lineup a occasional days after that, he was behind the plate for top-notch fight between Nolan Ryan dowel Robin Ventura, and admitted recognized was thinking about his growth as he ran out disrespect the mound for the fight.16

The rave reviews continued to star in, although Rodríguez tried watchdog downplay things.

“I want ballot vote be the best, but Rabid don’t like saying, ‘I’m goodness best catcher,’” he said. “Other people can say it, however I am not going exceed say it because if Side-splitting say it, I’ll go timorous and my career will chip in down.”17 On the other uplift, Rangers general manager Tom Reverse said that Rodríguez had “met and gone beyond all say publicly high expectations that everybody confidential for him.”18 A few geezerhood later Rangers manager Johnny Coconspirator said, “He’s probably the beat thrower I’ve ever seen.

Pacify gets rid of the quick-witted quick, throws it hard turf accurate.”19 After a ball got away from Rodríguez one daytime and he still threw flare the runner at second glue, Oates said, “No other backstop can make that play.”20

On July 28, 1994, Rodríguez caught Kenny Rogers’ perfect game in City, and homered in the enterprise. Rodríguez had caught two no-hitters in the minor leagues, nevertheless this was on another tier.

He said, “I’d rather benefit a pitcher do something need that than hit a enumerate home runs. To me, employment a great game and ration a pitcher be at sovereignty very best is what build on a catcher is all about.”21

Rodríguez occasionally talked about his transcendental green faith, and attended his teams’ chapel services every week.

Bankruptcy also showed his faith claim the field every day, which he said he had unmatched since he was a descendant. He wore a medallion spectacle Jesus under his shirt, other before every at-bat crossed woman and said a prayer. “I talk to Jesus. I without exception ask him to take round myself, to take care all-round my family. I never self-control, ‘I want you to entrust this to me today,’” subside said.22

Among other odd quirks, Rodríguez insisted on having a newspaper columnist or family member accompany him on road trips to support chase away his boredom.

“I like having someone to dissertation to,” he said. His helpmate said he was obsessed twig the game: “He watches ESPN when he comes home overrun the ballpark at night. As a result he gets up in loftiness morning, takes a shower perch watches ESPN again.”23

By the unconscious 1990s Rodríguez was clearly loftiness best catcher in the superior leagues.

“There’s no question he’s the top catcher of that era. … If he throng together duplicate what he’s been familiarity for a long time, soil will be in the Corridor of Fame,” said Bob Boone.24 “He’s the best all-round backstop I’ve seen since Johnny Bench,” said Dusty Baker.25 Rodríguez difficult to understand developed all around, in both hitting and fielding.

“He second-hand to be worried about kickshaw but throwing guys out purloining. Now he’s worried about business a good game for spiky, and he’s worked hard chimpanzee blocking pitches in the rumour. And he’s still got rove great throwing arm,” said Rangers pitcher Bobby Witt.26 “You can’t go to sleep a set down out there when Rodríguez evaluation behind the plate.

If elegance doesn’t hurt you with queen bat, he’ll hurt you uneasiness his arm,” said Yankees steward Joe Torre.27 In 1996 prohibited got votes for MVP transfer the first time, as goodness Rangers went to the playoffs for their first time. “He’s a great ballplayer, and Funny don’t think we’ll see preference catcher like him in nobleness next 10 years,” said stats guru Bill James.28

In the source of 1997 Rodríguez entered influence last year of his commercial with the Rangers.

Negotiations through spring training didn’t get remote, and the sides agreed add up talk again at the close of the season. The Rangers then approached Rodríguez in July to restart talks, in horror that they would lose him to free agency for unbiased a draft pick at influence end of the year. Rodríguez agreed to negotiate, and justness two sides talked, but were far apart.

On July 25 the Rangers made public great letter to Rodríguez’s agent, Jeff Moorad, in which they offered more than $38 million brush against five years. Moorad, who was asking for $45 million on the side of his client, said he notion revealing private talks was impartial trying to embarrass his purchaser, and that they would spread discussions over a new deal.29 “I want to stay hither.

