It's not worth the risk. Even on a night he goes 0 for 4, Rodriguez changes a game. His arm keeps some runners from attempting to steal and makes others reluctant to even take a sizable lead. Oates says Rodriguez's arm allows Clark to play off the bag when a runner with average speed is on first, closing the hole a lefthanded hitter would otherwise enjoy. The Rangers' pitchers say that with Rodriguez behind the plate, they get more double plays and fewer opposing runners who go from first to third on a single or first to home on a double.
Guys get to first.
Then wait till it's safe to go to second. In addition to his quick release, impeccable footwork and pinpoint accuracy, Rodriguez throws so hard that the ball appears almost misshapen as it speeds toward second. To his prodigious arm, Rodriguez has now added a sense of gamesmanship. Sometimes you can see Pudge smiling about it behind his mask. He started a league-high 140 games behind the plate, a position so grueling that catching 125 games is considered a lot.