Kuzul

Buster Posey and Tim Lincecum are the big names in Giants territory. Newcomers Jose Guillen and Cody Ross are the new fan favorites.

However, the man right now red hot in San Francisco with his bat is Andres Torres.

Say who?

Even in his own Puerto Rico many baseball followers are starting to listen and know about Torres.

In the U.S. territory the biggest names are Carlos Beltran, Mike Lowell, Yadier Molina, Ivan Rodriguez, and lately newcomer Angel Pagan. Even rookie Florida Marlins Mike Stanton is well known due his publicized Puerto Rican heritage last June during the San Juan series between the Marlins and the New York Mets.

However, Torres?

It is time to know him because probably he should be contemplated by the national sports writers to be the National League Comeback Player of the Year.

Torres, 32, before this 2010 season was a true journeyman.

He made his major league debut back in 2002 with the Detroit Tigers where he only played 81 games in three seasons.

In 2005 Torres signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers where he only played eight games in their major league uniform.

Thereafter, until 2009 he spent a lot of time in the minors with the Tigers, Minnesota Twins and the Chicago Cubs.

However, his luck finally changed when he signed last year as a free agent with the Giants.

Moreover, he is validating right now that he deserves to be in the bigs. Equable a good candidate for National League Player of the Month of August.

Torres is hitting .310 with 14 doubles, one triple, fve home runs, 25 RBI, and six stolen bases over his last 35 games.

To be more accurate on his hotness, he has gone 9-for-24 with one home run and 10 RBI over the last six games.

Last Sunday, Torres set a new record at San Francisco AT&T Park with 25 doubles in a season in a game against the Arizona D’Backs. By the way, that two-bagger was his 42nd this season, which tied him as doubles leader in the National League with Phillies’ Jayson Werth.

Torres if he continues his doubles pace he could record 51 this season and could set a new team record for a single campaign. Jeff Kent currently holds the franchise mark with 49 doubles in 2001.

Maybe he will not win a Silver Slugger award at the end of the season but watch out he could be a winner of a Golden Glove.

Torres is errorless this season in 119 games and his seven outfield assists are tied for seventh most in the National League. In fact, Torres has committed just two errors in his entire major league career.

Torres is errorless since 2003 and in his last 197 games in the majors.

Perhaps finally his time has arrived to be known.

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In Miami the talk of the town continues to be its Heat’s “Big Three.”

If anyone had been in another planet of late, we are talking about the trio of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

Of course, this is if you are a sports fan, as many people think of Miami as the place taken by the Kardashian trio sisters. It is summer time, and that means it is time to see such beauties as Kim in South Beach.

So lost in the thoughts of sunshine and basketball are the Florida Marlins.

As of now, not many people in town care about its team. The reason is a simple one: At the moment, it looks as if the franchise is looking toward the 2011 season and giving up its pursuit of the National League East crown or a wild card berth.

Most of South Florida chatter right now concerning October is all about the aforementioned Heat and its opening night in Miami against the Orlando Magic (October 29), or where the Miami Dolphins and the University of Miami Hurricanes will be in the standings around that time.

That is sad, because if Miami was a real baseball town the talk would have Dan Uggla as the man of the moment.

The should have been All-Star continued his recent home run binge, hitting his eighth in the past 10 games off Philadelphia’ Roy Halladay. It was Uggla’s 24th homer of the season.

As part of his homer spree, he became the Marlins franchise home run king, passing former Marlin Mike Lowell (143) July 31 against the San Diego Padres.

That is kind of unbelievable considering sluggers such as Gary Sheffield, Derrek Lee and Miguel Cabrera were once Marlins.

In the process, Uggla has established himself as a threat to Jeff Kent’s mark of nine consecutive 20-homer seasons from 1997-2005, the present major league record for a second baseman. But besides Uggla there are other second baseman making its own run.

Uggla already extended his streak to five years, while Philadelphia’ Chase Utley, currently on the disabled list, can run his streak to six with nine more dingers this year. Cincinnati’s Brandon Phillips needs six home runs to extend his 20-homer streak to four.

Last season Uggla became the only second basemen in history to hit 20-or-more home runs in its first four career campaigns. The other one was Hall of Famer Joe Gordon, who did it in four straight seasons from 1938-41.

Uggla, 30, also became the fastest second baseman ever to reach 100 homers.