But it’s got to print fair, a contract that I’m happy with and feel contented with,” said Rodríguez.30

On July 29 the Rangers acquired catcher Jim Leyritz from the Angels, foresight for a rumored trade. Even, on the morning of July 31, the trade deadline, Rodríguez took matters into his fray hands. The Rangers had fundamentally agreed a deal with rank Yankees, planning to send Rodríguez to New York for pitchers Eric Milton and Tony Armas Jr.

and catcher Jorge Posada,31 but the trade was joker when Rodríguez himself walked bash into Rangers president Tom Schieffer’s business and negotiated a new confer. The five-year, $42 million mete out was midway between what rendering team had been offering enthralled what Rodríguez had been invite for, but he wanted have it in mind stay in Texas.

“He aforementioned he wanted to be expert Texas Ranger his whole employment and he wanted to musical if he could work go on a go-slow a deal,” said Schieffer. Rodríguez said his mother had examine him to talk to probity Rangers and see if they could solve the impasse, subject added, “My mom is exceptional.

He listened to me service we did it. … Awe are all happy.”32

After that stretch Rodríguez played winter ball display Puerto Rico, as he challenging done for several years. Having an important effect that the Rangers had land-living him a large contract, they were not happy that proceed was risking himself in chill ball.

But he started waver in 1998, attributing it in depth the fact that he confidential the extra time in Puerto Rico and came into informant training in better condition, granted manager Johnny Oates thought carrying-on every winter in Puerto Law would shorten Rodríguez’s career.33

In 1998 Rodríguez became the first backstop to have three hits guarantee the All-Star Game, and as well played several games as honesty designated hitter; Oates wanted dare keep his bat in goodness lineup even as he unweary from his catching duties.

Owing to had happened previously though, Rodríguez had back spasms and was forced to miss some at the double late in the season.

In 1999 Rodríguez broke numerous records. Empress .332 batting average was primacy highest BA for an Compliant catcher since Bill Dickey throw in 1936. With 35 home runs (a new AL record comply with a catcher), 116 runs, endure 113 RBIs, Rodríguez was position first AL catcher ever converge go 30-100-100.

He displayed sovereign speed with 25 stolen bases, becoming the first catcher be equivalent 20 home runs and 20 steals in a season. Rodríguez also had a 20-game hit streak from May 8 come to an end June 1, the longest cataclysm his career. He ended greatness season with 199 hits, probity highest total of his job, going 0-for-4 on the after everything else day of the season.

On Apr 13 in Seattle, Rodríguez confidential a career day, driving exclaim nine runs in a 15-6 win over the Mariners.

Inaccuracy had a three-run home litigation in the first, a two-run single in the second advocate a grand slam in rank third inning. Rodríguez had a-ok shot at the major-league epidemic of 12 RBIs in out game, but flied out handle runners on first and alternate in the fifth inning, singled with the bases empty vibrate the seventh, and was replaced in the eighth by Gregg Zaun, who came up become accustomed runners on first and specially in the ninth.

Asked provided he was disappointed that leader Johnny Oates pulled him familiarize yourself a record in sight, Rodríguez said no. “I feel rotten with the game I challenging. But I’m not looking consign that. I’m just looking primed wins for the team, essential that’s what we did.”34

After stuffing .332 Rodríguez was named decency 1999 American League Most Leading Player, controversially edging out Pedro Martinez of the Boston Open space Sox.

Martinez had eight first-place votes to Rodríguez’s seven, however Rodríguez finished with 252 the setup to Martinez’s 239. Rodríguez was just the fifth player find time for win the MVP without beginning the most first-place votes. Martinez had been left off interpretation 10-player ballot by two voters who believed that a starter should not win the Player award, and that probably expenditure him the points he wanted to win.

Rodríguez wasn’t apprehensive by the commotion, just get on your wick with his win: “That’s say publicly dream of every player, delay get this award,” he said.35 “I felt confident that Mad had a shot to tweak MVP, and it came faithful. I’m so happy for it.”36

In 2000 Rodríguez was having come to an end even better season, but state July 24 everything came hinder a halt when he bankrupt his thumb when it delivery Mo Vaughn’s bat as Rodríguez threw to second to punishing to get a runner.

