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Catcher on the run

Rodriguez's speed, power unmatched at his position

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Posted: Wednesday August 18, 1999 10:14 PM

  Ivan Rodriguez is trying to become the 10th AL player -- and first catcher -- to join the 30-30 club. Doug Pensinger/Allsport

By Ryan Hunt, CNN/SI

Texas catcher Ivan Rodriguez has long been known for his golden arm. But this season, it's his legs that are running him into the record books.

The man they call "Pudge" became only the ninth catcher in major league history to steal 20 or more bases last Saturday against the White Sox.

It's not exactly the moniker of a fleet-footed catcher. And it's certainly a switch for a guy who's made carved his niche in the majors by gunning down base runners. But no catcher has ever had the combination of speed and power that Rodriguez possesses.

With his 21 stolen bases and 28 homers, as of August 18, Rodriguez already is in exclusive company among catchers.

Born to Run
Catchers with 20 or more steals in a season
Player Team Year SBs HRs
John Wathan
Ray Schalk
John Wathan
Jason Kendall
John Stearns
Ray Schalk
Johnny Kling
Johnny Kling
Jason Kendall
Ivan Rodriguez
Benito Santiago
Craig Biggio
Red Dooin
 Royals
White Sox
Royals
Pirates
Mets
White Sox
Cubs
Cubs
Pirates
Rangers
Padres
Astros
Phillies
 1982
1916
1983
1998
1978
1914
1903
1902
1999
1999
1987
1989
1908
 36
30
28
26
25
24
23
23
22
21*
21
21
20
 3
0
2
12
15
0
3
0
8
28*
18
13
0
* As of August 18
 

He is on pace to become only the third catcher ever to reach 30 steals in a season, joining John Wathan (36 in 1982) and Ray Schalk (30 in 1916).

Only 35 men in baseball history have ever had 30 homers and 30 steals, only nine of which played in the American League. Alex Rodriguez and Shawn Green are the only American Leaguers to reach the mark this decade.

But no catcher has ever reached the 30-30 plateau. In fact, Rodriguez is the first to reach the 20-20 mark.

Of the 12 previous times a catcher has reached 20 stolen bases (Jason Kendall, John Wathan, Ray Schalk and Johnny Kling each did it twice), only Benito Santiago hit more than 15 homers. And seven times, the catcher hit three or fewer homers.

Yet with his power surge, Rodriguez could also threaten the record for home runs in a season by a catcher.

 
30-30 vision
Players with 30 HRs and 30 SBs in the '90s
Player Pos. Team Year SBs HRs
Alex Rodriguez
Shawn Green
Raul Mondesi
Barry Bonds
Jeff Bagwell
Larry Walker
Barry Larkin
Ellis Burks
Barry Bonds
Dante Bichette
Barry Bonds
Sammy Sosa
Sammy Sosa
Barry Bonds
Howard Johnson
Ron Gant
Barry Bonds
Ron Gant
 SS
OF
OF
OF
1B
OF
SS
OF
OF
OF
OF
OF
OF
OF
OF
OF
OF
OF
 SEA
TOR
LA
SF
HOU
COL
CIN
COL
SF
COL
SF
CHC
CHC
PIT
NYM
ATL
PIT
ATL
 1998
1998
1997
1997
1997
1997
1996
1996
1996
1996
1995
1995
1993
1992
1991
1991
1990
1990
 46
35
32
37
31
33
36
32
40
31
40
34
36
39
30
39
52
33
 42
35
30
40
43
49
33
40
42
31
42
36
33
34
38
34
33
32

Todd Hundley hit 41 homers with the Mets in 1996. Rodriguez is on pace for 39.

But Rodriguez has always been able to hit the long ball. But his speed burst this season has been a bit surprising.

Before this season, Rodriguez's career high was nine steals, which he set last year. He swiped only 35 bases total in his first eight seasons.

In fact, Pudge has as many steals this season as he has had the past four years combined.

And aside from Pittsburgh's Jason Kendall, who reached 20 steals for the second straight season and likely would have challenged Wathan's single-season record of 36 before breaking his ankle on July 4, no other catcher comes close to Rodriguez's

The rest of the catchers in the American League have 38 stolen bases combined.

Then again, it could be because Rodriguez can't throw himself out. After all, only 25 bases have been stolen off Rodriguez all season.

 
Related information
Stats
1999 Stolen Bases Leaders
CNN/SI Player Page: Ivan Rodriguez
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