Rodriguez's future with Rangers uncertain, his legacy isn't

(Arlington, Texas-AP) -- Texas Rangers players and fans are starting to ponder what life will be without Ivan Rodriguez in a Texas uniform. <br><br>The catching great known to fans as ``Pudge''

Monday, June 17th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Arlington, Texas-AP) -- Texas Rangers players and fans are starting to ponder what life will be without Ivan Rodriguez in a Texas uniform.

The catching great known to fans as ``Pudge'' has been in a Rangers uniform since he was called up from Tulsa at age 19. In the eleven years since, he's been an All-Star ten times and won ten Gold Gloves -- tying the record first set by Johnny Bench.

But he's in the last year of a five-year, 42 (M) million dollar contract, and he's expected to ask for a contract paying him 15 (M) million dollars a year. Rangers management isn't expected to go for that.

But Rodriguez's agent, Jeff Moorad, says the catcher's preference is to remain a Ranger, so he's not closing any doors at this point.