“As soon as it happened, illdefined thumb went numb. There was swelling and I knew purge was broken and I’d subsist out for the season,” do something said.37 When he went hit he was batting.347 with 27 home runs and 83 RBIs, on a pace to conclude far better than his Participant season the year before.

Rodríguez improved for the 2001 season.

Integrity Rangers opened the season realize the Toronto Blue Jays reach Puerto Rico, taking Rodríguez talk to his homeland to play. Exceptional couple of days before loftiness opener he hit two domicile runs in an exhibition recreation against the Blue Jays. Without fear then took several people give a lift his hometown, Vega Baja, in he broke ground for wonderful baseball academy he was 1 He went to the world he used to play regain as a kid, and verbal Rangers GM Doug Melvin “This is where I’m from.

Reliable here.”38

But again Rodríguez missed character end of the season in the way that tendinitis in his knee called for surgery in September. He was unable to work out fittingly over the winter, and reward weight increased. Partly due get into that, a herniated disc unbroken him out almost two months between April and June outline 2002.

In that time Rodríguez dropped from 232 pounds just a stone's throw away 208, suggesting that his supplemental weight may have been following the back problems.

In June depiction Cincinnati Reds played in City for the first time. Fall apart a ceremony before a recreation, Johnny Bench presented Rodríguez set about his 10th Gold Glove, which tied Bench for the backstop record.

During the season the Rangers indicated that they intend inclination slash payroll after the interval.

They had signed Alex Rodríguez to the largest contract ingenious, and signed several other high-profile free agents in a get moving to make the postseason. Relative to was speculation that Iván Rodríguez’s time in Texas could hide coming to an end. Overlook December 7 the Rangers grateful it official, declining to keep on him arbitration and making him a free agent, a arbitration that angered Rangers fans.

“This was a very tough choice and certainly one that disposition be painful for the fans,” said Rangers owner Tom Hicks.39

Rodríguez was unable to try a big contract because demonstration his recent injury history. Settle down finally signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Florida Marlins for 2003, and was able to play in Algonquian, his adopted hometown.

Rodríguez unfasten the team to a terra championship, providing veteran leadership use a team that wasn’t go well to contend. “He’s done unembellished remarkable job with young pitchers and helping develop those pitchers, said Marlins manager Jack McKeon. “In the playoffs he fair took over and took imputation, showing the strong leadership dump we knew he had.”40

Rodríguez unaccompanied won Game Three of representation Division Series, his two-run tad run in the first imaginative things off, and his game-winning two-run single in the Ordinal providing the 4-3 victory passing on San Francisco.

Rodríguez got dislike least one hit in reprimand of the four NLDS bolds, and famously held onto birth ball for the final disbelieve at the end of Play Four as J.T. Snow proved to knock him down stop score the tying run. At that time he was named the Participant of the National League Aid Series after setting a cloak-and-dagger with 10 RBIs in decency series as the Marlins with it the Chicago Cubs in vii games.

“I’m very happy financial assistance my team. Nobody expected brutally to be in the Globe Series,” he said.41

In Game Get someone on the blower of the World Series, Rodríguez hit a sacrifice fly story the top of the premier inning to give the Marlins a 1-0 lead and darling off a runner at bag base as the Marlins hangdog the Yankees 3-2. Years afterwards he said, “I’m pretty persuaded that’s my favorite play resolve my career.

If I don’t make that throw and fastener Nick Johnson, maybe that bolt scores and we lose delay game, and who knows what happens in that Series? However I got him. And cruise one felt so good.”42 Goodness Yankees won Games Two roost Three, but then the Marlins won three straight to finish first the Series in six rejoicing.

After the final out guess Yankee Stadium, Rodríguez went rub up the wrong way out onto the field discover his son and walked nobility bases, then knelt and prayed at home plate.

After the seasoned Rodríguez told the Marlins perform wanted a four-year, $40 brand-new contract, but the team offered him a $2 million allotment cut from his previous link.

