Ivan Rodriguez Biography

With a sweet swing and a cannon for an arm, catcher Ivan Rodriguez has the Detroit Tigers going for an improbable World Series title. Find out more about this All Star catcher right here.

Ivan Rodriguez - Teenage Star

Since his MLB baseball career began in 1991, Ivan Rodgriuez has gone on to become one of baseball's all-time greats. He was born in 1971 in Puerto Rico and was signed by the Texas Rangers when he was just 16. Rodriguez played his first game with the Rangers in 1991 at the age of 19, becoming the youngest catcher in Major League Baseball history. Ivan quickly became known for his great defensive skills and his ability to throw out would-be base stealers. With a cannon for an arm, Pudge as he's nicknamed, has thrown out nearly half of all runners who have tried to steal a base on him - far more than any other catcher in history. Apart from his strong defensive skills, Rodriguez is also a solid hitter who has nearly 300 homeruns and a career batting average over .300.

Ivan Rodriguez - Hall of Fame Catcher

In 2002, Ivan Rodgriuez left the Texas Rangers to play for the upstart Florida Marlins. He played just one season with the Marlins but helped the team and their young pitching staff win the 2003 World Series. After the Detroit Tigers offered him a ton of cash to become their catcher in 2004, Pudge joined the team and helped them go from the American League basement to a wildcard playoff team in 2006. He then helped the Tigers' youthful pitchers knock off the hard-hitting Yankees in the 2006 American League Division Series. Rodriguez is now considered the best defensive catcher in baseball history and is a sure bet to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame once he hangs up his catcher's glove and mask.

Ivan Rodriguez - Did You Know?

Ivan Rodriguez has three children - a son named Ivan and two daughters, Amanda and Ivana.

In 1999, Ivan Rodriguez was named American League MVP while playing with the Texas Rangers.

Ivan Rodriguez has won 11 Gold Gloves as a catcher, more than any other player from that position. He won the award in the American League for 10 straight years between 1992 and 2001.

On October 26, 2005, Ivan Rodriguez was named the starting catcher on the Latino Legends Team, a team made up of the best Latin American players in Major League Baseball history.

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