Pudge Rodriguez Traded to New York Yankees for Next to Nothing

Many fans in Detroit thought Pudge Rodriguez had a good chance of finishing his career as a Detroit Tiger. Pudge always received one of the biggest, if not the biggest ovations of any Tiger player on the field when line-ups were announced at Comerica Park. But, on July 30, 2008, Dave Dombrowski the Tigers GM and his front office staff, made the un-popular decision of trading Pudge to the New York Yankees for relief pitcher, Kyle Farnsworth, an ex-Tiger player.

As a Tiger fan, I am saddened by the trade of Pudge Rodriguez and I will be forever grateful to him for bringing baseball back to the city of Detroit. Pudge's desire to win and intense training helped to remind us what it was like to have a team of players who loved the game and wanted to be the best at their position. I am saddened that the Tigers front office seems to think it is ok to trade a player the caliber of Pudge for a player who never wanted to be in Detroit his first time around. I hope the Tigers front office does not make the mistake of thinking that fans are only upset because Ivan Rodriguez was traded to the Yankees. I would be just as angry if this trade was made with any team. Pudge saved baseball in this city. When no other MLB player would give Detroit a second thought, Ivan Rodriguez did. Sure he received a big contract. As it turned out, a well deserved big contract. He also deserved a right to choose his time of departure from this team. He was not holding this team back, and I believe everyone will realize in a short time that Ivan Rodriguez was the heart of the Tigers. He was the reason the Tigers were able to sign the likes of one Magglio Ordonez, 2007 Batting Champ. He was the reason fans began coming back into the stadium to watch Tigers baseball. It is his name and number that has been being worn on the backs of more fans than any other name associated with the Detroit Tigers. Pudge will be greatly missed by this Tiger fan and, I suspect, thousands of others.

But, what do I know? I am only a season ticket holder. I have only attended all but about a couple dozen games since 1999. I guess I don't know much about the business of baseball and cutting your losses, getting something for a player before you lose them to a team that will give them a multi-year contract you are not willing to give. I only know about the love of the game, I only know how I feel when I watch a player who seemingly loves the game and plays the game like he wants to win. I do not care to watch the likes of Kyle Farnsworth, I have been there and done that. I do not have the desire to pay to watch an angry young man pitch for my favorite team. An angry young man who never appeared to enjoy pitching in a Tigers uniform. I prefer to spend my entertainment dollars to watch an aging, hard working, future Hall of Fame, extremely good defensive catcher play the game with all of his heart and soul.

Although I still love my team, my dislike for the Tigers front office has now resurfaced. I hope current season ticket holders like me, dump those presale tickets for 2009 and wait and see what team shows up on the field next year.

Thank you Pudge! I sincerely hope you know how much we love you and appreciate you here in Detroit. Although I will keep my fingers crossed that by the grace of God you will return to our team in 2009, I also wish you all the luck with the Yankees organization. I hope they will treasure you as the fans in Detroit and Texas do.

As for Mr. Farnsworth, I have no respect for the man who once wore a Tigers uniform. I sincerely hope his stay will be a short one. That is all I will be able to take.