Tuesday, September 13, 2016
#421 Ellie Rodriguez
Run of the mill at best catcher...good defensively, strong arm....mixed results offensively....despite this was a two time
All Star...beneficiary of expansion and the need to fill the squad with reps from
all teams...starting with as the KC Royal’s first ever representative in 1969...not so much a starter with the first
year Royals but a platooner with Buck Martinez.....stumbled in 1970 and gave
way to the "play anywhere" Ed Kirkpatric....Trade to Brewers for 1971 did not
result in increased returns....Staged a major comeback in 1972 raising BA by 75 points
and getting his second All Star nomination....was the best hitter among Brewer
regulars....came down to earth in 1973 lost time to youngster Darryl
Porter.…acquired by California 1974….remained in top spot for essentially two
years…for lack of a suitable replacement….traded cross town to Dodgers for 1976
to where his catching rank dropped to #3…Released at the end of the
season….eventually worked the Mexican League circuit off and on...born Puerto Rico but grew up New York City.
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Asked him for an autograph during his brief time with the Dodgers. He put on the 'no habla ingles' for us as he got into his car. Went home and learned how to ask in Spanish "Puedo por favor tener su autógrafo?" He looked at me, slightly shocked and smiled a little bit and scribbled it down. Every time after that when he'd see me out in the parking lot (I only asked a player once, never multiples), he'd point at me and smile. Great memory...
ReplyDeleteThat is cool when a player remembers you. My moment of player interaction was during my Evansville Indiana days (see profile photo). I met a number ex and future MLB players. The one in particular was a guy by the name of Gene Glynn. I recognized his name as Mr Minnesota Basketball of 1975. We had a good conversation about basketball and Minnesota. at the end he told me to get in touch with him next time he was in Evansville. I didn't ever do that, but I did see him next year and he reminded that "I could have got you tickets". I was surprised he remembered. Glynn has been a MLB coach for about 20+ years and is now a coach for the Twins.
ReplyDeleteGreat story Douglas! Have you hit him up for tickets now? How outstanding would that be if he remembered you even now?
ReplyDeleteWell I recall writing a letter to him when he was a coach with the Cubs or Giants can't recall if I asked for tickets, but I never heard back. I thought he out baseball but in this tread found he was with the Twins. Will look up him next year if he is still with the Twins organization and I'm still in the Milwaukee area.
ReplyDeleteAm I math challenged or is Topps? His major league BA is listed as 252, but he never hit that high in the majors (at least not on this card).
ReplyDelete