What do you think?
Rate this book
They Call Me Pudge: My Life Playing the Game I Love
With 14 All-Star appearances, 13 Gold Gloves, a Most Valuable Player Award, and, of course, a World Series ring, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez has more than earned his status as one of the best Major League catchers of all time. In They Call Me Pudge, Rodriguez tells the story of his unforgettable baseball career, from signing his first professional contract as a 16 year-old in Puerto Rico, to his years in Texas, Detroit, and beyond, to the World Series stage in Miami, and ultimately behind the doors of the Texas Rangers front office. Rodriguez's accomplishments, his teammates, and his biggest challenges all receive time in the spotlight in this refreshing memoir.
- GenresBaseballSportsNonfiction
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2017
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 8, 2017
First of all, Rodriguez could have written this book in crayon, and my personal rating would have been a 5. Long one of my favorite players, Pudge sealed the deal when he signed with my Detroit Tigers in the mid-00s, when they were terrible and no one else would even consider playing for them. He hints at it, but he understates just how much he meant to the franchise. In addition, as a long time umpire, catchers are my favorite players, a relationship which Pudge also refers to. You have to get along behind the batter, and a good catcher literally is the difference between a smooth game and a nightmare.
Removing emotion from the equation, the book wasn't perfect. He skips lightly over life events, even ones important to his game, and goes heavy on his individual accomplishments. (Which are many and well-deserved) The best part of the book--aside from the part that related to the Tigers--was his description of proper catching mechanics. There were many things I never considered, but made instant sense as I read them.
I would have liked to learn more, but this was a good start.
Removing emotion from the equation, the book wasn't perfect. He skips lightly over life events, even ones important to his game, and goes heavy on his individual accomplishments. (Which are many and well-deserved) The best part of the book--aside from the part that related to the Tigers--was his description of proper catching mechanics. There were many things I never considered, but made instant sense as I read them.
I would have liked to learn more, but this was a good start.
February 27, 2019
This book essentially serves as a feel-good walk down memory lane for Pudge Rodriguez fans. Back in the day, he was my favorite Texas Ranger, and it was great to read that the Rangers still hold a special place in Pudge's heart, as well. Despite growing up a baseball fan, I was surprised to learn how much work catchers actually do behind the plate. It's not just catching the ball and picking runners off bases; Pudge actually called every pitch, and even alerted the umpires to what pitch was coming next. I was also surprised and happy to see Pudge is considering managing a big league baseball team at some point in the future. I think he would make a great manager.
As much as I enjoyed this book, though, a tell-all memoir it is not. There are a few stories about Pudge's family, but not a lot of behind-the-scenes, in-depth looks at his personal life. This is really a book about baseball. Perfect for the Pudge Rodriguez fan, or a die-hard fan of the game itself, but not so much for the reader looking for a no-holds-barred peek into Pudge's private life or an industry expose filled with secrets and dirt.
As much as I enjoyed this book, though, a tell-all memoir it is not. There are a few stories about Pudge's family, but not a lot of behind-the-scenes, in-depth looks at his personal life. This is really a book about baseball. Perfect for the Pudge Rodriguez fan, or a die-hard fan of the game itself, but not so much for the reader looking for a no-holds-barred peek into Pudge's private life or an industry expose filled with secrets and dirt.
May 8, 2018
Pudge is my childhood hero! I remember the day I saw him catch a ball thrown by Jeff Conine from left field and tag J.T Snow out at home plate to advance the Florida Marlins to the NLCS division series. The words he chanted after being plucked hard and rolling backward in the ground still ring in my ears till this day "I GOT THE BALL"!
This book was a story I had long been waiting to read. Pudge was a man who was sure about his purpose in life ever since he was a child. He is, in my opinion, the best major league Catcher in the history of the game.
This book was a story I had long been waiting to read. Pudge was a man who was sure about his purpose in life ever since he was a child. He is, in my opinion, the best major league Catcher in the history of the game.
January 7, 2025
I like this book it reminds me of a lot of people I look up to. I am also a catcher so it relates to me as well. it is a very entertaining book with a lot of different topics he talks about. I also like how he has other people in the book write little section talking about there view of Pudge.
August 21, 2018
Such a great book! I learned a lot about Pudge and his life from this book!
February 2, 2019
Cool walk down memory lane
October 22, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Pudge's life journey.
January 2, 2023
Great insight to his career through his eyes. Pudge does not shy away from much related his baseball career. Brief snippets from former managers, teammates, trainers, etc. give you a look from other perspectives as well. Great read!
October 10, 2017
I can breeze through most books fairly easily, but I try to take my time with biographies/autobiographies, and this was no different. Pudge is my all-time favorite player and this honest, interesting insight into his life and career was certainly welcome.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews