Iván Rodríguez

Did You Know?

• Rodríguez was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in October 2024.
• His favorite player growing up was Johnny Bench, even before he became a catcher.

Early life

Rodríguez was born in Manatí, Puerto Rico and raised in Vega Baja. His father, José, coached him in baseball, and his mother, Eva Torres, taught elementary school. As a child, he delivered flyers in shopping malls. He began playing baseball early, often competing against future star Juan González. At age eight, his father moved him from pitcher and third baseman to catcher because his fastball scared opposing hitters. He attended Lino Padron Rivera High School, where scout Luis Rosa discovered him, noting his leadership. Rodríguez signed with the Texas Rangers in July 1988 at age 16.

Professional career

Rodríguez debuted professionally in 1989 with the Gastonia Rangers of the South Atlantic League, going 3-for-3 in his first game. In 1990, he was named the best catcher in the Florida State League and made the All-Star team, batting .287 with 55 RBIs. He began 1991 with the AA Tulsa Drillers, hitting .274, and was called up to the Texas Rangers without playing AAA. He made his MLB debut on June 20, 1991, at age 19, the youngest catcher that season. On August 30, 1991, he hit his first major league home run, off Storm Davis of the Kansas City Royals. Rodríguez finished fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting and threw out 48.6% of attempted base stealers.

Retirement and honors

Rodríguez retired on April 18, 2012, and signed a one-day contract with the Rangers on April 23 to retire as a Ranger. He threw the ceremonial first pitch from behind home plate to second baseman Michael Young. He was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame on February 27, 2014. In February 2013, he became a special assistant to the Rangers general manager, a role he continued as of 2024. He also worked as a pre- and postgame analyst for FOX Sports Southwest starting in 2014. Rodríguez was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 18, 2017, receiving 76% of the vote, and was inducted on July 30, 2017. The Rangers retired his number 7 on August 12, 2017. In August 2017, he was selected as one of Puerto Rico's five shadow representatives.

Personal life

Rodríguez married Maribel Rivera on June 20, 1991, the same night he made his MLB debut, throwing out two base stealers. They had three children: Dereck, Amanda, and Ivanna. In 1993, they founded the Ivan "Pudge" Rodríguez Foundation to assist families in Puerto Rico and the Dallas–Fort Worth area. The marriage ended in 2006, and Rodríguez married Patricia Gómez of Colombia in 2007.