“Pudge was Gr-r-reat!”

“Pudge was Gr-r-reat!”

Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive catchers in baseball history. Over his 21-season career, he set numerous defensive records and earned significant accolades that underscore his exceptional skills behind the plate. 

Career Highlights:
• Gold Glove Awards: Rodríguez earned 13 Gold Gloves, recognizing him as the top defensive catcher in the league. 
• Caught Stealing Percentage: He maintained a career caught stealing percentage of 45.7%, significantly above the league average, making him a formidable opponent for base stealers. 
• Games Caught Record: On June 17, 2009, Rodríguez set the MLB record for the most games caught in a career, surpassing Carlton Fisk with his 2,227th game behind the plate. 
• Defensive Runs Above Average (DEF): According to advanced metrics, Rodríguez accumulated over 300 DEF in his career, making him the only catcher to surpass this mark. The next closest catchers are over 85 runs behind, highlighting his defensive dominance. 

Rodríguez’s unparalleled defensive skills, combined with his leadership on the field, solidify his legacy as one of baseball’s all-time greats.