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 Catching heat Rangers' Rodgriguez throws 'em out like no other
Posted: Wednesday June 02, 1999 06:26 PM
This week, I want to give some advice to base runners who try to steal on Ivan Rodriguez: Don't do it. You have your work cut out for you. The average catcher throws out about 30 percent of runners who try to steal. Pudge is throwing out 80 percent. In fact, he's stolen more bases himself this season than people have stolen on him. That's unheard of. Rodriguez's success is the direct result of sound mechanics and hard work. First, Pudge is excellent at planting his right foot as the runner breaks and the pitch approaches. That helps Pudge get to his feet more quickly, and also gets his body squared to throw. Most catchers have heavy feet and are slow to get to this position. Pudge is lightning quick. Also, Rodriguez is quick to hop from the crouch, raring to throw. And he's consistent, no matter where the pitch comes in. He's up, two quick steps and -- boom -- he's in a power position to throw the ball. In fact, Pudge is so quick that even when the rare throw isn't on the money, the ball still gets to its destination fast enough for the shortstop to make an adjustment and tag the runner out. The threat of being thrown out by Rodriguez keeps runners at first and out of scoring position -- and it also keeps the double play alive. That's important when you have a struggling pitching staff that gives up around 5 1/2 runs a game. Much of Rodriguez's talent is just God-given ability. But I spoke with his manager Johnny Oates and he says that Pudge's work habits are unbelievable -- "A-plus," as he put it. In fact, Oates said Rodriguez is so dedicated that he has to start working on him two to three days in advance just to convince him to take a day off. Oates is a former catcher himself. He played with guys like Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk. And he told me he's never seen another catcher with the quickness, accuracy and velocity that Pudge has from any position he throws from. I agree, and I know plenty of base runners who do, too. Ozzie Smith, a 15-time All-Star, is a baseball analyst for CNN/SI.
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