Ivan Rodriguez (.347, 27, 83) breaks his thumb when it is struck by Mo Vaughn’s bat swinging on a third strike when the American League MVP attempts to throw out a runner stealing second base. The Texas Rangers’ All-Star catcher will miss the rest of the season.
Major League Season Recap 1999 World Series – New York Yankees AL over Atlanta Braves NL 4 games to 0 World Series MVP – Marino Rivera Babe Ruth Award – Marino Rivera Championship Series ALCS New York Yankees over Boston Red Sox 4 games to 1 ALCS MVP – Orlando Hernandez NLCS Atlanta Braves over New York Mets 4 games…
1999 – Texas Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriguez wins the American League MVP Award. Rodriguez was runner-up for team MVP to Rafael Palmeiro.
Ivan Rodriguez becomes the first catcher in major league history to compile 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in the same season. The Texas backstop reaches the milestone when he swipes second base off Brook Fordyce in the team’s 8-7 loss to the White Sox at Comiskey Park.
At the Kingdome, Rangers’ starter Mike Morgan beats the Mariners for the first time since 1980 when he hurled for the A’s. The interval of 19 years, eight months, and nine days is the longest span of time a hurler has gone between victories over one team.
Ivan Rodriguez, avoiding salary arbitration, agrees to a contract worth $6.65 million to catch for the Rangers. ‘Pudge’ set the record for most doubles by a catcher with 44 last season, and the All-Star receiver also set the major league mark for at-bats by a backstop, with 639, surpassing Johnny Bench’s 621, established in 1970.
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