Many people can critic my opinion that Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez is the best baseball player produced in Puerto Rico, saying that he is a better player than Roberto Clemente. Both of the players have many similar aspects. When Roberto Clemente died, he had the same age as Ivan has today.
Roberto’s records are the following: 15 all-star games, 2 World Series, 12 golden gloves, mvp in the world series on 1971, 3000 hits, and MVP in the National League on 1966.
On the other hand, Ivan’s records are the following: 14 all-star games, 1 World Series, 13 golden gloves, seven “Silver Slugger Award”, 2801 hits, and MVP on 1999.
As you can see both players have very similar records at the same age. The reason why many people think Roberto Clemente was a better baseball player than Ivan Rodriguez because he was a martyr that he died during one of his community service to Nicaragua. Also many people may argue that Clemente surpassed the 3000 hits and makes him a better player than Ivan, but in reality they do not analyze things well. Just by knowing that Roberto Clemente died as a martyr makes him a very prestigious person that attracts all the attention.
There is one thing that separates Ivan Rodriguez from Roberto Clemente. This thing is the Ivan is a catcher and Roberto was a right fielder. Catcher is said to be the hardest position in baseball, and in reality it is. The catcher is the player who has to have the best physical condition.
The catcher has to be nine innings all the time kneeled down, catching balls going over 90 mph, has to control the game, in other words the catcher is the one who has to position everybody, be the most intelligent in the game and know every batters batting since he is the one controlling the pitcher .
Moreover for a catcher to be successful as Ivan has to be able to engage in all of the characteristics mentioned above, and Ivan has successfully fulfilled them to a point that have similar records as Roberto Clemente. Even more, if Ivan surpasses the 3000 hits he will become the first catcher to do so.
This is why I think Ivan Rodriguez has been the best baseball player produced by Puerto Rico.
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