Detroit Tigers 2000-2009 All-Decade Team Best Players History

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May 7, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Former Detroit Tigers Ivan Pudge Rodriguez (R) shakes hands with Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) after he throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Tigers /

Catcher: Ivan Rodriguez

The first sign of a changing tide for the Detroit Tigers was the free agent signing of Ivan Rodriguez ahead of the 2004 season. He was the first Hall of Fame caliber player to don the Olde English D since Alan Trammell.

Pudge was on the downside of his career, but he had enough left in the tank to make four-straight All-Star teams with the Tigers (each of his full seasons with the club) and post a .298/.328/.449 batting line that was well above average for the physically demanding catcher position.

Rodriguez had two signature moments as a member of the Tigers: the team accomplishment of making the World Series in 2006 and putting on a show for the home fans in the 2005 Home Run Derby.

Next: First Base

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