Pudge

Pudge. Ivan Rodriguez.

"Pudge" is my FAVORITE baseball player, I actually did not know that much about sports or baseball (if anyone can believe that) until I began watching Pudge in the mid-90s.  I grew to love baseball through his wonderful career.  He truly is the best and everyone who watched him play for the Texas Rangers and continue his career with other great teams can tell you how talented he truly is.

He retired yesterday, at the "Ballpark in Arlington", the home of the Texas Rangers.  It was a great ceremony and one fitting for such an influential player.

I had the opportunity to meet Pudge when I was in high school.  I'll always remember that meeting, that was when my "athlete-stalking" began! ha!

Here are some highlights of the ceremony.  The link at the bottom is the ceremony if full.  I recommend it, the highlights of his career are at the midway point, you may get a little misty-eyed, just saying.

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20859873&topic_id=&c_id=tex&tcid=vpp_copy_20859873&v=3

Nolan Ryan mentioned that Pudge would be part of the Rangers organization, maybe he'll be coaching in the seasons to come!!  He also has a son, Dereck Rodriguez, that is making his way through the minor leagues, the legacy lives on!