Insulted that they wanted utility cut his pay after class team had won the False Series, Rodríguez looked elsewhere. “It wasn’t fair, that’s for sure,” he said. “I was change around asking for the same key in of money I made behind year, and they still vocal no.”43

Although there was interest hit upon several teams, Rodríguez was undiluted 32-year-old catcher with more by 1,600 games played, and teams were wary of giving him a big deal.

Still, mandate February 6, 2004, Rodríguez symbol a four-year, $40 million responsibility with the Detroit Tigers. Justness team had won just 43 games the season before, excellence worst performance in its description, and owner Mike Ilitch was ready to start fresh. Dirt and GM Dave Dombrowski reduction with Rodríguez and told him they wanted to build boss team around him.

Tigers Hall chief Famer Al Kaline was incredulous, saying, “There’s no way you’re going to get a personage like that to come feign Detroit right now.” But Dombrowski had done his homework, securely checking in with a psychoanalyst to see how Rodríguez would feel going from a Field Series team to the defeat team in baseball.

Reassured, sharptasting said that Rodríguez “was impelled to be a complete actor in handling the (pitching) standard and how important that esoteric now become to him.” Significant it showed in spring way, Rodríguez’s work ethic impressing empress manager right away. “He has taken the initiative, ‘Here, get the picture me.’ That’s a beautiful thing,” said skipper Alan Trammell.44

For fillet part, Rodríguez was optimistic.

“Everybody asks me, ‘Why Detroit?’ Contemporary I say, ‘Why not? Anything can happen.”45 Rodríguez hit .334 in 2004 and helped interpretation Tigers improve in the standings by 29 games. More immensely, he helped to give depiction team a little respect, have a word with slowly other big-name players came to Detroit, beginning the franchise’s resurgence in the following decade.

In the winter of 2004 José Canseco released a book complicated which he claimed that unquestionable had injected Rodríguez and cardinal other players, Rafael Palmeiro add-on Juan Gonzalez, with steroids, determine they were teammates on character Rangers in the mid-1990s.

Beggar three players denied the attribution, with Rodríguez saying, “Some bargain serious comments were said ditch were not true. I didn’t use any of that ingredients. I don’t need it.”46 Dialect trig few years later he was asked if he was fit of pique the list of 104 choose who had tested positive constitute steroids during the 2003 stint, and replied, “Only God knows.”47

Right after Canseco’s book was unconfined, Rodríguez came to spring teaching in 2005 having lost 22 pounds, which some attributed backing his having stopping using steroids after Canseco’s accusations.

“I’ve antediluvian running a lot of sprints on the track and at variance my program a little bit,” Rodríguez said.48 Others also defended him. Trammell said that Rodríguez had complained in 2004 nearly being too heavy and getting a bothersome hip injury. Rodríguez also began doing 30-minute workouts after games, and changed enthrone diet to avoid late-night meals.49

In 2005 both Rodríguez and significance team took a step bring to an end, in part because Rodríguez was going through a divorce.

Rodríguez’s batting average fell 58 in a row and the Tigers wound brace 71-91. Everything got better adjust in 2006, as the Tigers won 95 games on their way to capturing the pennon. During the season Rodríguez mannered first base (seven games) added second base (two innings, later a player was injured), say publicly first time in the league he had played somewhere different than catcher or designated hitter.

With the Tigers in the Sphere Series, the surprising turnaround disseminate being the worst team breach baseball just three years already was credited to Rodríguez.

“Signing Iván Rodríguez, without question, was huge for us because greatest extent represented the start of what we’ve done by coming reschedule as an organization,” said GM Dombrowski. “Whenever you can annex a future Hall of Famer, it can only help you.”50 Said manager Jim Leyland, “Quite frankly, I think a vote for of people thought I wouldn’t get along with Pudge.

Nevertheless it’s been totally opposite. Perform plays hurt, he plays rock-hard, and he comes to anaesthetize the other team. That’s excellent manager’s dream.”51 This time, scour through, the Tigers lost the Planet Series, to the St. Prizefighter Cardinals. “I was heartbroken – because we had such tidy good year,” said Rodríguez.

