One day wasn’t enough to honor Hall of Fame catcher Ivan Rodriguez. How about an entire week.
That’s what’s happening in Dallas as Mayor Mike Rawlings has proclaim the week of August 7 as “Pudge Week” in honor of Rodriguez. A ceremony is expected to take place Wednesday at the end of the Dallas City Council’s morning session.
The City of Arlington declared Tuesday as Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez Day, His No. 7 Rangers jersey will be retired on Saturday at Globe Life Park in Arlington prior to the Rangers game against the division-leading Houston Astros. He becomes the third Rangers player to have his uniform retired by the organization, pitcher Nolan Ryan and manager Johnny Oates are the other two.
Rodriguez was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame last month and is considered one of the best catchers to ever step onto a baseball field. He was a first-ballot Hall of Famer and the first home-grown Rangers player to reach The Hall.
The on-field jersey retirement ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6:45 on Saturday. Rodriguez’ actual Hall of Fame plaque will be on display on the first base concourse this weekend. Fans will be able to view take photos from 5:30 p.m. until the end of the game Friday and from 8 p.m. to the end of the game Saturday.
