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Next up: Pudge

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Updated Jun 29, 2009 10:30 AM ET
     
 
DETROIT -- Jim Leyland is looking forward to reconnecting with an old friend. Leyland and the Tigers travel to Houston to start a three-game series tonight, and Leyland said he will be happy to see former Tigers catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez. Leyland remembers Rodriguez's time in Detroit fondly and said he respects how hard his former catcher worked to stay on top of his game. "He'd be working out at 9 o'clock in the morning after playing all night," Leyland said. "He was unbelievable. I've never seen anybody work harder than this guy. "This guy's a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer -- there's no question about it." Rodriguez is hitting .254 with six home runs and 29 RBIs for the Astros. He recently set the major league record for games caught when he caught his 2,227th game, breaking the mark held by Carlton Fisk. Leyland said he did not call Rodriguez to congratulate him on the record because he was waiting to do it in person. But Rodriguez called Leyland this week, and the two exchanged phone messages. "I like him," Leyland said. "He played hard, he played hurt and he came to beat the other team. "Some people felt like he was selfish, and I can tell you right now, I wouldn't give you a nickel for any player that wasn't a little bit selfish. I have the utmost respect for him." Ordonez's curls up for grabs After Magglio Ordonez had his first haircut in five years earlier this week, he said he would put his hair up for auction on eBay and donate the proceeds to a children's charity. He made good on his promise. Ordonez's hair, along with a skybox for the Sept. 15 game at Comerica Park and an autographed bat, is available on eBay. The minimum bid was set at $5,000. Anderson struggles Leyland planned to have some fun with Josh Anderson, who ran himself off the bases Tuesday and Wednesday with plays that Leyland called "dumb." "He's my kind of guy, but he gets so hyped up," Leyland said. "I'm going to tell him, 'You'd be a hell of a running back, because you just keep running. They'd never tackle you.' " Anderson pinch-ran Thursday and stole second, then paused and took off his helmet before seeing that the throw from the catcher had rolled into the outfield. He quickly scampered to third. Guillen's situation brightens Leyland said the latest report on Carlos Guillen is positive. "He's doing very well," Leyland said. "No pain. I'm pinching myself, but it looks like things are looking up." Guillen was placed on the disabled list on May 5 with an injured shoulder.
Tagged: Magglio Ordonez, Astros, Carlos Guillen, Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers

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