2003 World Series champion Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday.
The catcher played for only one season with the Florida Marlins, but he remains one of the biggest names in franchise history. Rodriguez's year with the Marlins ended with a World Series title, the second in club history. Without Rodriguez, the Marlins likely would have not even reached the postseason.
Prior to his speech, the Hall of Fame shared an image of Rodriguez's official plaque via Twitter.
Pudge Rodríguez, welcome to immortality. #FirstLook #HOFWKND pic.twitter.com/e0CQyj1s7Y
— Baseball Hall ⚾ (@baseballhall) July 30, 2017
Rodriguez went into the Hall of Fame as a member of the Texas Rangers, but his plaque will list his time with the Marlins as well. In that 2003 season, Rodriguez hit .297 with 16 home runs and 85 runs batted in. In addition to that offense, Rodriguez led the team with his veteran experience and sure-handed defense.
Once the playoffs began, Rodriguez continued to make his mark and helped Florida reach the title round. In the first round of the playoffs, Rodriguez held onto a throw from Jeff Conine and was mobbed by his teammates. Despite being barreled over by J.T. Snow of the San Francisco Giants, Rodriguez held onto a ball for the final of that divisional series.
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In the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs, Rodriguez hit a robust .321 with two home runs and 10 RBI. In addition to those hitting stats, Rodriguez was behind the plate calling great games from the pitching staff. The team never quit and a lot of that credit goes to Rodriguez and his well-known fiery attitude behind the plate. Rodriguez would be named the Most Valuable Player of the NLCS as well.
Tim Raines, Jeff Bagwell, Bud Selig and John Schuerholz were also inducted into Cooperstown's Hall of Fame on Sunday.
