In defense of respect: the world champion Marlins are eager to show disbelievers—and that means you—that last season was no fluke

Sporting News, The, March 8, 2004 by Kevin Baxter

"I'm sure they're going to try to do some promotional things around me," he says, "and I don't mind."

He's embracing his role in the clubhouse. He shook hands with everyone upon arrival. Manager Alan Trammell called Rodriguez a sponge because of his desire to learn the pitching staff.

When Rodriguez was considering Detroit, he looked at the American League Central and told Boras that the division could be his. Realistically, he won't lead the Tigers' young pitching staff to the World Series anytime soon. But he won't spend his Detroit era sitting around like his Bentley, either.

"This is my team," he says of the Tigers. "This is the team I want to see win--this one, right now."--Jason Beck, MLB.com