Tigers by the Numbers: Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez

(This is the seventh episode of Tigers by the Numbers, where we take a look at a current or former player that wore each uniform number. If you want to find the list so far, click here to find the others.) With the Tigers clinging to a three-game cushion in the AL Central race on the season’s final off-day, I decided that I needed a break from the pennant race and have turned my attention to a player who perhaps more than anyone else was responsible for bringing winning baseball back to Detroit. There were others who wore No. 7 for the Tigers before him, and there will certainly be others to wear it in the future, but perhaps no one will bring as much to Detroit as Pudge Rodriguez did. So, with apologies to Billy Rogell (SS, 1930-39), Harvey Kuenn (SS/OF, 1952-59), Rocky Colavito (OF, 1960-63), Rick Leach (1B/DH, 1981-83), and Dean Palmer (3B/DH, 1999-2003), all of whom were at least briefly considered for this spot, we now present No. 7: Ivan “Pudge” Rodrigue...