Miami Marlins legend has unfinished business in the World Series

The Miami Marlins won the 2003 World Series, back when the team was knows as the Florida Marlins. As The Fish are preparing for next season with some major changes. The Texas Rangers are playing the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series this season, and a certain Fish legend is invested in who wins. I'm talking about legendary catcher Ivan Rodriguez of course. He wants Texas to win.

Miami Marlins legend Ivan Rodriguez wants the Texas Rangers to win the World Series.

Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez played from 1991 to 2002 for the Texas Rangers. It was a historic run for the catcher, as he batted .305/.342/.489 during that time. The best season for Pudge came in 1999, when he batted .332/.356/.558, with 35 home runs and 113 RBI in 144 games and 600 AB. He won the American League MVP award now. He was a contender for the AL MVP awards in 1996, 1997 and 1998 as well. An argument can be made that he's one of the greatest hitting catchers of all time.

Texas was hesitant to re-sign Pudge after the 2002 season due to his injury, so the Florida Marlins signed him instead. The Fish were rewarded with a .297/.369/.474 batting line in 2003, as well as Pudge leading the team to a World Series win. This was The Fish's last World Series win to date, and it's something that wouldn't have happened without Ivan Rodriguez.

Pudge did however play most of his career with the Texas Rangers, and said this about the 2023 World Series:

“Absolutely. Winning the World Series this year for the Texas Rangers would make me so happy.”

He also said:

“I’ve always wanted to see the Texas Rangers win a World Series.”

Ivan Rodriguez is currently a coach with Texas, and wants to win a World Series with them before he retires from the game in every capacity. It would be historic for the Hall of Famer to technically have won the World Series with both of the major teams that he played for. He also played for the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, the Washington Nationals and ironically enough the Houston Astros in the twilight seasons of his career.