Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez Elected To Hall Of Fame
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DALLAS (105.3 The Fan/AP) - Ivan Rodriguez, the beloved former catcher of the Texas Rangers has been elected to MLB's Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
Rodriguez received 76% of the votes. He needed at least 75% to be elected.
"This is a dream come true,"said Rodriguez at Globe Life Park Wednesday evening, less than two hours after getting the good news.
"Honestly I haven't slept in three days," said Rodriguez with a smile.
Rodriguez said he will go into the Hall of Fame as a Texas Ranger after playing for six teams.
Bagwell 86.2%, Raines 86.0%, Pudge 76.0%,, Hoffman 74.0%, Vlad 71.7%, Edgar 58.6%, Clemens 54.1%, Bonds 53.8%, Mussina 51.8%, Schillling 45%
— Jay Jaffe (@jay_jaffe) January 18, 2017
Rodriguez joins Johnny Bench as the only catchers to be elected in their first year of eligibility. There are now 18 catchers in the Hall of Fame.
I have no words, best call ever! A dream that came true today! So thankful! Thank you thank you God bless you all #Pudge7HOF pic.twitter.com/Od0bNONZjv
— Ivan Pudge Rodriguez (@Pudge_Rodriguez) January 18, 2017
Rodriguez was a 14-time All-Star and 13-time Gold Glove catcher, and he was voted AL MVP in 2008 with Texas, his team for the first 12 of his 21 big league seasons. He batted .296 with 311 homers and 1,332 RBIs, winning a World Series with the Florida Marlins in 2003 after earning MVP of the NL Championship Series.
Rodriguez was never disciplined for PEDs but former Texas teammate Jose Canseco alleged in a 2005 book that he injected the catcher with steroids. Asked whether he was on the list of players who allegedly tested positive for steroids during baseball's 2003 survey, Rodriguez said in 2009: "Only God knows."
Rodriguez becomes the first Texas Ranger to be drafted by the club to make the Hall of Fame. He joins Nolan Ryan, Gaylord Perry and Ferguson Jenkins as Hall of Famers that have donned a Rangers uniform.
Welcome to Cooperstown! #HOF2017 https://t.co/SF6CLHM623 pic.twitter.com/kxNUIB3Luu
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) January 18, 2017
Others elected into the Hall of Fame were Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines.
Former Padres closer Trevor Hoffman missed it by five votes (74%).
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