Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez ready to announce retirement

[baumy300]

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/20...comment-286400

We all knew it had to end for him sometime, but what a pleasure it has been watching this guy. One of the best, maybe even possibly the best catcher ever. Guy could do it all.

Hopefully he enjoys his retirement.

[Perfect Zero]

I was able to catch a number of games with him playing, including a couple of games when I was really young at Arlington Stadium. I don't think there is a Ranger more loved than Pudge; he is the greatest Texas Ranger of all time bar none. That ceremony should include the instant retirement of his number.

7 - Pudge Rodriguez
26 - Johnny Oates
34 - Nolan Ryan

Three of the greatest Rangers ever to put on the uniform.

[CabreraMVP]

He's one of the best ever. To catch for so long is amazing, and he was still as good as it got defensively behind the plate in his last year. I'll always love Pudge because he put the Tigers back on the map. I dont know if Magglio, Rogers, etc etc come here if it wasn't for him being the first one.

He's still good enough to play but I imagine his ego kind of scares teams away. Thats why the Tigers got rid of him. He didn't like not being in the lineup everyday and was becoming a problem.

[TripleCrown9]

Quote: Originally Posted by Perfect Zero

I was able to catch a number of games with him playing, including a couple of games when I was really young at Arlington Stadium. I don't think there is a Ranger more loved than Pudge; he is the greatest Texas Ranger of all time bar none. That ceremony should include the instant retirement of his number. 7 - Pudge Rodriguez 26 - Johnny Oates 34 - Nolan Ryan Three of the greatest Rangers ever to put on the uniform.

Speaking of 2 of the greatest Rangers...

Spoiler

[SPTO]

Truly one of the greatest catchers to have played the game. I have some early games in his career and even back then they were comparing him favorably to guys like Johnny Bench. Pudge was someone who made the catcher a power position in a time when a good catcher was thought of as a light hitting .250 hitter who could give you 10 HRs at best and be no threat on the basepaths. Pudge had the power but he also possessed a cannon for an arm and some great speed especially early in his career.

[iPrototype]

He was great as a Marlin too! Helping us win a world series in '03.

Though I have to wonder how Jose Canseco's accusation of Pudge in his book might affect his HoF eligibility.

[TheMatrix31]

One of my favorite players ever.

*sigh* another guy I grew up watching set to retire.

[Bamafan3723]

Quote: Originally Posted by TripleCrown9

Speaking of 2 of the greatest Rangers... Spoiler

I was thinking more along the lines of

Spoiler