Pudge Shows No Signs Of Slowing Down

Ivan Rodriguez worked out with the Detroit Tigers, took a shower and changed his clothes.

The 13-time All-Star catcher was probably going to need another shower Monday.

Maybe two.

Rodriguez -- holding a pair of track spikes -- planned to run 200-meter sprints at a track and lift weights for 90 minutes later in the day. His conditioning regime also includes riding a bicycle about 40 miles a few days a week.

"Every year that I play baseball, to be honest with you, I feel better and better," he said. "My workout schedule is outstanding and I follow that day in and day out."

When the Tigers gave Rodriguez a $40 million, four-year deal in 2004, some thought they were foolish to give big bucks to an aging catcher.

Nobody is saying that anymore.

Rodriguez -- arguably the best all-around catcher ever -- hit .300 last season, threw out a baseball-best 51 percent of runners attempting to steal and had a 99.8 fielding percentage that was tied for the best in the majors. And, he was an All-Star for a third straight season.

In his three seasons with the Tigers, he combined to hit .304 and added two Gold Gloves to break Johnny Bench's record and join elite company. Rodriguez, Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente are the only players in baseball history with at least 11 Gold Gloves and a career .300 batting average.

The 35-year-old Rodriguez wouldn't be surprised if he plays long enough to be a 40-year-old catcher.

"The way that I take care of myself and work out -- no problem," he insisted.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland certainly wouldn't doubt Rodriguez.

"You'll never see anybody more proud about the way he keeps himself in shape than him," Leyland said. "There's a reason you've caught that long and you look that good."

Rodriguez made it possible for Detroit to have remarkable turnaround, going from losing an AL-record 119 games to reaching the World Series in just three years.

After being the MVP of the NL championship series and helping Florida win the World Series in 2003, he joined the laughingstock of baseball.

No one is laughing now.

Magglio Ordonez, Kenny Rogers and Todd Jones later signed in Detroit as free agents and Gary Sheffield agreed to be acquired by a once-awful franchise in a trade.

"I was the first one that came over, and a lot of guys followed," Rodriguez said. "I feel good about it. I'm glad that I did it."

Rodriguez will make $11 million this season and the Tigers have a $13 million option for the 2008 season with a $3 million buyout. He hopes the team exercises the option and gives him another deal, allowing him to retire as a Tiger.

"That's not my choice, but I would love to stay here for years," Rodriguez said. "We are getting better and better and this is going to be a winning team for a lot of years and I would like to be part of it."

Leyland is always quick to point out he stays out of contract talks, but he made it clear how much respect he has for Rodriguez.

"Pudge plays hurt, he plays hard and he plays to beat the other team," Leyland said. "What else can a manager ask for?"

Leyland doesn't even have to ask for a solid option when Rodriguez gets a break because he already has one. Vance Wilson is back after hitting a respectable .283 despite getting just 152 at-bats over 56 games.

"Vance Wilson is one of those guys that can sit around and not play, but because he prepares right, he normally does very well when he gets an opportunity," Leyland said.

Wilson, who turns 34 next month, has played 403 games primarily as a backup behind Rodriguez in Detroit and Mike Piazza with the New York Mets.

"Physically, you have to prepare like you're a starter every day," Wilson said. "Mentally, you have to put your ego in the trunk.

"I went from backing up Piazza to Pudge, better everyday players than I am, so it's made it easier to accept."

After watching Rodriguez from afar, Wilson has marveled at what makes his teammate great behind the plate.

"What makes Pudge so good is the fact that physically he can play every day," Wilson said. "What's really helped him is being in even better shape than he probably was five years ago."
Source: AP