| Fernando Rodney | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Rodney with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012 | |||||||||||||||
| Hamilton Cardinals – No. 56 | |||||||||||||||
| Pitcher | |||||||||||||||
| Born: (1977-03-18)March 18, 1977 (age 48) Samaná, Dominican Republic | |||||||||||||||
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |||||||||||||||
| MLB debut | |||||||||||||||
| May 4, 2002, for the Detroit Tigers | |||||||||||||||
| Last MLB appearance | |||||||||||||||
| September 28, 2019, for the Washington Nationals | |||||||||||||||
| MLB statistics | |||||||||||||||
| Win–loss record | 48–71 | ||||||||||||||
| Earned run average | 3.80 | ||||||||||||||
| Strikeouts | 943 | ||||||||||||||
| Saves | 327 | ||||||||||||||
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |||||||||||||||
| Teams | |||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Fernando Rodney (born March 18, 1977) is aDominican–American professionalbaseballpitcher for theHamilton Cardinals of theIntercounty Baseball League (IBL). He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theDetroit Tigers,Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim,Tampa Bay Rays,Seattle Mariners,Chicago Cubs,San Diego Padres,Miami Marlins,Arizona Diamondbacks,Minnesota Twins,Oakland Athletics, andWashington Nationals.
Rodney made his MLB debut in MLB in 2002, and joined the300 save club in 2017. In the 2019 season, followingIchiro Suzuki's retirement, Rodney became the oldest active MLB player and was the last player born in the 1970s to play in the majors. Rodney won aWorld Series championship with the Nationals in2019, his most recent season in MLB.
Rodney is a three-timeMLB All-Star. He won theMLB Delivery Man of the Year Award andAmerican LeagueComeback Player of the Year Award in 2012. He throws a 95 mphfastball,[1] and apalmball in the low 80s. Rodney is a cousin ofAlfredo Fígaro.[2][3] He is known for celebrating by shooting a pretend bow and arrow into the sky.
Rodney was signed by theDetroit Tigers as an amateurfree agent in 1997. He spent 1999–2003 in the minor leagues, moving from theGulf Coast League to theInternational League. Rodney underwentTommy John surgery following the 2003 season, which he spent in the minor leagues. He spent the 2004 season recovering and failed to make the Tigers'Opening Day roster after 2005spring training.
Rodney made his Major League debut in 2002 at the age of 25 and split his time between theTriple-AToledo Mud Hens and the Tigers from 2002 to 2005.
In 2005, Rodney became the Tigerscloser afterTroy Percival went down with an arm injury and his replacement,Kyle Farnsworth, was traded at mid-season to theAtlanta Braves. He was called up from Toledo after Farnsworth was traded, then settled into the closer role, earning ninesaves in 39 total appearances, during which he racked up a 2.86earned run average.
When the Tigers signed closerTodd Jones during the 2006 off-season, Rodney was reinserted into a middle relief/setup role. Rodney embraced the role as the Tigers proceeded to have their most successful season in recent history.
On July 3, 2006, atMcAfee Coliseum inOakland, California,Justin Verlander,Joel Zumaya, and Rodney each threw multiple fastballs clocked in at over 100 mph, becoming the first time in MLB history that three pitchers on the same team had done so during one game. Rodney was part of the2006 World Series roster, hid first World Series appearance. The Tigers would end up losing the series to theSt. Louis Cardinals.
Rodney started 2008 on thedisabled list withshouldertendinitis. He re-joined the big league club in mid-June. On July 27, Rodney was announced as the Tigers' new closer, replacing Jones. Rodney was not particularly successful as a closer in 2008, saving only 13 games in 19 opportunities (68%) and pitching to a 4.91 ERA. He was much more reliable in 2009, converting 37 of his 38 save opportunities (97%). He also led the American League with 65 games finished in 2009.
Following the 2009 season, Rodney became a free agent. The Tigers offeredarbitration to Rodney, which he rejected to pursue a multi-year deal.[4] He was expected to be one of the more valuable closers on the market because as a "Type B" free agent, he would only cost teams a supplementary draft pick. His 1.40ground ball/fly ball ratio was the highest among free-agent closers.[5] Originally, theBaltimore Orioles andPhiladelphia Phillies were rumored to be interested in signing Rodney. TheLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim were also reported to be in serious discussions with his agent.[6]
On December 24, 2009, Rodney signed a two-year, $11 million contract with theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim.[7] Although he closed for the Detroit Tigers in 2009, "Rodney is expected to share setup duties withScot Shields andKevin Jepsen and close on a fill-in basis when Brian Fuentes is down", theLos Angeles Times reported.[8] Rodney stated, "I think I'm a different pitcher in save situations", referring to his lower ERA in save situations. He filled in April for Angels' closerBrian Fuentes when he went on the disabled list with a strained back.[9]
Three days after the Angels traded Fuentes to the Minnesota Twins on August 27, 2010,[10] managerMike Scioscia announced that Rodney would be the team's closer.[11] On April 5, 2011,Jordan Walden replaced Rodney as the full-time closer. Toward the end of the 2011 season, Rodney became frustrated after a lack of relief appearances and asked Angelsgeneral managerTony Reagins for a trade.[12]
Rodney signed a $1.75 million deal with theTampa Bay Rays for the 2012 season. WhileKyle Farnsworth was on the 60-day disabled list, Rodney performed in thecloser role and maintained that role after Farnsworth returned from his injury. He was selected on July 6 to participate in his first everAll-Star Game.[13] At that point in the season, he had converted 24 of 25 save opportunities. At the end of the 2012 season, Rodney had 48 saves, second-most behindJim Johnson of theBaltimore Orioles. His 0.60earned run average for the season was the lowest by a qualifying relief pitcher in major league history (later surpassed byZack Britton in 2016).[14][15] On October 19, 2012, Rodney was named theAL Comeback Player of the Year and theDelivery Man of the Year.[16] During his time with the Rays, Rodney mimed shooting an arrow to high center field after converting a save as his celebration move.
On February 6, 2014, Rodney signed a 2-year, $14 million contract with theSeattle Mariners.[17] After leading the American League in saves in the first half of the season, Rodney was a late addition to the All-Star team, taking the spot ofDavid Price (who had pitched the Sunday before the game and thus could not pitch in the game). Rodney finished the 2014 season with an MLB-best 48 saves, which also toppedKazuhiro Sasaki's 45 saves for a new Mariners franchise record.
Rodney was unable to continue his success into 2015, carrying a 5–5 record (with 16 saves in 22 opportunities) and a 5.68 ERA before the Marinersdesignated him for assignment on August 22.[18]
Rodney was traded to theChicago Cubs for cash on August 27, 2015.[18] He wore jersey #57, the first time in his career in which he wore a number other than 56. His Cubs debut came on August 28 atDodger Stadium, where he already blew a save during the season. He pitched a scoreless eighth despite hitting a batter and throwing a wild pitch. With the Cubs in 2015, Rodney allowed only one earned run in 12 innings.
On February 4, 2016, Rodney signed a one-year, $2 million contract with theSan Diego Padres.[19] On April 11, 2016, Rodney pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his first save as a Padre in a win over thePhiladelphia Phillies.
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Despite going 17-for-17 in save situations and posting a 0.31 ERA for the Padres, Rodney was traded to theMiami Marlins on June 30, 2016, forChris Paddack.[20] He was 2–3 with Miami and pitched to a 5.89 ERA.
On December 9, 2016, Rodney signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with theArizona Diamondbacks.[21] Rodney recorded his first win for theDiamondbacks on opening day and his first save in his next appearance on April 5, 2017.[22][23] On June 7, Rodney became the 42nd pitcher all-time tofinish 500 career games. On September 22, Rodney became the 28th pitcher all-time to record300 career saves in a victory over theMiami Marlins.[24][25]
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On December 15, 2017, Rodney signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with theMinnesota Twins. The contract included incentives that could increase the amount to $6 million, as well as a 2019 team option.[26]
On August 9, 2018, the Twins traded Rodney to theOakland Athletics in exchange for minor league pitcherDakota Chalmers.[27] In 22 games for the A's, Rodney served as a setup man. He pitched to a 3.92 ERA in20+2⁄3 innings. In 2018 he was the third-oldest player in the American League.[28]
On May 25, 2019, Rodney was designated for assignment by the Oakland A's. The A's released Rodney three days later.[29] He had a 9.42 ERA in 17 appearances.
