Detroit Tigers: Five Former Players Appear on Hall of Fame Ballot for First Time

Ivan Rodriguez

One of the best to ever play his position, Ivan Rodriguez made 14 All-Star Games while playing for the Rangers, Marlins, Tigers, Yankees, Astros and Nationals.

He also snagged 10-straight Gold Gloves, not to mention six Silver Sluggers, in a ten-year period with the Rangers to begin his career.

However, many in Detroit will remember him for the five years he spent with the Tigers.

Rodriguez made four All-Star games during that period, while taking home three Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger. He finished 10^th in the MVP voting during the 2004 season.

In 611 career games in a Detroit uniform, the backstop registered an even 300 RBI and 300 runs scored. He also collected 140 doubles and 62 home runs.

Catchers generally aren’t known for running, but that didn’t stop Rodriguez from totaling 30 stolen bases and 17 triples with the Tigers. All in all, the former Ranger hit .298 in his career with Detroit.

Rodriguez played his last game for Detroit in July of 2008 before being dealt at the trade deadline to New York for reliever Kyle Farnsworth.

The trade didn’t exactly go as planned seeing as Farnsworth notched a 6.75 ERA and a 5.07 FIP in just 16 innings. He signed with Kansas City following the season.