Texas Rangers

Pudge Rodriguez celebrates Hall of Fame in native Puerto Rico

By Stefan Stevenson

sstevenson@star-telegram.com
Students pose for a photo with Pudge Rodriguez, who was celebrated at his hometown school, José Gualberto Padilla Elementary, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Friday, Jan. 27. Rodriguez is the fourth native Puerto Rican inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and is the youngest inductee at 45.
Students pose for a photo with Pudge Rodriguez, who was celebrated at his hometown school, José Gualberto Padilla Elementary, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Friday, Jan. 27. Rodriguez is the fourth native Puerto Rican inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and is the youngest inductee at 45. Carlos Giusti photo@star-telegram.com

Pudge Rodriguez visited his native Puerto Rico Friday to celebrate his recent selection into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Rodriguez was honored at the Museum of Sports Fame in his hometown Vega Baja and visited students at his former elementary school Jose Gualberto Padilla and was blessed by a priest. Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello greeted Rodriguez and helped celebrate the local hero’s achievement.

Rodriguez is the fourth native Puerto Rican in the hall and is the youngest inductee at 45 years old. He’ll be inducted in Cooperstown, N.Y., on July 30 along with Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines.

Pudge Rodriguez is honored at the Museum of Sport Fame in his hometown Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Friday, Jan. 27. Rodriguez celebrated his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He’s the fourth native Puerto Rican in the hall and became the youngest inductee at 45 years old.
Pudge Rodriguez is honored at the Museum of Sport Fame in his hometown Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Friday, Jan. 27. Rodriguez celebrated his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He’s the fourth native Puerto Rican in the hall and became the youngest inductee at 45 years old. Carlos Giusti photo@star-telegram.com
A student raises his cap to an image of Pudge Rodriguez, who was celebrating at his hometown school, José Gualberto Padilla Elementary, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Friday, Jan. 27. Rodriguez is the fourth native Puerto Rican inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and is the youngest inductee at 45.
A student raises his cap to an image of Pudge Rodriguez, who was celebrating at his hometown school, José Gualberto Padilla Elementary, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Friday, Jan. 27. Rodriguez is the fourth native Puerto Rican inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and is the youngest inductee at 45. Carlos Giusti photo@star-telegram.com
Andres Waldemar, Recreation and Sports Department secretary and Education Department secretary Julia Keleher, accompany Pudge Rodriguez, who was received in his hometown school, José Gualberto Padilla Elementary, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Friday, Jan. 27. Rodriguez is the fourth native Puerto Rican inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and is the youngest inductee at 45.
Andres Waldemar, Recreation and Sports Department secretary and Education Department secretary Julia Keleher, accompany Pudge Rodriguez, who was received in his hometown school, José Gualberto Padilla Elementary, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Friday, Jan. 27. Rodriguez is the fourth native Puerto Rican inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and is the youngest inductee at 45. Carlos Giusti photo@star-telegram.com
Pudge Rodriguez is blessed by a priest during a church service in his hometown Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Friday, Jan. 27. Rodriguez is the fourth native Puerto Rican inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and is the youngest inductee at 45.
Pudge Rodriguez is blessed by a priest during a church service in his hometown Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Friday, Jan. 27. Rodriguez is the fourth native Puerto Rican inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and is the youngest inductee at 45. Carlos Giusti photo@star-telegram.com
Pudge Rodriguez is received in his hometown Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Friday, Jan. 27. Rodriguez is the fourth native Puerto Rican inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and is the youngest inductee at 45.
Pudge Rodriguez is received in his hometown Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Friday, Jan. 27. Rodriguez is the fourth native Puerto Rican inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and is the youngest inductee at 45. Carlos Giusti photo@star-telegram.com
A student waits for Pudge Rodriguez, who visited his hometown school, José Gualberto Padilla Elementary, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Friday, Jan. 27. Rodriguez is the fourth native Puerto Rican inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and is the youngest inductee at 45.
A student waits for Pudge Rodriguez, who visited his hometown school, José Gualberto Padilla Elementary, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Friday, Jan. 27. Rodriguez is the fourth native Puerto Rican inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and is the youngest inductee at 45. Carlos Giusti photo@star-telegram.com

Stefan Stevenson: 817-390-7760, @StevensonFWST

This story was originally published January 27, 2017 at 4:54 PM with the headline "Pudge Rodriguez celebrates Hall of Fame in native Puerto Rico."

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