You were the face of a franchise that was left in shambles.
After a record setting 119 losses in a single season - you made it possible to draw marquee players like Magglio Ordonez and Gary Sheffield.
You always had faith in where the team, owner, manager, general manager, and assistants were going with the team.
You played every out of every game that you were asked to play, including a 17 inning marathon with the Seattle Mariners.
...And you did it in catching gear.
You nabbed 37.4% of base stealers - at the age of 37.
Your career batting average is a jaw dropping .302 - unheard of from a catcher.
You won 13 Gold Glove awards.
You've won a world series.
You've played for 18 seasons at the Big League level.
You may not be a Detroit Tiger anymore, but you will live in our hearts forever.
Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, you were a team player who did all you could for the Detroit Tigers.
And for that I, and any other true Tigers fan, will always be in your debt.
Enjoy your time in the Big Apple, and thank you for all you've done.
4 comments:
I didn't like this trade when I first heard it but then they started talking about how unhappy pudge was this year in Detroit. Since he is going to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year maybe it isn't so bad. Plus the Tigers got much needed bullpen help. I just don't know if Farnsworth is a free agent at the end of the year.
I agree on the point about pudge rebuilding the Tigers. He made is cool to play for them again.
i heard about this on wjr this afternoon. he was one of the few names that i recognized.
This news made it through the daycare today. Katie was telling me about it. Go figure.
I agree with both you and dad, he did a lot of good for Detroit baseball. And I think it's hilarious that Katie knew.
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