KRod immortalized in Athletics Hall of Fame

The Philadelphia Athletics organization announced today that closer Francisco Rodriguez is the winner of the 2023 John Marzano Award, earning the 2006-10 reliever a place in the franchise Hall of Fame.

'KRod' was obtained from Saint Louis in a straight-up trade for second baseman Alfonso Soriano on May 19, 2006.

"Soriano was an important player for us back then," said GM Matt Veasey upon making the announcement. "He was our first truly big international free agent to come through our system and hit it big. Shared both the second base position and our team MVP award with Jeff Kent as a rookie with our 2002 championship club. But by 2006, we had Chase Utley coming. We felt that we were dealing from strength to shore up a weakness." 

Not only did Rodriguez "shore up" that bullpen weakness, he turned it into a strength, becoming the greatest relief pitcher in franchise history. His 190 career Saves with the club surpassed fellow A's Hall of Famer Billy Wagner (181) during KRod's final year with the team in 2010.

During the 2008 season, Rodriguez helped lead the A's to their second WFBL championship with a league-record 55 Saves. That year he was honored with his second Tug McGraw Award as the league's top relief pitcher, an honor he had first won two years earlier in 2006.

During the 2010 off-season and into 2011, much as happened this past off-season, the Athletics decided that it was time to rebuild before too much of a contending team would age-out. KRod was dealt to Las Vegas in that purge following the Majors Draft in March 2011.

Rodriguez last pitched in the WFBL back in 2017. Following a couple of unsuccessful comeback attempts over the next two years the right-hander finally retired during the summer of 2019.

"I am truly honored," said Rodriguez from his home in Venezuela. "I wasn't sure if anyone from Philadelphia remembered me or my contributions to those great teams we had back then. I look forward to seeing everyone at the ceremony this summer."

Rodriguez will be formally feted on July 13, prior to the A's 'short-week' game vs Detroit at Philadelphia Park at the Navy Yard.