On June 1, 2019, Rodney signed a minor league contract with theWashington Nationals.[30] On June 25, he was called up to the major leagues.[31]
His combined record in 2019 was 0–5 with two saves and a 5.66 ERA in47+2⁄3 innings.[28] He was the second-oldest player in the major leagues, behindIchiro Suzuki.[28] Rodney became the fourth player to appear in all rounds of the postseason (Wild Card, Division Series, Champion Series, and World Series) in both the AL and NL.[32] He had 6 postseason appearances, 3 of which came in theWorld Series. The Nationals won, giving him his first championship at the age of 42.
On July 18, 2020, Rodney signed on to play for theSugar Land Skeeters of theConstellation Energy League, a makeshift 4-team independent league created as a result of theCOVID-19 pandemic, for the 2020 season.[33]
On July 31, 2020, the Houston Astros signed Rodney to a minor league deal.[34] Rodney was released by the Astros on September 2, 2020 after training at the team's alternate site.[35][36]
On March 1, 2021, Rodney signed with theToros de Tijuana of theMexican League.[37] He led the league with 16 saves, won the "Reliever of the Year" award, and saved 9 games in the playoffs to help the Toros win their secondchampionship.[38] Rodney returned to the Toros in 2022, and posted a 6–1 record with a 3.00 ERA and 22 saves in 39 innings pitched.
On December 29, 2022, Rodney was traded to theGuerreros de Oaxaca for PFrancis Martes, and subsequently loaned to theDiablos Rojos del México for the 2023 season.[39] He made 6 appearances, posting a 2–1 record with a 6.35 ERA over5+2⁄3 innings. Rodney was released on May 7, 2023.[36]
On May 12, 2023, Rodney signed with theLeones de Yucatán.[40] In 18 appearances, he posted a 6.16 ERA and registered 6 saves over 19 innings pitched. Rodney was waived on July 3.[41]
On November 28, 2024, Rodney signed with theHamilton Cardinals of thesemi-professionalIntercounty Baseball League.[42] He signed after the Canadian team's owner visited him in the Dominican Republic and said the team could only pay him in lodging and meals. Rodney said his goal is to keep pitching until he is 50 years old.[43]
Rodney has primarily been a fastball-changeup pitcher. He throws both a two-seam sinking fastball averaging 95–96 MPH, and a four seam fastball averaging 96–97 MPH. His fastball has been thrown as high as 101.5 MPH in 2013. By 2025, his fastball was 92–93 MPH. His main offspeed pitch is apalmball-style changeup at about 84 MPH. Opponents have hit the changeup at just a .179 clip over Rodney's career.[44][43]
Rodney is known for wearing his cap tilted at an angle toward the left side of his head. He said in 2016 that it came about as a tribute to his father, Ulise Rodney, who was a fisherman. Ulise also wore his cap tilted to the side because that was the side the sun hit his face. Rodney also said the tilted cap could be confusing for both hitters and baserunners. "The hitter looks for your eyes. It's like a dog. When you go somewhere, the first thing (a dog) looks at is your eyes and how you move."[45]
Rodney is also known for celebrating asave by pretending to shoot abow and arrow toward the sky, usually at a point high over center field.[46][47] He started the routine while with the Rays after saving a 1–0 ballgame on April 16, 2012, against their rival, theBoston Red Sox.[48] It became his tradition after successfully saving each game that season, and soon involved his Rays teammates. The infielders would approach the mound to watch Rodney shoot the arrow, and first basemanCarlos Pena would ask him where it had gone, with both theatrically pointing off into the distance as if following its flight.[49]
In a July 20, 2014 game while pitching for the Seattle Mariners against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels, Rodney did the routine after making the third out to end the eighth inning. However, this time he mimicked shooting the arrow at the Angels dugout. In the ninth inning after walkingMike Trout on five pitches, Angels playerAlbert Pujols hit a double, scoring Trout, and mimicked shooting a bow and arrow from second base towards Trout. Trout then "shot an arrow" back at Pujols. The Angels went on to win 6–5 with a walk-off hit byGrant Green the same inning.[50] Mariners broadcasterDave Sims began calling "shoot that arrow in the sky!" when Rodney recorded a save.
On June 25, 2018, Rodney became a naturalized United States citizen. Rodney was living inPembroke Pines, Florida at the time.[51]
