Sports
Iván Rodríguez
born 1971 · baseball player, catcher
Hall of Fame catcher who signed with Detroit in 2004 and helped rebuild the Tigers into a 2006 American League pennant winner.
- Born
Manatí, Puerto Rico
age 54- Birth name
- Iván Rodríguez Torres
- Also known as
- Pudge · I-Rod
- Detroit years
- 2004–2008
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Rodríguez had already established himself as one of the greatest defensive catchers in baseball history, with an MVP award and a 2003 World Series title in Florida, when Detroit signed him before the 2004 season to help turn around a struggling franchise. He brought discipline and defense behind the plate at Comerica Park, won his tenth straight Gold Glove there, and was the veteran anchor of the 2006 Tigers team that upset the Yankees and Athletics in the playoffs to win the American League pennant and reach the World Series. He left Detroit partway through the 2008 season, but his role in reviving the franchise was honored in October 2024, when he was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in Detroit.
Highlights
- Signed with the Detroit Tigers before the 2004 season
- Won his tenth consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Award as a Tiger
- Helped Detroit win the 2006 American League pennant
- Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017
- Inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in Detroit, 2024
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Played here · 2004–2008
Comerica Park
His home ballpark for his five Tigers seasons, including the 2006 pennant run.