Rodriguez Proves He Is Still A Star in Texas

Ivan Rodriguez proved he's still got game on Wednesday night despite Texas blowing another lead in a 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with an RBI and also scored a run.

Welcome Home Pudge was the main theme. By that I mean, like most long time Rangers fans, (myself included), we all see Rodriguez return no different than your son or daughter coming home after being gone overseas for years. Most of us watched this young man grow up right before our very eyes and we have missed him as a Ranger.

"It was nice," said Rodriguez, "The ovation from the fans, I appreciated that a lot. At the same time, it was a tough game. We got the lead early, and they were able to come back. Other that it, it was good, it was nice. I just wish we could have won the game."

Rodriguez did his part, I would say he did more than his part, and he had plenty of support. Sure the players were there, but I’m talking about the crowd of 33,479 on Wednesday, with several wearing old Rodriguez jerseys and carrying signs. That's more than 12,000 more fans than they had on Tuesday night, and a lot of that can be attributed to the arrival of Rodriguez.

Rodriguez received several standing ovations. Batting eighth, he singled to center in his first at-bat in the third inning and scored the game's first run. He followed with a double to right-center in the fourth, scoring Ian Kinsler. He added a single to right in the sixth.

Now off my soap box for Pudge and onto my soap box about the team and the last 3 games. I was at the game on Monday night in person and I can tell you this team looks tired. On Monday night when they brought in Neftali Feliz he had no energy. He still made it thru but just barely! Kevin Millwood ran out of gas last night. The position players have been grinding for a while in critical games and that may be taking a toll.

The Rangers have a day off on Monday, but have to find a way to Man Up and push through this weekend before they get there. Guess we will find out what kind of Manager Ron Washington really is, as it will take some imagination and leadership to get them thru this.

Texas Rangers Welcome Home Pudge Rodriguez

Rangers fans, and you can count me as one of them are extremely excited as news spreads around Dallas that the Rangers reacquired All-Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez for two minor leaguers from the Houston Astros On Tuesday. “It’s been a long time,” said Rodriguez, who. “I’m glad that I’m back.

Rodriguez on his first trip with the Rangers played for Texas from 1991 to 2002 and moved on as a free agent. He left when the club refused to offer salary arbitration after the 2002 season. He signed with Florida and immediately won a World Series, then went to another World Series in five seasons with Detroit.

He was voted to the all star game 10-times as a Ranger, 13 times over his career. He helped lead the Rangers franchise only three playoff teams in 1996, 1998 and 1999, where he was the American League Most Valuable Player.

Currently Rodriguez is hitting .251 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs in 93 games and 344 plate appearances for the Astros.

As a Texas Ranger, Rodriguez caught 1,426 games, second in club history to Jim Sundberg’s 1,495. He hit .305 with 215 home runs and 829 RBIs.

If you want to know if the fans are happy, tonight Rodriguez walked out to deliver the lineup card to home plate and you would have thought the Rangers had just won a game 7 in the playoffs. Rodriiguez received a huge ovation. Tonight he is only available off the bench.

Michael Young said “It’s huge for our fan base,” Young seemed very excited about the trade. Young also said “He might be the best player in the history of our organization and probably the most popular. This is just a great move on all fronts.”

Rangers outfielder David Murphy had a decision to make. Murphy has been wearing Rodriguez No.7 jersey since coming to the Rangers. Murphy who has always been a class act said he will give up his No.7 and switched to the No. 14.

Ron Washington the Rangers manager said Rodriguez would back up Taylor Teagarden. Teagarden became the starting catcher replacing Jarrod Saltalamacchia who is currently on the disabled list. “Watching him play when I was a kid, you idolized him,” Teagarden said. “I have a chance to learn some things about how he handles himself on the field.”

General manager Jon Daniels said Saltalamacchia has symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome, which affects nerves near the shoulder and neck and can cause numbness in the arms. Daniels said Saltalamacchia has a milder form that can be treated with rest and rehabilitation. The team plans to have him back in September.

To make room for Rodriguez, the Rangers designated catcher Kevin Richardson for assignment. They have 10 days to trade, release or outright him to the minor leagues.

I am as excited as I can be about this move, like many long time Rangers fans I watched Rodriguez grow up as a player and a man with the Rangers. He will be nothing but an asset to the Rangers on the field and in the clubhouse. He will make a difference to this team. Welcome Home Pudge Rodriguez!

Teardrops On An NFL Fans Guitar

Brett looks retired to me, I fake a smile so he won't see

That I want and I'm needing everything that we should be

I'll bet the Vikings are beautiful, that team he talks about

And they’ve got everything that I have to live without

Brett talks to me (about retirement), I laugh cause it's just so damn funny

That I can't even see anyone when he's with me

He says he's so retired, he's finally got it right,

I wonder if he knows he's all the Vikings think about at night

He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar

The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star

He's the report on ESPN I keep hearing, don't know why I listen to

Brett walks by me, can he tell that I can't breathe?

And there he goes, the old Retire-e,

The kind of flawless I wish I could be

Retirement better hold him tight, give him all her love

Look in those Brown full of S--T eyes and know she's lucky cause

He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar

The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star

He's the report on ESPN I keep hearing, don't know why I do

So I drive home alone, as I turn out the light

I'll put his picture down (in a Packers/Jets/Vikings)uniform(levis) and maybe ill

Get some sleep tonight

He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar

The only one who's got enough of me to break my heart

He's the Breaking News in the car I keep hearing, don't know why I do

He's the time taken up, but there's never enough

And he's all that I need to fall into..

Brett looks so full of S—T to me, I fake a smile so he won't see