Addendum: Year updated from catalog. Pudge wore this set prior 2003, as he then played for the Marlins.
There may be no nickname more suitable in baseball than "Pudge" for recent Hall of Fame inductee Ivan Rodriguez. The stout 5' 9" 205-lb. backstop from Puerto Rico was the pillar at his position for the better part of two decades, earning 13 Gold Gloves and 14 All-Star appearances between 1992 and 2007, including the American League MVP in 1999. Among catchers, Pudge ranks first all-time in hits (2,844), RBI (1,332), Doubles (572) and Total Bases (4,451), and has the 4th most home runs with 311, while hitting a shade below .300 for his career. But it was his defensive prowess and ability to throw guys out from his knees that really put him in the upper echelon of the greatest ever.
This offered set of catcher's gear was used by Rodriguez during the tail end of his prime years with the Texas Rangers, circa 2000-2002 based on similar style matches from photos. The Wilson (A3007 coded) mask with red padding and blue bars shows heavy use from the numerous foul tips and other punishment endured by Pudge during its time. The Wilson (A3200) red chest protector with blue trim has "PUDGE" sewn below the neck and includes a right shoulder guard Velcro-ed on to protect his golden right arm. A pair of blue Wilson leg guards with red padding and additional red "Knee Saver" cushions complete the ensemble, with each piece showing a ton of game use. Pudge has signed and inscribed his uniform "#7" and "Game Used" on all four pieces. What a fantastic set of game-used items from one of the greatest to ever call a game!
Smudged autograph on mask deemed inconclusive by PSA/DNA. Other signatures pre-certified by PSA/DNA.