Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez calls it a day leaving behind World Series winning memories – MLB News
Few decisions in the history of a club turn out so useful that even after the passage of many years people at the helm of affairs boastfully claim the credit. Signing a catcher Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez by the Miami Marlins on the eve of 2003 season is one
such a decision. He has announced his retirement today in Arlington, Texas.
The kind of repute he commanded though was enviable, never however had the management thought he will benefit the side to an extent of taking them to World Championship. While other players equally deserve a mention in this regard, his contribution was the
most decisive.
As a catcher, the way he would guide young pitchers and tell them ways to get strike-outs was useful in every game.
Larry Beinfest, Marlins operations president has a special description of him. Unable to detail his contribution in words, he was all-praise of him, terming his role during the quest for wild card spot of immense significance.
"He meant a lot to that young pitching staff late in the year," Beinfest said. "I can't speak to what he meant to them early on in the year, but when it got late and we were chasing the wild card, that kind of guy added a lot to the team. He settled the
young pitchers. And then having him in the lineup around Miggy (Miguel Cabrera) and D. Lee was huge because he was so clutch.”
Apart from his consultancy role, his mere presence at the back of plate meant a lot to the success.
So fearful the base-runners were of him that at-times they would abandon sure singles and stealing bases.
This resulted in fewer overall scores by the opponents and thus starters had less amount of work to do most of the times.
Thus, a one year $10 million deal with him had paid off huge dividends to the Marlins.
The Marlins have signed an almost similar kind of deal this year with three players including a $108 million contract with Jose Reyes.
The fact every time things do not pan out as desired, management can go slow in growing over-ambitious on their recently signed players.
Irrespective of anything, they will look forward to see the kind of performance from them that Pudge gave back in 2003.
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