{"id":4022,"date":"2017-01-18T18:03:42","date_gmt":"2017-01-19T00:03:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/?p=4022"},"modified":"2017-07-08T12:12:40","modified_gmt":"2017-07-08T17:12:40","slug":"pudge-makes-the-hall-greatest-catcher-since-johnny-bench","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/?p=4022","title":{"rendered":"Pudge Makes the Hall-Greatest catcher since Johnny Bench"},"content":{"rendered":"
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18 Jun 1998: Ivan Rodriguez #7 of the Texas Rangers in action during a game against the Oakland Athletics at The Ballpark in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers defeated the Athletics 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn \/Allsport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Johnny Bench, from my home state of Oklahoma, was and still is, the greatest catcher to play the game of baseball.\u00a0 He was the best hitting catcher, and to me, as good as the other great fundamental man behind the plate, Ivan Rodriguez.\u00a0 Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez was elected to the Baseball Hall-of-Fame today, a first ballot selection.\u00a0 And he\u00a0is so deserving of this\u00a0honor.<\/p>\n

I was blessed to see the great Texas Ranger catcher play many games live, in person, first in the old Arlington Stadium, then the newer Ballpark in Arlington.\u00a0 Pudge was a terror in cutting down base runners, a hell of a bat in the Ranger lineup, and the best all-around\u00a0catcher during his\u00a0glory years\u00a0in the\u00a0major leagues.<\/p>\n

My most vivid moment in my\u00a0baseball viewing was on July 28, 1994, a game in\u00a0the Ballpark in Arlington between the Rangers and the California Angels.\u00a0 On that day, Ivan Rodriguez caught Kenny “the Gambler” Rogers who on that day pitched the first perfect game by a left hander in American League history.\u00a0 Yes, Rogers pitched the game, but Pudge called the game, and it was perfect.\u00a0 Rusty Greer make the great catch in the 7th frame to preserve the perfection.<\/p>\n

I am so happy to see “my” favorite catcher (with respect to Bench) make the greatest Hall-of-Fame there is.\u00a0 Cooperstown, you are getting not just on hell of a catcher, but quite possibility, the best defensive catcher of all-time.<\/p>\n

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(Congratulations also to Tim Raines and Jeff Bagwell in making the hall today with Pudge.\u00a0 Raines is special as it was his last year on the regular ballot)<\/p>\n

Feature Photo:\u00a0 Robert Carr-Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Johnny Bench, from my home state of Oklahoma, was and still is, the greatest catcher…<\/p>\n

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