Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez announced his retirement from baseball Monday, ending the career of one of the greatest catchers in baseball history.
Rodriguez held a press conference Monday in Arlington announcing the decision. The catcher played a record 2,427 games behind the plate, with the first 12 of his 21 Major League seasons being played with the Texas Rangers. He played for six teams in his Major League career.
Along with the press conference, Rodriguez was scheduled to throw out the first pitch before the Rangers' game against the Yankees. But Rodriguez decided to do something different. Instead of throwing from the pitching mound to second baseman Michael Young behind the plate, Pudge moved behind home plate and fired the ball down to Young at second base — as if he was throwing out a baserunner.
You can watch video of Rodriguez's creative "first pitch" at MLB.com here.
For more news and analysis on the Rangers, head over to Lone Star Ball while Pinstripe Boys has you covered for all the pre-game angles for the Yankees.