Love Pudge! He pretty much saved the Tigers when he signed here back in 2004. He helped take them from a 119 loss season to the World Series 3 years later. He will always be a special player in Detroit.
I was an adult through all of Pudge's career. But Nolan Ryan? I was 3 when he made is MLB debut, and 30 when he retired. Great childhood and young adult nostalgia there for me.
My favorite Pudge stat: legendary pitchers whose last (Nolan Ryan) and first (Stephen Strasburg) pitches he caught won World Series games 50 years apart.
@@travisp5747 Pudge himself played for about 20 years, op is pointing out that Pudge caught both Ryan (who pitched in the 1969 World Series with the Mets) and Strasburg (who pitched in the 2019 World Series with the Nationals), who each appeared in the World Series 50 years apart.
I was a huge rangers fan as a kid even though i was from NJ and couldnt watch any games. Nolan Ryan was my favorite player ever. I remember saying to my dadthat i was shocked that the old man won and he said "I sure as hell wouldnt want to fight a 50 year old Texan who throws 100 mph".
"Old man noogies," so much disrespect. He whipped him with his pitching hand and remained in the game after disposing of Ventura and finished the inning
One of the greats!! This guy changed the way “ Catcher” was approached, perceived, and played. A game changer. He had it all really. But that arm was a CANNON!!!
Ventura said when he took his first few steps towards Ryan, he was saying to himself “What am I doing”. If that’s your mindset, it’s not going to end well.
that was a fun Rangers team and a good group of starting pitchers, it was always the bullpen that let them down. Kevin Brown was still kind of a head case back then, and Kenny Rogers hadn't quite bloomed yet either. Bobby Witt was wildly inconsistent. Those were some great summers listening to WBAP with Mark Holtz and Eric Nadel
I took a trip to the D/FW area back in the 70's with family. We passed Arlington Stadium a few times. It was July, so i wish my dad woulda taken me to a Rangers game. I was into the Dodgers and Angels, as we are Californians, but i woulda loved to take in a game while in the area.
First game I ever saw was at The Ballpark in Arlington against the yankees with my dad and my little brother when I was about 6 and I've saw several there as a kid and a couple at the new stadium Go Rangers
That followed Robin Ventura for the rest of his career, he'll it will follow him forever. He was a young star and his reputation never really recovered.
At this point ... over a decade later and the Cubs finally won it all ... if the average baseball fan with knowledge of the Bartman story ran into him, 90% would say, "I am so happy for you the Cubs won, and I am sorry that baseball did that to your life." As we should. Also ... to hell with Alou for basically pointing at Bartman and saying "his fault". Go home and count your money Moises.
Rich Eisen and all these sports journalists are the problem. Listen to Rich’s tone when says “I got it....” Knowing what they did, ESPN, was wrong and he’s not sorry for it
@@sococomfort22s34 yeah he was solid in those areas, plus his arm to 2nd- but controlling pitches from all time greats for 30 years is incredible. If you've ever catched, you know
He's already there. He got in right away. There was no debate on that one. We all saw it. Best catcher since Bench and probably as good as Bench and Bench was #1 all-time.
Ryan Express was a rancher who wrestled many a cattle and used to throw a football 🏈 to warm up , he was throwing 90’s mph when he was 42 years old 7 no hitters a record that will be like DiMaggios 56 game hit streak
The rancher wrestling cattle story sounds good, but I have friends & cousins that grew up & know Nolan Ryan, I don’t think he’s ever wrestled a cow. By the way, one of my cousins & one of my ex-co workers that went to school with Nolan were both rodeo bull riders, they should know. I doubt if he would have risked his career, he’s too smart.
So fortunate in 96 to watch this BA play and got some signatures. Johnny Oates, Juan Gonzales, Rusty Greer and many other greats. Nolan Ryan son lived in Alaska for a little while and played ball up here. Tiny Alaska/Texas Rangers link with that little bit of history. Good to see pudge looking good brother.
I love the way Pudge says about the Ryan Ventura incident as an "accident". 🤣I use the same word to describe a trauma I had when I got robbed and stabbed in the head.
As a Tiger fan I was really bummed when they traded him away - when they were only 5 games out of first in division. The GM(Dumb browski) essentially gave up that year. Jim Leyland even said he and Pudge had butted heads but Jim said it wasn't that bad and he held no grudge. For a crusty old manager like him that is almost a compliment.
