Affectionately known as "Pudge", he is the best all-around catcher in the game of baseball today. With ten Gold Glove Awards, ten American League All-Star appearances, 1999 American League MVP, six Silver Slugger Awards, and eleven years with the Texas Rangers, his record reflects his title for "best all-around."

Ivan was born on November 27, 1971 in Manati, Puerto Rico. He played baseball at Lino Padron Rivera High School in Vega Baja, PR and signed with the Texas Rangers at the age of sixteen in July 1988. Ivan and his wife, the former Maribel Rivera, were married on June 20, 1991, the day he was promoted to the majors. They have three children, Ivan Derek, Amanda Christine, and Ivana Sofia. They share their time between homes in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico.

Throughout Ivan's career, he has continually improved his offense. His ability to throw out runners has earned him ten consecutive Gold Glove Awards and nine straight All-Star game appearances. Pudge is the first AL catcher to hit .300 or better five years in a row, the first catcher in history to have more than 20 homer runs and 20 steals in the same season, and is now one of only five AL catchers to steal more than 20 bases in a season. At age 29, he was the youngest catcher ever to amass 1,000 hits.

On the field and within the community, Ivan gives his all. In 1993, the Rodriguez' established The Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez Foundation which assist families in the Dallas/Fort Worth and Puerto Rico whose children are battling cancer. He is currently working on building a sports center in his native Puerto Rico. Ivan was the 2001 recipient of The Jim Sunberg Community Achievement Award. His Foundation has given in excess of $225,000.00 in the past three years to assist needy children and their families.

Donated $500,000.00 to the Texas Ranger Baseball Foundation after signing 5-year contract in July, 1997...A portion of that amount was used to construct the Ivan Rodriguez Youth Ballpark in north Fort Worth in 1998...Donated $25,000.00 to assist victims of Hurricane Georges in Puerto Rico in 1998 and $20,000.00 to victims of World Trade Center attacks in 2001...Was selected as the Rangers' recipient of the True Value/Roberto Clemente Man of the Year Award in 1998 and 200. Has a baseball school and sports complex in the planning stages to be built in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Ivan and his wife, the former Maribel Rivera, were married on June 20, 1991, the day he was promoted to the majors...They have 3 children, Ivan Dereck (6/5/92) and Amanda Christine (6/21/95) and Ivanna Sofia (1/12/00).

Amateur Background:

Played baseball at Lino Padron Rivera High School in Vega Baja, PR...Signed with Texas at the age of 16 in July, 1988.

Information Courtesy of Pudge.org, ESPN.com, and MLB.com

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