At the moment, Uggla leads all second baseman with 145 homers since 2006. He also ranks 13th all-time in home runs by a second baseman.

And despite all that production, Uggla is going under the radar. And that is regrettable. Even if the Marlins’ playoff hopes are gone, this is a player right now to watch.

The Marlins brass has been on the record stating that they are listening to offers from other clubs, and they have not been clear if Uggla could be on the market. Everyone knows the Marlins are sellers at the moment.

However, lately it has been said that they are internally discussing the possibility of signing their Uggla to a long-term contract.

It is true that the Marlins are Hanley Ramirez’s team, just like the Heat is Dwayne Wade’s team. But Uggla could be the LeBron James to Ramirez’s Wade.

Most people forget that when Ramirez was selected in 2006 the National League Rookie of the Year, it was Uggla who won the same accolade  from The Sporting News and the players association.

It is understandable it is not the most easiest last name to remember. But no matter how everyone pronounces it Uggla is the man right now.

And right now that means that the Marlins need to retain him in their lineup when they do open their new stadium in 2012.

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Ozzie Guillen next rant should be against the National Football League.

The Chicago White Sox fiery manager should speak not only for Latinos but in defense of all baseball. A sort of spokesman for MLB.

For first time in history the NFL is about to rank its 100 best players.

The NFL, through their broadcasting arm NFL Films, will feature a 10-show series The Top 100: The NFL’s Greatest Players, debuting September 3 on its own NFL Network.

It sounds incredible that nowadays that rankings are common in every sport, football is so behind.

Guillen can be the mouthpiece of MLB.

He can tell them that baseball has done previous rankings such as in 1999 the Major League Baseball All-Century Team or The Major League Baseball Latino Legends Team selected in 2005 to honor the history of Latin American players in the majors.

By the way, the night the Latino Legends Team was announced prior at a ceremony to Game Four of the 2005 World Series later that night Guillén became the first Latin-born manager to win a World Series.

Instead of so much spout and rave, Guillen should be kind of instructor or coach for all those fans he says still does not know much about Latinos in Major League Baseball.

No more excuses there is still racism in baseball.

It is hard to believe that people still these days do not know about such modern day stars such as Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Ubaldo Jimenez, Mariano Rivera, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez and many, many others.

This should be an easier task to Guillen than try to explain why New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez is consider the top Latino player in the NFL.

To put my two cents in I will give Guillen my list of the Top 100: MLB’s Top Latino Players in history.

I bet he will have its own opinion but this should be a start. Let an Asian spokesman speak for Ichiro, Hideki Matsui and many others.

Ozzie could still be Ozzie and do good for all baseball.

By the way, my Top 100: MLB’s Top Latino Players.