Understand that! I’m a lifelong Astros fan, and was so pissed off when they let Nolan Ryan go to the Rangers. He could have finished in Houston and gone to the Hall of Fame in as an Astro; not a Ranger.
Meanwhile, the original question: “Who’s the best player you played with?” never got followed up on and never got answered. That’s some great interviewing skills you got there, Eisen.
@@TEAMGETHELP Dude, why would he say Cabrera? They played together for half a season. Cabrera wasn't even a full time player at the time. Pudge responded with Juan Gonzalez because they played together for a decade. Juan was the best player in baseball for multiple seasons. Wtf are YOU thinking?
@Dartgame 340 Thats your opinion. For me Ivan Rodriguez is and he has 3 more golden gloves and played in a different era too with way stronger guys than when Bench played.
Ramon Colon I agree with Ramon Colon...Yogi played before the game was fully integrated so he doesn’t count - and Johnny Bench wasn’t the defensive catcher that Pudge was.
People would love more behind the scenes stories of all sports. Be nice if more players would tour and tell them. Added income to former players. Careers don’t last long in most sports but the stories will be forever. .
Pushed Rodriguez used to drive a Porsche 911 Turbo in those days when he was playing with the Rangers. I used to see him regularly tearing it up in that car... Copeland Rd.
@@scottdavis4388 actually Pudge was a better all around hitter than Bench except for power; almost a career 300 hitter, with I believe close to 3000 hits and over 300 Homer. Pudge wasn't no slouch with the lumber. also about 500 doubles and the little guy was.very durable Bench beats him in power, close second in defense and that's about it.
If you stole second with Nolan Ryan pitching 108 mph and Pudge throwing at least 90 back to second you would have been as mythical as sasquatch and the toothfairy
@chazbukowski It ain't the UFC bud just relax. I doubt anybody in baseball who has charged the mound has regretted it as much as Ventura who got headlocked like a small child. I doubt Nolan's intent was to really punch as hard as he could to get the knockout and win twice the prize money.
Ryan said that he was at the bottom of the pile and felt like he was suffocating. He recalls a big strong arm reaching down to lift him up, and it was Bo’s.
That first punch from Nolan was clocked at 103 mph.
9Ballr that exit velocity was intense
9Ballr , yeah. Robin was guessing curve and it caught him off-guard.
@@chalkbunt81 according to ivan, Nolan threw fastball 90 to 95% of the time. Not a smart guess by Ventura.
and at 27% launch angle
Stop it! 😄
Love Pudge! He pretty much saved the Tigers when he signed here back in 2004. He helped take them from a 119 loss season to the World Series 3 years later. He will always be a special player in Detroit.
I was ecstatic when Detroit signed him.
So pissed when he didnt get ring w y’all.
He should have mentioned Miggy when he was asked who the greatest players were that he ever played with.
@@MrKFREE123Who did the Tigers lose against that year?
Ventura is the only player in MLB history to get seven hits in a game vs Nolan Ryan
zachariah short LOL
Hahaha
You’re like the 114th person to tell that joke
Robin Ventura despite getting whooped. Kicked the Ranger's ass on the ball field, he torched Texas pitching
@@DingDangg today
That was a legendary fight. Even Bo Jackson was in the middle of it tossing guys around like dad separating his kids in a brawl
Bo knows.
He pulled Nolan up from that fight! Him and Ryan had a great relationship
Best part was Bo Jackson and Frank Thomas playing bouncer and tearing full grown athletes off the pile like they were moving children.
Yup!! Nobody talks about that.
She'll like it too!
Absolutely !
If they decided to fight instead of breaking everything up, the Rangers would have had some big problems on their hands 😂😂
“Pudge” is part of my childhood. Pure nostalgia.
Me too. The Tigers would’ve remained in the cellar if it wasn’t for him
Me three, I think he was the best catcher from the 90s. Yadier Molina reminds me of him because they both have great arms.
I was an adult through all of Pudge's career. But Nolan Ryan? I was 3 when he made is MLB debut, and 30 when he retired. Great childhood and young adult nostalgia there for me.
"Getting to the wrong spot of Nolan." Nailed it. He nailed it right there!
