Free Republic

<p>Kneel down. Put your hands together. Offer thanks right this very moment to whatever deity you desire that that you are not 18 years old and gay and living in the state of Kansas right now.</p> <p>This gratitude, it is a given. This is so much of a given you might not even need to hear why. You just say to yourself, oh my freaking God, I can only imagine.</p>

Marlins win Series; Pudge gets his ring01:26 AM CST on Sunday, October 26, 2003By KEN DALEY / The Dallas Morning News NEW YORK – Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez and the Florida Marlins on Saturday finished off the biggest World Series upset in 15 years, blanking the New York Yankees, 2-0, to win the 99th Fall Classic in six games. Not since the 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers stunned the Oakland Athletics has a more heavily favored team failed to win the Series. "It took me 12 years to get here, and I have enjoyed every moment of this," said Rodriguez, the former...

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...