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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Former Texas Ranger Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez is being |
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inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the |
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Class of 2017, and this honor provides recognition for an athlete |
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who is one of the best catchers in history; and |
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WHEREAS, born on November 27, 1971, in Manati, Puerto Rico, |
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Mr. Rodriguez learned baseball at an early age. Mr. Rodríguez |
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attended Lino Padron Rivera High School, where he was discovered by |
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scout Luis Rosa. Rodríguez signed a contract with the Texas Rangers |
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in July 1988, at the age of 16, and began his professional baseball |
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career; and |
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WHEREAS Mr. Rodriguez made his Major League debut with the |
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Texas Rangers at the age of 19 on June 19, 1991. Mr. Rodriguez |
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immediately established himself as one of baseball's best |
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all-around players--equally as formidable behind the plate playing |
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defense as he was offensively at the plate; and |
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WHEREAS over his 21 season career, Mr. Rodriguez played a |
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majority with the Texas Rangers, including one season with the |
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Houston Astros, leading him to become a favorite athlete of |
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baseball fans of all ages all over Texas; and |
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WHEREAS during his career, Mr. Rodriguez was a 14-time |
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All-Star; 13-time Gold Glove Award winner; 7-time Silver Slugger |
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Award winner; AL MVP in 1999 with the Texas Rangers; and a World |
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Series Champion in 2003 with the Florida Marlins. |
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WHEREAS while widely regarded as one of the best defensive |
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catchers of all time, Mr. Rodriguez finished in career in the |
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top-ten in runs scored, home runs, runs batted in, hits, doubles, |
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and career batting average among catchers in baseball history; and |
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WHEREAS |
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Mr. Rodriguez was not only a wonderful teammate and |
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ballplayer, but also great ambassador of the game and beloved |
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philanthropist; and |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulates Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez on his |
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election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez as an expression of high regard |
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by the Texas House of Representatives. |