That would imply there was a "right" spot to get of Nolan in a fight and I am not sure that exists...
6piece spicy.
Advantage Ryan.
Nolan said he had Dave Winfield charge him earlier and he stepped back. He said he wouldn't step back again if anyone else charged him again.
My favorite Pudge stat: legendary pitchers whose last (Nolan Ryan) and first (Stephen Strasburg) pitches he caught won World Series games 50 years apart.
Interesting.
He played for 50 years. Wow one in a generation type a guy
@@travisp5747 Pudge himself played for about 20 years, op is pointing out that Pudge caught both Ryan (who pitched in the 1969 World Series with the Mets) and Strasburg (who pitched in the 2019 World Series with the Nationals), who each appeared in the World Series 50 years apart.
That’s insane
I was a huge rangers fan as a kid even though i was from NJ and couldnt watch any games. Nolan Ryan was my favorite player ever. I remember saying to my dadthat i was shocked that the old man won and he said "I sure as hell wouldnt want to fight a 50 year old Texan who throws 100 mph".
I’m from Texas I concur
Nolan Ryan was a very big dude. Look at some old video. His legs and lower half are extremely big and muscular. He was built like a horse.
@@yankees29 And he also worked out like a horse.......in the gym and on his ranch.
@@quasimotto8653 I would imagine so
"Old man noogies," so much disrespect.
He whipped him with his pitching hand and remained in the game after disposing of Ventura and finished the inning
Absolutely. Typical of “them”
yeah...Old Man my Ass...Nolan Ryan was I believe mid 40's at the time and was still very much a Bad Man!
put down 12 of the next 13 batters!!
Yeah, who TF is this guy? I've never even heard of him.
@@stevefowler2112 46 is "old" in baseball terms, that and Ventura was 20 years his junior.
That remains the funniest thing I've ever seen in sports.
That and the ball bounces off Jose canseco forehead for a homerun.
Guess you never seen Mike Ditka in his playing days close line a protester and the cop chasing him.
I remember watching this game as a kid and is still my favorite baseball moment ever
Canseco honer off head was pretty funny!
How bout the game where they gave away like 10,000 baseballs at dodger stadium and what transpired next was exactly what you’d think would happen lmao
Love Pudge. Growing up playing catcher I always looked up to him. He made throwing out baserunnsers so cool.
Santiago made it cool long before Pudge...and he threw them out from the crouch.
@@KeepItSimpleSemperFi oh yeah, Benito was nasty too.
@Snuff I am old enough to have worn 09 as a catcher to be like Benito Santiago, who I watched regularly at home games in the late 80s and 90s.
@Luke Skyballer 😆
One of the greats!! This guy changed the way “ Catcher” was approached, perceived, and played. A game changer. He had it all really. But that arm was a CANNON!!!
How did he change the game or how to catch ?
Apparently you missed it
@@reidjames4638 They run a tad faster in Pudge's day than in Johnny's.
"He got in the wrong spot...and it wasn't fun." Awesome.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Ventura said when he took his first few steps towards Ryan, he was saying to himself “What am I doing”. If that’s your mindset, it’s not going to end well.
Just imagine the power in Ryan’s right arm? Dude throws HARDER than most any pitcher any era. Been throwing like that 40 + years! Damn!
His legs and lower body are ridiculously muscular to.
I watch that fight regularly
Sumner Waite I think the only fight I was even close to as much was Odor punching Bautista
never gets old
Me too. It’s one of the best compared to Odor and Bautista
It's the best white sox play in they're history
Same. I love it!
I will never forget that day! The old man put it right on him 🤗
One of the greatest moments in sports.
Wow, I have that picture of Nolan, Ventura and Pudge in my office. But I've never noticed the gauze on his face.
A lot of great years watching Ivan in Detroit.
He looks like a Latino Charles Barkley.
The Hessmo Show 😂😂😂😂
Only shorter.
Hahaha
That’s just horrbal
Why? Because he has a big head?
Ivan Rodriguez and Juan Gonzalez my all time favs!! 🙏🏽
that was a fun Rangers team and a good group of starting pitchers, it was always the bullpen that let them down. Kevin Brown was still kind of a head case back then, and Kenny Rogers hadn't quite bloomed yet either. Bobby Witt was wildly inconsistent. Those were some great summers listening to WBAP with Mark Holtz and Eric Nadel
Pudge was a beauty. One of the best ever and yet so humble.
