Big catch: Pudge signs with Florida Marlins

The Dallas Morning News ^ | January 22, 2003 | By KEN DALEY / The Dallas Morning News

[MeekOneGOP]

Big catch: Pudge signs with Florida Marlins

Former Ranger gets 1-year, $10 million deal

01/22/2003

By KEN DALEY / The Dallas Morning News

Former Rangers catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Florida Marlins on Wednesday.

Rodriguez, a 10-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner, was cut loose by the Rangers after the team traded for Cleveland catcher Einar Diaz on Dec. 6. The Rangers did not offer Rodriguez arbitration and paid him $2 million in severance as part of the contract.

Rodriguez had discussed a three-year contract with Baltimore before talks broke off in December.

Also Online

	Rodriguez stats (from mlb.com)

"When an opportunity of this magnitude presented itself, I felt this was the perfect time to provide a major boost to the Florida Marlins," team owner Jeffrey Loria said in a statement. "Adding a future Hall of Famer to our current team completes what we believe is a very successful off-season. I'm excited for our community and our team as we are just weeks away from the start of Spring Training and a very special 10th anniversary season."

Rodriguez, 32, missed nearly eight weeks with back problems last season but still hit .314 with 19 home runs and 60 RBIs in 108 games. For his 12-year career with the Rangers, Rodriguez hit .305 with 215 homers and 829 RBIs in 1,479 games.

The deal with the Marlins includes a no-trade clause and says the Marlins won't offer Rodriguez salary arbitration after the season so that he can test the free-agent waters.

Rodriguez takes the place of Cliff Floyd and Preston Wilson in the middle of the Marlins' lineup. He'll catch for a relatively young starting rotation that includes A.J. Burnett, Brad Penny and Josh Beckett.

Rodriguez handles the catching duties that once belonged to Charles Johnson, who was traded to Colorado in November as part of a deal that brought Mike Hampton to Florida. He was then traded to Atlanta.

Circle June 13-15 on your calendar. That's when Rodriguez and the Marlins visit The Ballpark at Arlington.

DallasNews.com staff writer Richard Durrett and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read Thursday's Dallas Morning News for more on this story.

---

Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/latestnews/stories/012203dnspopudge.1a994.html

[MeekOneGOP]

Good luck, Pudge. I'll never forget you. You are the best catcher the Rangers ever had.
And I liked Jim Sundberg a lot...

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[speedy]

You could make a case he is as good as any catcher who ever played -- I always said Bench, of whom I am a great admirer, but I really believe Pudge, all-around, may top him. Bench had a bit more power, but Pudge hits for a far higher average, and indisputably outstanding as Bench was defensively, I am not sure Pudge isn't even a bit better. However, he is on the downward arc, as most catchers are by their early 30s. As is Mike Piazza, the best purely offensive catcher ever. You could plausibly say Yogi Berra or Mickey Cochrane as best ever too and have a good point.

[MeekOneGOP]

[MeekOneGOP]

[sinkspur]

A one year deal?

Even the Marlins know that Pudge's best days are behind him.

Still TEN LARGE is a pretty good payday for six months' work.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

I think Gary Carter was the best, then Bench.

[MeekOneGOP]

Very high praise for Pudge, thanks. He has my highest regards...

[MeekOneGOP]

Yeah. I remember a few years ago, the media had indicated he was 'due' to hit the graveyard because of his many games played and how hard he was worked. He showed them he could keep on a keepin' on. Gotta love his spirit and determination, imho...

[MeekOneGOP]

Big catch: Pudge signs with Florida Marlins

Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Florida ping list!. . .don't be shy.

[strela]

Former Rangers catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Florida Marlins on Wednesday.

(Sheila Broflovski ON)

What What WHAT?!?!?

(Sheila Broflovski OFF)

I thought the Marlins were in major financial trouble. While Pudge is a fine catcher (arguably the greatest in the game today), 10 mil is some pretty heavy coin to be throwing around for a non-pitcher or non-marquee name hitter.

[dtel]

I'm happy for Pudge.
He got his money, when most are not getting squat.
My wife and I moved to the area shortly before Pudge got promoted and we watched the guy grow up and prosper.
While he had the great arm and bat, he disappointed me with his indifference to working with the pitching staff.
I wish him well and thank him for the memories.

[sinkspur]

I loved Pudge. The Rangers wouldn't have won a third of the games they did last season without him.

It's a shame a Hall of Fame player of his caliber never played in a World Series.

Nolan Ryan never played in a World Series either.

[dtel]

If I have one hero in the world it is probably Nolan Ryan.
I absolutely loved the guy.
He put up records nobody will break.
The "Man" was awesome.
Quite the businessman also.

See where Troy and Roger are doing the NA$CAR deal?
Pretty cool.

[Senator Pardek]

Fisk is coming out of retirement?

[JoeSixPack1]

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/hof/hofstca.shtml

Catchers BOLD Indicates Statistical Leader For HOF Catchers
Name [Link To Full Stats]	AVG	OBP	SLG	HITS	HR	RBI	RUNS	SB
Johnny Bench	.267	.345	.476	2,048	389	1,376	1,091	68
Yogi Berra	.285	.350	.482	2,150	358	1,430	1,175	30
Roger Bresnahan	.279	.386	.377	1,252	26	530	682	212
Roy Campanella	.276	.362	.500	1,161	242	856	627	25
Gary Carter	.262	.335	.439	2,092	324	1,225	1,025	39
Mickey Cochrane	.320	.419	.478	1,652	119	832	1,041	64
Bill Dickey	.313	.382	.486	1,969	202	1,209	930	36
Buck Ewing	.303	.351	.456	1,625	71	883	1,129	354
Rick Ferrell	.281	.378	.363	1,692	28	734	687	29
Carlton Fisk	.269	.343	.457	2,356	376	1,330	1,276	128
Gabby Hartnett	.297	.370	.489	1,912	236	1,179	867	28
Ernie Lombardi	.306	.358	.460	1,792	190	990	601	8
Ray Schalk	.253	.340	.316	1,345	11	594	579	177
Name [Link To Full Stats]	AVG	OBP	SLG	HITS	HR	RBI	RUNS	SB

[Texagirl4W]

I know this is an old post, but did you see Pudge play Friday and Saturday. He won both games. I was so proud of him, even thought I would have liked to see him in Arlington this year. I realize it was a business decision to not sign him again. I'm having back surgery Wednesday. Hope I'm well enough to watch the world series.

[MeekOneGOP]

Back surgery Wednesday ? Oh. I had no idea TG4W ! I sure hope that things work out excellent for ya, Friend !

I'll be thinkin of ya ...

[Texagirl4W]

Thanks, I'll let you know when I'm back on line. Probably not in the hospital but I think I will be able to take my laptop to rehap. Keep me on your ping list. I'll be off work for about 2 months.

[MeekOneGOP]

Okay, will do. I know that back surgery is a scary thing. I can't come up with the right words right now ...