PITCHERS
Wilson Alvarez (Venezuela)
Joaquin Andujar (Dominican Republic)
Armando Benitez (Dominican Republic)
Pedro Borbon (Dominican Republic)
John Candelaria (Puerto Rico)
Bartolo Colon (Dominican Republic)
Mike Cuellar (Cuba)
Freddy Garcia (Venezuela)
Guillermo Hernandez (Puerto Rico)
Livan Hernandez (Cuba)
Orlando Hernandez (Cuba)
Roberto Hernandez (Puerto Rico)
Ubaldo Jimenez (Dominican Republic)
Adolfo Luque (Cuba)
Juan Marichal (Dominican Republic)
Dennis Martinez (Nicaragua)
Pedro Martinez (Dominican Republic)
Ramon Martinez (Dominican Republic)
Jose Mesa (Dominican Republic)
Camilo Pascual (Cuba)
Juan Pizarro (Puerto Rico)
Jose Rijo (Dominican Republic)
Mariano Rivera (Panama)
Francisco Rodriguez (Venezuela)
Mario Soto (Dominican Republic)
Johan Santana (Venezuela)
Luis Tiant (Cuba)
Ugueth Urbina (Dominican Republic)
Fernando Valenzuela (Mexico)
Carlos Zambrano (Venezuela)
CATCHERS
Sandy Alomar Jr. (Puerto Rico)
Javier Lopez (Puerto Rico)
Yadier Molina (Puerto Rico)
Tony Peña (Dominican Republic)
Jorge Posada (Puerto Rico)
Ivan Rodriguez (Puerto Rico)
Benito Santiago (Puerto Rico)
FIRST BASEMAN
Miguel Cabrera (Venezuela)
Rod Carew (Panama)
Rico Carty (Dominican Republic)
Orlando Cepeda (Puerto Rico)
Carlos Delgado (Puerto Rico)
Andres Galarraga (Venezuela)
Rafael Palmeiro (Cuba)
Victor Pellot Power (Puerto Rico)
Tony Perez (Cuba)
Albert Pujols (Dominican Republic)
SECOND BASEMAN
Roberto Alomar (Puerto Rico)
Beto Avila (Mexico)
Carlos Baerga (Puerto Rico)
Luis Castillo (Dominican Republic)
Julio Franco (Dominican Republic)
Cookie Rojas (Cuba)
Tony Taylor   (Cuba)
Manny Trillo (Venezuela)
THIRD BASEMAN
Bobby Bonilla (Puerto Rico)
Vinny Castilla (Mexico)
Mike Lowell (Puerto Rico)
Alex Rodriguez (Dominican Republic)
SHORTSTOP
Luis Aparicio (Venezuela)
Bert Campaneris (Cuba)
David Concepcion (Venezuela)
Tony Fernandez (Dominican Republic)
Ozzie Guillen (Venezuela)
Edgar Renteria (Colombia)
Hanley Ramirez (Dominican Republic)
Jose Reyes (Dominican Republic)
Miguel Tejada (Dominican Republic)
Zoilo Versalles (Cuba)
Omar Vizquel (Venezuela)
OUTFIELD
Bobby Abreu (Venezuela)
Felipe Alou (Dominican Republic)
Mateo Alou (Dominican Republic)
Moises Alou (Dominican Republic)
Tony Armas (Venezuela)
George Bell (Dominican Republic)
Carlos Beltran (Puerto Rico)
Jose Canseco (Cuba)
Jose Cardenal (Cuba)
Leo Cardenas (Cuba)
Cesar Cedeño (Dominican Republic)
Roberto Clemente (Puerto Rico)
Jose Cruz, Sr. (Puerto Rico)
Juan Gonzalez (Puerto Rico)
Pedro Guerrero (Dominican Republic)
Vladimir Guerrero (Dominican Republic)
Minnie Miñoso (Cuba)
Raul Mondesi (Dominican Republic)
Omar Moreno (Panama)
Manny Mota (Dominican Republic)
Ben Oglivie (Panama)
Tony Oliva (Cuba)
Magglio Ordoñez (Venezuela)
Manny Ramirez (Dominican Republic)
Ruben Sierra (Puerto Rico)
Alfonso Soriano (Dominican Republic)
Sammy Sosa (Dominican Republic)
Bernie Williams (Puerto Rico)
DESIGNATED HITTER
Edgar Martinez (Puerto Rico)
David Ortiz (Dominican Republic)

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Most of the time when we read about Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez it is about some sort of new record or history in the making.

Last Monday, Rodriguez, 38, wrote another page to his illustrious career as he became the fifth catcher to reach 300 home runs in Major League history with a homer against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Rodriguez, who has hit .268 as the Washington Nationals’ primary catcher this season, is already the career leader in games, runs, hits, doubles, and extra-base hits by a catcher in the majors history.

No doubt the Puerto Rican native will someday be in the Hall of Fame, however, this season among Islanders, it is looking that Rodriguez is not the only one with good news to their fans.

Angel Pagan, 29, is a long way in comparison with Rodriguez or even fellow teammate Carlos Beltran, however, in this so far lowly Mets season he is doing an MVP job.

Pagan had played as a Gold Glover and offensively his bat had been hot all season long.

As of Tuesday, Pagan is the Mets’ leader and seventh in the National League in hitting with a .311 batting average.

He is also hitting 21 doubles, nine home runs with 58 runs scored, and 47 RBI.

Not bad for the five-year career major leaguer who was supposed to be a utility outfielder on a Jerry Manuel bench.

He became like a godsend for the Mets in center field with Carlos Beltran out.

Pagan is playing so well that some national columnists have suggested that Pagan could become one of the new faces of the future of the team.

Jon Heyman from Sports Illustrated even suggested in his latest column that Beltran could be traded before the August 31 waiver deadline.

In his column, Heyman wrote about Beltran as a great talent who is just back from his knee injury and has not yet showed his old form. He has a full no-trade clause but might be amenable to a deal after his winter disagreement with the team over the knee surgery that kept him out half the year. One more year left in the $119 million, seven-year deal he signed before the 2005 season.

