Ivan Rodriguez Childhood

Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez Torres was born on November 27, 1971 in Vega Baja, PR. He is the son of Eva Torres and Juan Rodriguez. From an early age, Ivan learned how important baseball was to his community. The game provided a path for young men to get their families out of poverty. His father played baseball when he was young and taught Ivan the game, worked and pushed him to become the best he could be. Ivan started out as a pitcher but would move to catcher, a position played by his father. The move paid off as Ivan, who developed a cannon, became one of the best defensive catchers in MLB history.

Ivan Rodriguez High School Stats and Awards

Pudge attended Lino Padron Rivera High School. With the attention he garnered from a young age, it wasn’t a shock that he would be scouted by MLB in high school. He was invited to a Texas Rangers’ tryout during this time and he impressed them so much that they signed him to a contract at the age of 16. It was during his stint in the minors where he got the nickname 'Pudge' because he was short and stout.

Ivan Rodriguez MLB Career Stats and Notes

Pudge made his major league debut on June 20, 1991. He played for the Rangers for the first 12 seasons of his career. In 2003, Rodriguez joined the Florida Marlins for one season and it was a magical one as they would upset the New York Yankees in six games to win their second World Series title in franchise history. In 2004, Pudge headed to the Motor City to play for the Detroit Tigers for the next five seasons. In 2008, the Tigers traded Pudge in the middle of the season to the New York Yankees. He would only spend half a season in New York. From 2009 to 2011, Rodriguez would play for three more franchises: in 2009, Houston Astros and Rangers, and 2010 and 2011 with the Washington Nationals. The 2011 season was Pudge’s last. Ivan Rodriguez was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017.

Ivan Rodriguez Game-Winning Defensive Play in Game 5 of 2003 NLCS

Pudge was known for both his offensive and defensive strengths. Perhaps his most iconic moment on the diamond came when it mattered the most: winning time. On October 4th, 2003, the Marlins were leading the San Francisco Giants 7-6 in the top of the ninth in Game Five of the NLDS. With the Giants’ JT Snow on second and two outs, Jeffrey Hammonds ripped a hit into left field towards Jeff Conine. As Snow was waved home, Conine fired a rocket into the infield which was caught by Pudge near the plate. The 31-year old catcher took a shot from Snow who was trying to score. Pudge tumbled backwards with the ball in hand! His Marlins’ teammates and the fans erupted in joy as Pudge sealed the win! That moment rallied the team as the Marlins would go on and win the 2003 World Series!

List of Baseball Hall of Fame Members