Best defensive catcher in MLB history.
Lol yadi way better
@@inlinechris I see you never saw pudge play my friend.
@@inlinechris no pudge way better!
Pudge was much better than Yadi offensively. And, they were pretty equal defensively. So, the nod goes to Pudge.
Both wrong. Bench is number 1
damn, can you imagine if this guy was your catching coach, how awesome
I'll take bench
I remember watching this game live in 93 me and my dad went nuts 😂
Nolan Ryan proved he had the hardest knuckles in history! 😄
Surprised he mentioned Dean Palmer among all the great players he played with.
grew up a Rangers & Cubs fan. Pudge was and still is my favorite Ranger. Glad he got his ring, glad Bartman did too.
I was there as a kid, sitting in the outfield seats. Will never forget it.
The best players I've ever seen were of that era.
Lucky to have grew up watching pudge and the greats play in arlington! The old stadium!!
I took a trip to the D/FW area back in the 70's with family. We passed Arlington Stadium a few times. It was July, so i wish my dad woulda taken me to a Rangers game. I was into the Dodgers and Angels, as we are Californians, but i woulda loved to take in a game while in the area.
Loved those rangers teams as a kid.
First game I ever saw was at The Ballpark in Arlington against the yankees with my dad and my little brother when I was about 6 and I've saw several there as a kid and a couple at the new stadium Go Rangers
Robin "Speedbag" Ventura...LOL
The best catcher I have ever seen play. An amazing ball player.
I was lucky enough to see Johnny Bench in his prime. I'd take him over Pudge, but not by much.
If you watch when Ventura walks to the mound to pull a pitcher now, he flinches. Flashbacks from that ass whoopin
That followed Robin Ventura for the rest of his career, he'll it will follow him forever. He was a young star and his reputation never really recovered.
EVERY fan around Bartman tried to catch that foul ball - watch the video
At this point ... over a decade later and the Cubs finally won it all ... if the average baseball fan with knowledge of the Bartman story ran into him, 90% would say, "I am so happy for you the Cubs won, and I am sorry that baseball did that to your life." As we should. Also ... to hell with Alou for basically pointing at Bartman and saying "his fault". Go home and count your money Moises.
@@jasonfaulkner8644 Moises reaction at the moment was as natural as Bartman's. After the game and henceforth he wasn't mad at him any longer.
Rich Eisen and all these sports journalists are the problem. Listen to Rich’s tone when says “I got it....” Knowing what they did, ESPN, was wrong and he’s not sorry for it
Being a pitcher, that's one of my all time favorite moments in baseball. Good job, Nolan! 🤣
One of my favorite backstops
I could watch old ball players tell stories about their playing days for hours and hours!
I so it live on TV when it happened.... My mouth dropped and that day I learn to have respect for my elders!
My son's favorite player of all time. Since 4th grade my son has been a catcher.
The great pitchers this man has caught for. An absolute legend.
It’s not who he caught but how he played defense behind the plate that earned his plaque in Cooperstown. Also a good hitter for a catcher
@@sococomfort22s34 yeah he was solid in those areas, plus his arm to 2nd- but controlling pitches from all time greats for 30 years is incredible. If you've ever catched, you know
@@sococomfort22s34 Pudge had a cannon, and good luck getting him off the plate.
Dean Palmer wow he just took me back! Loved those rangers teams!!!!
3-4-5 of Gonzalez, Franco, and Palmeiro...never again!! Ever!!
Pudge was one hell of a player. Deserves to be in the HALL.
Asolutely
Of control
Joe Pedroza I would tune in just to watch him hose people down at second base!!
He's already there. He got in right away. There was no debate on that one. We all saw it. Best catcher since Bench and probably as good as Bench and Bench was #1 all-time.
Roids
Love the Juan Gonzalez mention off the jump. He was one of my favorite players to watch in the 90s.
Fellow Puerto Rican - he had to show love
@@michaelgibbons75 Gonzo is one of my favorite players. Watching him hit the 157 RBI in 98’ was amazing.
Same.. he was a beast
Definitely and My All Time favorite!!