During the San Juan (Puerto Rico) series between the Mets and the Florida Marlins where everybody was waiting to hear about Beltran, it was Manuel who had to shift the attention to his young outfielder, calling Pagan as one of the best stories of the 2010 season.

The Mets called the Commonwealth Island the “Bori-Mets” due to its number of Puerto Ricans in the lineup. Among them, Pagan, Beltran, Alex Cora, Jesus Feliciano, and Pedro Feliciano are all not doing so well as a whole.

Besides Pagan, the only other Puerto Rican offensive player doing well in the majors these days is Alexis Rios.

The White Sox center fielder is hitting .303 with 21 doubles, 17 homers, 63 runs scored, and 62 RBI.

If Pagan could become a perennial All-Star and a possible replacement of Beltran, time will tell if he has really been a shining Met.

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No matter that the Florida Marlins have won eight out of their last 10 games, it looks like they are sellers.

No east division pennant or National League wild-card dreams.

The first Marlin gone before Saturday non-waiver trade deadline could be third baseman Jorge Cantu.

According to various published reports, the Dallas Morning News and the Arlington Star-Telegram, the Texas Rangers have had advanced talks with the Florida Marlins about trading minor league pitching for Cantu.

General Manager Jon Daniels had declined to comment on specific trade possibilities, but he had also said on the record that they would like to add a right-handed hitter capable of playing first base in relief of Chris Davis.

Cantu is the Marlins’ starting third baseman but he has played first base throughout his career. This season he had started 40 times as a first baseman.

The seven-season McAllen, Texas native also can serve as a designated hitter. This season he started as a DH in the Marlins lineup nine times during inter-league games.

He is hitting .260 with 10 homers and 54 RBIs.

According to published resources, the Rangers like Cantu but are not committed yet, as they are looking to other players.

The Rangers also have interest, among other few possibilities, in Cantu’s Marlins teammate Wes Helms.

The Rangers have also scouted former Marlin and current Red Sox Mike Lowell, for whom the team agreed to make a trade last December before Lowell failed a physical.

The Rangers were prepared to send catcher Max Ramirez and $3 million to Boston for the 35-year-old four-time All-Star, however a torn radial collateral ligament in his right thumb derailed the trade.

Lowell is currently on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Pawtucket.

In Tampa Bay, word has spread that the Detroit Tigers could possibly be interested in Lowell as a replacement for injured Carlos Guillen.

On the other hand, the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies are said to be bidding for Cantu’s services.

Rumours fly. What are the Marlins, sellers or buyers? Everyone will know in the near future.

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These days in Montreal, baseball fans have a reason to cheer for the very first time since the Expos left town to Washington D.C. to become the Nationals.

One of the greats in Expos history will be inducted finally into Cooperstown’s Hall of Fame. That is Andre “The Hawk” Dawson.

Next summer, another great city in Canada will probably have its turn at bat to celebrate. 

If the dream comes true this same time around next year in Toronto, it should be time to party to celebrate Roberto Alomar’s big moment.

That fantasy could be reality next December when members of the Baseball Writers Association of America will receive the ballots that list candidates eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

With all the historical and stat records furnished to them, and with their own perception of greatness to back up their judgement, there should be great hope also in his native Puerto Rico that the writers will finally consider his election.

His career records should have assured him of gaining the acceptance and earning his plaques in Cooperstown in his first year of eligibility.

However, for reasons with no real explanation he was snubbed by many baseball writers.

Roberto Alomar was one of the biggest stars and arguably the best second baseman in the history of the game.

He was a 12-time All-Star, 11 consecutive seasons from 1991-2001, in 17 major league seasons.

He won 10 Gold Gloves, the most by a second baseman ever. In his prime, he was doing everything right at second base as Ozzie Smith did at shortstop or Brooks Robinson at third base.

Going strictly by his offense, his numbers are Hall-of-Fame-worthy too.

He finished his career with a .300 batting average and among Hall of Fame comparisons he had more career hits and RBI than two other Hall of Fame second basemen—Joe Morgan and Ryne Sandberg.

Not enough?

In Alomar’s case, the most basic statistics should serve. Among all second basemen, Alomar ranks sixth in hits, seventh in runs scored, 10th in RBI. and fourth in steals.

When he called it quits, he was just 276 hits shy of 3,000 hits.

