They were angling to touch or even just see what the man known as “Pudge” earned last season: a diamond-filled World Series ring.
That was with the Florida Marlins, of course. The Tigers, meanwhile, earned little more than ignominy while losing 119 games — one short of the modern major league record.
So 10-time All-Star catcher and former Texas Rangers star Rodriguez went from the top of the heap to a team that many figure will be at the bottom. Then again, no one was picking the Marlins to go all the way when Rodriguez joined them a year ago.
“Everybody asks me, ‘Why Detroit?’ And I say, ‘Why not?’” Rodriguez said. “Anything can happen.”
Anything? How about a worst-to-first season?
“Yes, I believe this team can do anything,” Rodriguez said. “We can be great — this year.”
Embarrassed by 2003 and a decade of losing, Tigers owner Mike Ilitch decided to spend money to make Detroit’s once-proud franchise at least respectable again.
The Tigers signed second baseman Fernando Vina, outfielder Rondell White, and opening day starter Jason Johnson, but they knew they needed more. And fans wanted more, too.
Detroit found the perfect match in Rodriguez. He wasn’t exactly a hot commodity in the offseason despite being the National League Championship Series MVP and one of four players in history with a career batting average of at least .300 and 10 or more Gold Gloves (Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente and Roberto Alomar are the others).
So Pudge brought his impressive offensive credentials — .304 career average, 231 home runs, 914 runs batted in — and strong arm to the Tigers, signing a $40 million, four-year deal.
“I would’ve loved to stay with the Marlins,” he said. “It’s where I live. It’s home, but they didn’t get anywhere close.”
Two-time Gold Glove catcher Brad Ausmus of the Houston Astros said Rodriguez is worth whatever he gets.
“He’s the best catcher, in terms of being able to be productive offensively and defensively, that has ever played this game, in my opinion,” said Ausmus, who used to play for Detroit. “And really, there’s not a lot of guys at any position that have done what he has at the plate and in the field.”
Rodriguez, 32, is determined to prove he still is an elite catcher, even though few players excel behind the plate at his age because they break down physically.
He played 144 games last year, and Tigers manager Alan Trammell expects Rodriguez, entering his 14th season, to play at least as often this season because he can be a designated hitter.
