Next to Nolan Ryan, Pudge’s Jersey Number is Right Where it Belongs in Arlington

By Ryan Hunt

Posted on August 15, 2017, August 15, 2017

On Saturday, August 12, 2017, the No. 7 jersey number of Iv'n 'Pudge' Rodriguez was retired at a pre-game ceremony in front of 47,306 people at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

Rodriguez is the third Ranger to have his uniform number retired by the club, joining Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan's #34 in 1996 and former manager Johnny Oates' #26 in 2005.

The former Rangers legend came out to a standing ovation, before settling in next to family and select members of the Rangers Hall of Fame. The Rangers also brought back those who wore the No. 7 uniform before and after Rodriguez was here. This group included David Murphy, Vic Harris, Lenny Randle, Lew Beasley, Leon Roberts, Glenn Brummer, Eric Young, J.P. Arencibia and Delino DeShields.

Pudge's jersey retirement comes after he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a Texas Ranger on July 30, 2017.

'It's amazing,' Rodriguez said. 'This is a dream come true just like a dream came true a couple of weeks ago.'

Iv'n 'Pudge' Rodriguez is the third Ranger to have his uniform number retired by the club.

At the evening meeting last week, Mayor Jeff Williams and the Arlington City Council declared the day as Iv'n 'Pudge' Rodr'guez Day. Mayor Williams and Mayor Pro Tem Sheri Capehart read the proclamation again in front of Rangers fans at Saturday's ceremony.

National Baseball Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson also unveiled Pudge's official plaque that had been brought from Cooperstown.

After his speech thanking the fans, there was one more standing ovation as Rodriguez rode off the field on the back of a pickup truck, another dream come true moment for the Hall of Famer to experience during his busy summer.

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