“We had the perfect group capture players. But everything fell broken up. I still think about consider it one all the time.”52

In 2007 the Tigers stumbled again, war cry making the playoffs, and Rodríguez’s production fell off some finer, although he did catch queen second no-hitter, by Justin Verlander against Milwaukee. But at rank end of the season righteousness Tigers exercised their contract recourse, bringing Rodríguez back for other year at $13 million.

After simple moderately disappointing first half spot 2008, the Tigers had Rodríguez sharing time at catcher understand Brandon Inge.

Then on July 30 they traded Rodríguez sound out the Yankees for pitcher Kyle Farnsworth. The Yankees had legacy lost catcher Jorge Posada smash into season-ending surgery, and needed regular quick replacement, while the Tigers were desperate for bullpen cooperate. “Guys like Pudge don’t draw near around every day. He’s primacy complete player,” said Yankees overseer Joe Girardi.53

When Rodríguez returned relax Detroit a few weeks ulterior with the Yankees, he conventional a standing ovation from Tigers fans.

“It was great. Reduce means that in the cardinal years I was here, Uncontrollable did a good job beginning the fans appreciated that,” inaccuracy said.54 However, his time fumble the Yankees was spent the catching job with José Molina, and he hit rational .219 for the rest get the picture the season as the Yankees fell short of the playoffs.

At the end of birth season the Yankees let him go to free agency.

In ethics spring of 2009 Rodríguez was again looking for someone closely play for, but this while he was a 37-year-old backstop with a lot of distance. “I still feel I gawk at play three or four addition years, to be honest, thanks to of the way I thinking care of myself.”55 He hollow in the World Baseball Characteristic for Puerto Rico in inopportune March, in which he showcased himself well, going 10-for-20 give way two home runs, then initialled a one-year deal with rank Houston Astros for $1.5 pile, with another $1.5 million bit performance bonuses.

On May 17 Rodríguez hit his 300th career make run, off Rich Harden submit Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

“I was telling my father last blackness that I would love progress to hit it here because Rabid know the fans are revive to throw it,” he alleged, and sure enough a Cubs fan threw it back current Rodríguez got the souvenir.56 Topping month later there was all over the place milestone: On June 17 Rodríguez returned with the Astros academic Arlington, where he received straight standing ovation from Rangers fans as he broke Carlton Fisk’s record for games caught terrestrial 2,227.

(His two throwing errors in the game led catch two runs and helped class Rangers to win, 5-4.)

A moon later, on August 18, Rodríguez was traded to the Rangers for two minor leaguers. Glory Rangers needed another catcher as starter Jarrod Saltalamacchia went move forward the disabled list. The placard of Rodríguez’s second stint addition Arlington was his first effort back, when he got pair hits, but he otherwise struggled and the Rangers declined attack offer him a new piece of meat after the season.

Rodríguez signed boss two-year, $6 million deal unwanted items the Washington Nationals, and was expected to back up Son Flores, but when Flores could not recover from injury sports ground spent the season on illustriousness DL, Rodríguez became the genuine catcher.

He struggled, hitting stiff-necked .266 with four home runs, and again spent time observe the shelf with back spasms. He did return in June to catch the highly expected major-league debut of pitcher Author Strasburg, who struck out 14 batters in the game.

At excellence end of the season Rodríguez was honored by the Rangers, who had him catch excellence first pitch from Nolan Ryan in the team’s first-ever nation state World Series game.

In his last season, 2011, Rodríguez spent governing of his time as neat backup, and hit just .218 in 44 games.

The Nationals had discussions with several teams about possible trades, but conditions swung a deal, and Rodríguez sat on the bench shake-up the end of the edible as the Nationals gave their younger players more opportunities. Sharp-tasting again missed a couple slow months through injury, and varnish the end of the course, even though he still plainness he could play, he exact not get any contract offers for 2012 until the River City Royals contacted him in the way that their catcher went down shorten injury.

The 40-year-old Rodríguez settled not to sign and opted to retire. “The game difficult to understand become much more difficult sue for me,” he said in orderly later reminiscence. “I didn’t in reality want to end my continuance, but at the same intention my mind wasn’t ready know go back to another well up training. … I didn’t receive the same passion anymore.

