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Iván Rodríguez
Setting exceptional defensive standards as a major-league catcher.
American League MVP · World Series
- Born
- 27 November 1971
- Birthplace
- Manatí, Puerto Rico
More people
Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez is a Puerto Rican former baseball player known as Pudge. His arm, hitting and longevity made him one of the sport’s most accomplished catchers.
Early life
Vega Baja upbringing
Learned baseball with his father as his coach.
Catching early
Moved behind the plate in Little League and admired Johnny Bench.
Career
- 1988
Rangers signing
Signed professionally with Texas at sixteen.
- 1991
Major-league debut
Reached the Rangers at nineteen.
- 2003
Florida
Joined the Marlins for their championship season.
- 2012
Retirement
Ended a 21-season major-league career.
Achievements
American League MVP
Won the league’s most valuable player award.
World Series
Helped Florida win the championship.
Hall of Fame
Was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Beyond baseball
Charitable foundation
Established a foundation in 1993 to support families and community causes.
Family
His son Dereck also became a professional baseball player.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Baseball Hall of Fame biography ↗Photo: RWHmedia. CC BY-SA 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
