The man who caught more games than anyone in MLB history is the 90th inductee into the Baseball Hall of Immortals.
As a 19-year old rookie with the Rangers in 1991, Ivan Rodriguez was considered by many to be the best catching prospect in baseball with one of the best catching arms ever. He did not disappoint. Finishing 4th in Rookie of the Year voting, Pudge threw out 49% of baserunners.
Rodriguez’ would breakout in his second year, appearing in his first of fourteen All-Star Games (the most by any catcher) and winning the first of thirteen Gold Gloves (also the most by any catcher). He threw out 51.8% runners in 1992, leading the league in that category – something he would do a total of nine times.
While Rodriguez never led the league in any offensive category, he did post impressive numbers for a catcher, winning the Silver Slugger award seven times.
He had his best offensive year in 1999, batting .332 with 35 homeruns, 113 RBIs and a surprising 25 stolen bases. In a close vote, he was awarded the MVP at the end of the season.
Pudge played for 21 years, and was behind the plate for 2,427 games – 200 more than Carlton Fisk. His caught stealing rate of 45.7% ranks tops in more than 50 years. At the plate he retired with a .296 average, 2,884 hits and 311 homeruns.
The best all-around catcher in the last 30 years, Ivan Rodriguez is an Immortal.
For some background on what this is, check out the introduction post here.