Ryan Express was a rancher who wrestled many a cattle and used to throw a football 🏈 to warm up , he was throwing 90’s mph when he was 42 years old 7 no hitters a record that will be like DiMaggios 56 game hit streak
I remember watching him as a kid towards the end of his career and he was still hitting 100 at times
He was throwing 95 when he was 46 years old during his last year in 1993... I remember watching it. Total freak of nature!
Notty Boy yep. Never needed to,my John or anything
He also did steroids when canseco was there
The rancher wrestling cattle story sounds good, but I have friends & cousins that grew up & know Nolan Ryan, I don’t think he’s ever wrestled a cow. By the way, one of my cousins & one of my ex-co workers that went to school with Nolan were both rodeo bull riders, they should know. I doubt if he would have risked his career, he’s too smart.
"Dude as old as my dad just nailed me with a pitch, so I think I'll just run straight up into a headlock and a.few more blows to the head? Yeah!"
So fortunate in 96 to watch this BA play and got some signatures. Johnny Oates, Juan Gonzales, Rusty Greer and many other greats. Nolan Ryan son lived in Alaska for a little while and played ball up here. Tiny Alaska/Texas Rangers link with that little bit of history. Good to see pudge looking good brother.
Truly a class act! Great catcher.. wish Yankees had gotten him sooner than they did..
I loved watching this guy with Juan gonzalez playing against Griffey and the Mariners in the king dome when I was a kid.
Pudge Pudge Pudge...
Nolan was not another Pedro.
Pedro wishes he were Nolan Ryan. Nobody was like no one. That’s why he’s the GOAT
I love the way Pudge says about the Ryan Ventura incident as an "accident". 🤣I use the same word to describe a trauma I had when I got robbed and stabbed in the head.
hope ur healing up!
I think he meant to say "incident." 😊
@@kimhorton9836 No, I'm sure he meant accident! Catchers always defend their pitchers.
"and that's when the accident happened" hahahahaha
“Old man nuggies” 😂 that’s a great way to describe Nolan’s headlock move
As a Tiger fan I was really bummed when they traded him away - when they were only 5 games out of first in division. The GM(Dumb browski) essentially gave up that year. Jim Leyland even said he and Pudge had butted heads but Jim said it wasn't that bad and he held no grudge. For a crusty old manager like him that is almost a compliment.
Understand that! I’m a lifelong Astros fan, and was so pissed off when they let Nolan Ryan go to the Rangers. He could have finished in Houston and gone to the Hall of Fame in as an Astro; not a Ranger.
Ventura reminds me of a young kid who challenges his Dad to a fight, only to get reminded he's not fully grown yet.
There used to be a bar in Fort Worth called the Red Star. It featured a 30x10 mural of this fight.. it was awesome.
Meanwhile, the original question: “Who’s the best player you played with?” never got followed up on and never got answered.
That’s some great interviewing skills you got there, Eisen.
Even better from Pudge not to single anyone out.
He said Juan Gonzales.
He said Juan Gonzalez
How about mr triple crown? Wtf
@@TEAMGETHELP Dude, why would he say Cabrera? They played together for half a season. Cabrera wasn't even a full time player at the time. Pudge responded with Juan Gonzalez because they played together for a decade. Juan was the best player in baseball for multiple seasons. Wtf are YOU thinking?
The Fish put up eight runs during the inning of the Bartman debacle. What's there not to love about Pudge? Great piece here.
Great random stat!
Pudge is awesome
I miss the days when this man and all those greats played
That's when "The Accident" happened. Good for Pudge! He should narrate books for all ages. I'm all in!
The Rangers had all the sweet batting stances
I completely forgot he was on the 2003 Marlins
The best catcher ever. Mr. Ivan Rodriguez!
@Dartgame 340
Thats your opinion. For me Ivan Rodriguez is and he has 3 more golden gloves and played in a different era too with way stronger guys than when Bench played.
Don't forget Bobby Witt he was on that rangers team, always liked him. Glad he won a world series with the diamondbacks
There are many great catchers out there, but none can't compare to the the legend Ivan Rodriguez no question ask. 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷
Think Johnny and Yogi might differ with you. Give me Yogi. And I'm a Ranger and Pudge fan.
