Pudge sees Rangers' WS title as final piece to HOF career

ARLINGTON -- Ivan Rodriguez, better known by his nickname “Pudge,” won the 2003 World Series with the then-Florida Marlins, but the Hall of Fame catcher said he still has unfinished business after his 12-year career as one of the best Rangers of all time.

“Absolutely,” Rodriguez said. “Winning the World Series this year for the Texas Rangers would make me so happy.”

Rodriguez, who joined the club as a special assistant to the general manager in 2013 and is involved heavily with the team’s community endeavors, caught the ceremonial first pitch ahead of Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night from former President George W. Bush.

Very few other players in franchise history can understand the Rangers’ painful playoff history as well as Rodriguez, who played for Texas from 1991-2002 and part of ‘09, lost in three separate playoff runs and watched on during the club’s ‘10 and ‘11 World Series losses.

“But that’s in the past,” he said.

Rodriguez feels like this is the Rangers’ year. His advice to the players is just to keep doing what they’re doing. It’s no surprise that the former catcher also shouted out backstop Jonah Heim for his skills behind the plate.

“Unbelievable,” Rodriguez said. “For me, I know that he is a great hitter from both sides of the plate. But the part of his game that I love the most is behind the plate. The way that he is calling games, the way that he is throwing out runners, the way that he anticipates -- you can’t teach that. That comes naturally. And he has it.

“[In Game 6 of the American League Championship Series vs. the Astros, there was a] runner on third base with the game on the line. And he blocked a great ball, and the ball stayed in front. Then we struck out the guy, and [Adolis] García came and hit the home run. For me, the MVP is Jonah. Because if he doesn’t do that, then García isn’t able to hit the home run.”

It’s fitting that Rodriguez caught the first pitch from Bush before the Rangers’ first World Series game at Globe Life Field. Rodriguez joked that Bush, who owned a stake in the Rangers from 1989-94, was his first boss.

Now, Rodriguez is hoping that both of them will be able to see their franchise win its first title.

“I’ve always wanted to see the Texas Rangers win a World Series,” Rodriguez said.