ARLINGTON TX - OCTOBER 30: Former catcher for the Texas Rangers Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez waves to the fans as he walks out ot catch the cermonial firts pitch from Rangers team President Nolan Ryan against the San Francisco Giants in Game Three of the 2010 MLB World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 30 2010 in Arlington Texas. (Photo by Brian Snyder-Pool/Getty Images)
Fourteen-time All-Star Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez will retire from baseball next week as a member of the Texas Rangers, reports T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.
The 40-year-old catcher, who failed to find a roster spot with anyone this offseason, will officially announce his retirement in a pre-game ceremony Monday in Arlington prior to the Rangers matchup against the Yankees.
Signed to a two-year deal by the Nationals in 2010, Pudge hit just .218/.281/.323 in 137 plate appearances over 44 games last season, which made him a hard sell on the free agent market this winter.
Pudge made it known that he wanted to continue playing, and reportedly had an offer from the Royals at one point, but never got the offer he was looking for.
Just 156 hits shy of 3,000 on his career, Pudge finishes his 21-year Hall of Fame worthy campaign with a .296/.334/.464 line, the 1999 AL MVP award and an unheard of 13 Gold Glove awards.
Pudge spent his first 12 seasons as a member of the Texas Rangers, earning his MVP award and 10-straight Gold Gloves with the team.
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