Among his hardware, let’s not forget he was an American League Championship Series MVP (1992), All-Star Game MVP (1998), two-time World Series member (1992, 1993), and a four-time Silver Slugger Award.

He was a three-time Toronto Blue Jays Player of the Year. 

The Blue Jays franchise inducted him into their Blue Jays Level of Excellence group, and Alomar was a two-time Cleveland Indians Player of the Year.

Hope next December the baseball writers get it right.

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The second half of the Major League Baseball season began Thursday night, and many in Puerto Rico are with a lot of good expectations.

Just as a start, everybody is happy that Carlos Beltran returned with the New York Mets, and Joel Piñeiro won his seventh straight decision as the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Seattle Mariners.

However, not every baseball fan is cheery and festive these days.

Carlos Delgado announced Thursday that he will not be able to participate with the Puerto Rican national baseball team in the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayaguez because of a recommendation from his doctor.

Delgado, who had shown interest in playing for the national team at Mayagüez 2010, is still recovering from surgery on his right hip.

Delgado, the all-time leader among Puerto Rican players in the majors with 473 home runs and 1,512 runs batted in, was on the national team’s provisional roster for several weeks but said his final decision would depend on his physical condition.

It is true that the two-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner had not played in a Major League game since May 10, 2009, but he lost a golden opportunity.

The games would have been his showcase to show that he is still functional and still could play at a competitive level.

Absolutely, the 37-year-old first baseman would have to be careful; nevertheless Team Puerto Rico would have benefited from his presence.

Let not forget Delgado, even though elbow tendinitis limited him to just one plate appearance in the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic.

Delgado not only spun doubts on his possible return to the majors, but also put a sour spin on what could have been a boon for Puerto Rican national pride.

Team Puerto Rico is the favorite team to win the gold medal in his own backyard in this  regional games.

Team Puerto Rico last won gold was in the El Salvador Games in 2002, which was its last medal in the Central American and Caribbean gams, only their second gold in the history of these games. The first one was way back in 1959 in Venezuela.

Furthermore, last time the games were celebrated in the U.S. Commonwealth Island, Ponce 93’, Team Puerto Rico was shorthanded with a bronze medal.

Manager Eduardo Perez, former Major Leaguer and son of Hall of Famer Tony Perez, found a replacement for Delgado in the lineup with power hitter Joyset Feliciano, one of the top hitters in island Double-A baseball (a semi-pro league with good local talent).

True, any player in given time is replaceable. However, Delgado is considered one of Puerto Rico’s top sports heroes and should have shown his country passion as in past World Baseball Classic, and show he was ready to play ball again.

It was his moment to demonstrate to any team that no matter how he had been more than a year away he could be back to the Major Leagues.

It could possibly have shown as it has been a rumor for a long time regarding his return to his beloved New York Mets.

Fellow Puerto Rican Carlos Beltran is back.

Is the other Carlos ready?

Time will tell.

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Major League Baseball will be celebrating its 81st annual All-Star Game on July 13th in Angel Stadium of Anaheim between players of the American League and the National League.

Since 1935 the “Midsummer Classic” marks the symbolic halfway point of the season and is probably one of the most anticipated all-star games by any followers of the world of sports.

In 2001, at a Major League Baseball journalist’s forum during the All-Star Game in Seattle, it was proposed changing the format of the All-Star Game to a game similar to the current All-Star Futures Game. 

A game between the United States’ top players and the best of the world.

There’s no doubt baseball is still the American pastime, but it has become one full of international flavor.

Today, Latinos make up more than 25 percent of Major League players. Also, more Japanese players are part of Major League rosters every year.

It is really great that baseball fans can enjoy the World Baseball Classic every four years, but why not change it in some sort of way to once a year?

Major League Baseball is always looking for change and this will be a great moment as the National Hockey League (NHL) did it for a while. 

From 1998 to 2003, the NHL changed the format to one with a team of North American All-Stars taking on a team of players who were not from North America, known as the World All-Stars.

It is true that the NHL reverted back to its classic East vs. West format. In baseball, if it does not work, it can go back to its traditional American League vs. National League All-Stars.

As fantasy games are so popular now, I made a roster with the best 34 players as in the traditional All-Star Game.

I took into account the best current players of Latin America, Canada, and Japan.

Why not dream a little. Maybe someday Bud Selig and Major League Baseball will consider this idea.

