As I watch the Tigers and the Rangers play on this beautiful spring day, I think about the man behind the orange mask. The man that has done all their is behind the plate, and just about everything on it. Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez is no doubt a first-ballot Hall Of Fame candidate. But, was he less valuable to the Rangers that we think. I know that Pudge won most of his awards, mainly the Golden Gloves, with the Rangers, but he never won a World Series or a MVP Awrad with the Rangers. However, after he signed a deal with the Florida Marlins, he won the following: 1. A 11th Gold Glove, 2. A Wild Card Championship, 3. A N.L. Championship, 4. A N.L.C.S. MVP Award, and 5. A World Series Ring. Sounds to me that he did more in 1 year with the Marlins than about 12 years with the Texas Rangers. Makes me wish that Pudge has been drafted by the Marlins when he first started.
To be honest, yes, Pudge had a magical season that year with the Marlins. But Pudge was the rock of the Texas Rangers for years, from when he was a fresh young rookie coming out in 1991 to his unfortuante departure in the 2002 off-season. Pudge would still be in a Ranger uniform had it not been for the Chan #### Park fiasco that still has reprecussions on the Rangers today.
You make good points and you do it with no bull. Look foward to hearing more from you.
I can appreciate your love of Pudge. Imagine how thrilled I am to see him in Detroit, setting a wonderful example of workmanship and sportsmanship to all the young talent around him. Hope he retires a Tiger.