Ramon Colon
I agree with Ramon Colon...Yogi played before the game was fully integrated so he doesn’t count - and Johnny Bench wasn’t the defensive catcher that Pudge was.
@@marcosnegron2834 Bench was better,. no past balls, threw better, hit better.
I concur
People would love more behind the scenes stories of all sports. Be nice if more players would tour and tell them.
Added income to former players. Careers don’t last long in most sports but the stories will be forever.
.
My number one all time sports moment......
every first question to a catcher should be "how are you knees holding up?"
That was one great fight! How NOT to charge the mound!!!
He has a Tiger Woods costume on and we’re gonna ignore that?
😂
LMAO @ costume!
Pushed Rodriguez used to drive a Porsche 911 Turbo in those days when he was playing with the Rangers. I used to see him regularly tearing it up in that car... Copeland Rd.
In my unqualified opinion, this guy is the greatest catcher of all time.
Best defensive catcher, but Bench will always be the best all around catcher.
Yogi Berra has stats no one can touch...
@@scottdavis4388 actually Pudge was a better all around hitter than Bench except for power; almost a career 300 hitter, with I believe close to 3000 hits and over 300 Homer. Pudge wasn't no slouch with the lumber.
also about 500 doubles and the little guy was.very durable Bench beats him in power, close second in defense and that's about it.
he was a big steroid user
Ventura got more than he bargained for. Nolan was tougher than two dollar steak.
LOL... Those with tendons in every bite...shoe soles!
One of the best ever to stand behind the plate
Really surprised Ivan did not mention Miguel Cabrera. He played in Miami with him but only 1 year in 2003. But then Miguel was a 20 yr old rookie
I-Rod: Class. Perseverance. Dedication. Professional. Humility. Generosity. & Class! -White Sox Fan
Don't forget work ethic
@@carlsherfy8018 Yeee'up!
Seconded from a Brewers fan
@@vicross11 Werrrrrrrd!
The man is the best ever. He didn’t just strike you out. He stuck you out and then your kids later. Geez. Best ever. ⚾️
God, I love Pudge and miss the good ole days of sports.
God bless Iván.good men.
I could have sworn he said 95% passed balls lol.
Yes he did
Alou throwing a temper tantrum sent them to their fate. He keeps his cool and focus and the energy stays with the Cubbies.
Pudge was just awesome. Arguably the best catcher ever.
If you stole second with Nolan Ryan pitching 108 mph and Pudge throwing at least 90 back to second you would have been as mythical as sasquatch and the toothfairy
Ryan is known for his many amazing accomplishments. Ventura is best known for getting owned by Ryan.
Glad to see how much better his English has gotten over all these decades.
Great interview. Pudge is great.
You don't want to be on the receiving end of some major league noogies from a guy that threw 100mph + fastballs.
Groan. It was awesome. Not over hyped at all. Simply awesome and Nolan kicked that dude's butt and this interview makes it even better.
He's like in his 60's now and still throws in the 80's mph range
Try 105+ mph
@@bigkilla2608 he's estimated to have hit 108 mph. However Steve Dalkowski is the hardest thrower in history but couldn't throw strikes. Try 110+ mph
@chazbukowski It ain't the UFC bud just relax. I doubt anybody in baseball who has charged the mound has regretted it as much as Ventura who got headlocked like a small child. I doubt Nolan's intent was to really punch as hard as he could to get the knockout and win twice the prize money.
Legend has it that Nolan is still beating on Robin's dome to this day.
2:35 One of my favorite moments is his recreation of the noogies.
This guy is my favorite catcher
Ryan said that he was at the bottom of the pile and felt like he was suffocating. He recalls a big strong arm reaching down to lift him up, and it was Bo’s.
Best catcher of all time hands down!
No..... bench was better
@@csnide6702nope!
Definitely and Bench a very close second. Just facts
Nolan was just bitter that he was giving up Home Runs to the likes of Ozzie Gullen, 5'4" Craig Greybeck and Ventura in his past 2 starts.
"Old man noogie"...... classic!
Hearing Rodriquez talk about this oh so memorable incident in sports lore is just one of the MANY reasons why MLB is the best.
Was the Best! No longer.
He was catching with a broken jaw repair? Wow
He had the toughness of a Hockey player and a cannon for an arm.