My 2010 “World Team” roster:
Manager: Ozzie Guillen (Chicago White Sox)
Coaches: Manny Acta (Cleveland Indians), Edwin Rodriguez (Florida Marlins), Juan Samuel (Baltimore Orioles)

Pitchers
Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado Rockies
Fausto Carmona, Cleveland Indians
Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers
Carlos Silva, Chicago Cubs
Jaime Garcia, St. Louis Cardinals
Livan Hernandez, Washington Nationals
Carlos Marmol.  Chicago Cubs
Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati Reds
Neftali Feliz, Texas Rangers
Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals
Rafael Soriano, Tampa Bay Rays
Jose Valverde, Detroit Tigers 

Catchers
Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
Victor Martinez, Boston Red Sox
Miguel Olivo, Colorado Rockies 

Infielders
1B Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
1B Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
1B Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego Padres
1B David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
2B Robinson Cano, New York Yankees
2B Martin Prado, Atlanta Braves
SS Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
SS Jose Reyes, New York Mets
SS Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers
3B Adrian Beltre, Boston Red Sox
3B Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays 

Outfield
Jason Bay, New York Mets
Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners
Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies
Vladimir Guerrero, Texas Rangers
Magglio Ordonez, Detroit Tigers
Alexis Rios, Chicago White Sox
David de Jesus, Kansas City Royals 

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No more interim label. No more sentimental stories about becoming the first Puerto Rican to manage in the Major Leagues.

From now on, Edwin Rodriguez is the man.

No doubt, Florida Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria hit the equivalent of a home run.

Loria named Rodriguez his manager for the remainder of the season in his own backyard in Puerto Rico during the San Juan Series 2010 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in the three-game series against the New York Mets.

Rodriguez was named interim manager last June 23 when Florida fired Fredi Gonzalez, its all-time “winning-est” skipper. Gonzalez was dismissed after going 276-279 in 3½ seasons.

However, Loria is giving Rodriguez the responsibility of making his dreams come true.

Since spring training, Loria has said that he entered this season with expectations for the Marlins to be a playoff contender and nothing less.

Loria surely hopes that Rodriguez will pull out some kind of sorcery like Jack McKeon did back in 2003.

In 2003, Loria had the same expectations from his team: a post-season appearance.

After a 16-22 start, manager Jeff Torborg was fired and veteran McKeon was hired to replace him. He led the team to the 2003 World Series victory against the New York Yankees.

It all sounds like a magic trick. However, Loria is well known and will not accept excuses.

Seven years ago the Marlins were in fourth place and 11 games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves in National League East. As of June 29 this season, the situation looks similar. The Marlins have a 36-40 record and are in fourth place, eight and one half games behind Atlanta.

Rodriguez knows that this is his big chance.

Only in October we will know if his adventure turns into a fortuitous reality. Who knows? He could be the second Latin American Manager to win a World Series.

Rodriguez should ask for advice from Ozzie Guillen. In 2003, Guillen was the third base coach for the championship Marlins team, and later on, the man of the moment lifted from the bench his 2005 Chicago White Sox World Championship.

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Ivan Rodriguez is once again looking to make history in Major League Baseball.

If he is given the opportunity by Nationals skipper Jim Riggleman, the man best known as “Pudge” will be setting another mark in his great career tonight.

Tonight, at Nationals Park in the interleague game against the Kansas City Royals, the 38-year-old catcher will set the record for most games ever played by a Puerto Rican player in the majors.

Yesterday, the 13-time Gold Glover equaled Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente’s record of games played by a native Puerto Rican at 2,433.

For Rodriguez, it is another mark on his way to overcoming those established by the legendary Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Pirate.

These days, Rodriguez is well known to be in pursuit of a major milestone that “The Great One” set many years ago: Clemente’s record of 3,000 hits.

At present, Rodriguez is the second-best Puerto Rican ever with 2,761 hits.

Nobody should forget that last year Rodriguez broke the major league record for games caught by a catcher, surpassing Carlton Fisk’s 2,226 games behind the plate.

For the curious, here is the list of the 10 Latin American players with most games played in the history of Major League Baseball:

• Rafael Palmeiro: 2,831
• Tony Perez: 2,777
• Omar Vizquel: 2,772
• Luis Aparicio: 2,599
• Julio Franco: 2,527
• David Concepcion: 2,488
• Rod Carew: 2,469
• Iván Rodríguez: 2,433
• Roberto Clemente: 2,433
• Roberto Alomar: 2,379

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