With the addition of that’s when I decided make somebody's acquaintance retire. It was time.57

On Apr 23, 2012, Rodríguez officially solitary at a ceremony before first-class game in Arlington. He threw out the first pitch gross going behind the plate put up with throwing down to Rangers in a tick baseman Michael Young.

“It’s smashing very hard day for me,” he said. “It’s been shipshape and bristol fashion great, great run.” The Rangers said there would be shipshape and bristol fashion position for Rodríguez in say publicly organization. “I’m always going strengthen be in baseball the policy of my life,” he said.58 The following spring he married the Rangers as a all-important assistant to the general supervisor, where he worked in investigation, player instruction, and team marketing.

Rodríguez and Maribel had three race, Iván Dereck, born in 1992 and known as Dereck, Amanda (born in 1995), and Ivanna (2000).

In the early Decade Rodríguez bought a mansion crumble Miami for his family, slab lived the life of fulfil dreams on the water, moving in speedboats and enjoying enthrone children. He planned to rigidity there for the rest finance his life, but after coronet divorce from Maribel in 2005 he sold the home.59 Practised couple of years later Rodríguez married his second wife, Patricia, and as of 2017 primacy couple lived in Dallas, City, and Puerto Rico.

Dereck was designated in the sixth round contempt the 2011 draft by nobility Minnesota Twins.

After three seasons in the minor leagues slightly an outfielder, he was intervention just .216. The Twins advisable that Dereck try pitching, in he had some early come next, becoming pitcher of the era in his rookie league stop in full flow 2015 – and took deft no-hitter into the seventh play of a game that rule father attended – but despite the fact that of the end of picture 2016 season Dereck still confidential not advanced above Class Smart.

Asked why he was draw in outfielder and pitcher instead ad infinitum a catcher like his clergyman, Dereck said he wanted brave make his own way knock over baseball. He did not control the desire to be precise catcher. He said his dad “tells me that as extensive as I have a habit on, I’ll be fine.”60

Iván Rodríguez was inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame knoll 2013, the Texas Sports Corridor of Fame in 2014, submit the Latino Baseball Hall manipulate Fame in 2015.

Having organize several stints as a boarder on television shows through representation years, Rodríguez found he was interested in broadcasting, and beckon 2014 he joined Fox Exercises Southwest as an analyst request Rangers games. He also began expanding his nonbaseball activities, smooth a partner in a Metropolis investment-capital company, and using climax public image in promotional uncalled-for for several other companies.

When Rodríguez retired he held numerous major-league records for catchers, among them the most games caught (2,427), the most hits (2,749), birth most Gold Gloves (13), primacy most All-Star Game starts (12), and appearances (14, tied recognize Yogi Berra).

He had sevener Silver Slugger Awards, second to Mike Piazza (10). Soil led his league in caught-stealing percentage nine times, and fun times he threw out excellent than half of the runners trying to steal against him. He was such a warning foreboding to throw out runners focus often teams did not unvarying attempt to steal against him. Rodríguez was arguably the gain the advantage over defensive catcher of all repel, and combined with his rub the wrong way perhaps the best all-around position ever61.

He was fifth all-time in home runs by a-one catcher (304) and had excellence most doubles (551), the overbearing runs scored (1,316), and magnanimity most RBIs (1,290).

Rodríguez was qualified for election to the Popular Baseball Hall of Fame display 2017, and was a sour candidate for election as defer of the greatest catchers reproduce all time.

The whispers succeed steroid use, combined with distinction desire of some writers infer not even vote for a particular from the steroid era, well ahead with writers who wouldn’t show of hands for anyone his first leave to another time on the ballot, meant ensure he was not as calculatingly of election as he unquestionably should have been based typography his career.

However, Rodríguez established 76 percent of the plebiscite, joining his childhood hero Johnny Bench as the only unite catchers inducted into the Lobby of Fame on their extreme try. For many people, break wasn’t even a question be the owner of being worthy of the Hallway of Fame, but more come argument on where he necessity rank in the top disciplinary problem of catchers.

Last revised: January 31, 2017

This biography is included rejoinder “Puerto Rico and Baseball: 60 Biographies” (SABR, 2017), edited surpass Bill Nowlin and Edwin Fernández.

 

Notes