Rodriguez Happy To Be In Pinstripes

Ivan Rodriguez could never get past the New York Yankees in the postseason when he played for the Texas Rangers.

Back in Texas on Wednesday, the new Yankees catcher was content to be in the visitors' clubhouse.

"The Yankees always got great teams," said Rodriguez, remembering New York ousting the Rangers from the postseason three times in the 1990s. "They're always a winning team and they're always in the playoffs."

The Yankees aren't a lock for the playoffs this season, but they're hoping last week's trade for the 14-time All-Star catcher will help. Rodriguez hit his first homer as a Yankee on Sunday in a win over the Los Angeles Angels, which gave New York some momentum entering its four-game series at Texas.

Rodriguez, who entered Monday 3-for-9 since joining the Yankees, said he's getting comfortable after being traded for the first time in his 18-year career.

New York manager Joe Girardi said he knows that much is being asked of Rodriguez to come in and familiarize himself with a new pitching staff at this point in the season.

"You're talking about a Hall of Fame catcher we were able to acquire," Girardi said. "It's a big transition, but we thought he could do it."

The Yankees traded reliever Kyle Farnsworth to Detroit for Rodriguez, filling a void behind the plate after Jorge Posada's season-ending shoulder injury.

"It happens in baseball. You have to be ready for anything," said Rodriguez, back in Texas for the sixth time since leaving the Rangers in 2003. "I'm very happy where I am."

He reached the majors in 1991 with Texas, where Rodriguez quickly established himself as a fan favorite during his 12 seasons with the Rangers. He was the AL MVP in 1999 and remains the club's career leader in hits, doubles and batting average (among players with at least 5,000 plate appearances for the team).

Rodriguez was 19 when he first squatted behind home plate for Texas. Now 36, he has played for the Marlins, Tigers and now Yankees since leaving Texas as a free agent.

Only Michael Young and Hank Blalock remain with the Rangers from Rodriguez's last season in Texas, but he still commands plenty of respect in his old clubhouse.

"He stops the running game. He brings a winning attitude," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He's been catching a long time. He brings a lot of knowledge."

Rodriguez was with the Rangers during their best seasons, leading Texas to what remains its only playoff appearances: 1996, 1998 and 1999, all against the Yankees.

New York beat the Rangers in four games in the 1996 division series, then swept Texas in the other two series. The Rangers scored only two runs in six games against New York in the '98 and '99 playoffs.

"That's why the Yankees," Rodriguez said Monday, "are the Yankees."