Guilder Rodriguez' Long Awaited Moment

ESPN:

ARLINGTON, Texas -- This was a rare treat for a baseball team that's been on hard times for the bulk of the season.

Guilder Rodriguez, a career minor leaguer, got his second big league start on Monday night for the Texas Rangers and delivered for his dad by getting his first big league hit, RBI and run scored in a 4-3 win over the Houston Astros.

Rodriguez, 31, was excited about the opportunity to play because his father, Guillermo, hadn't seen him participate in a baseball game in the States since Low-A ball in 2004.

Yeah, 2004.

The biggest hit of the game came from Rodriguez who singled over the head of shortstop Jonathan Villar for his second hit of the game, breaking a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning.

"This is one of the best moments of my life," said Rodriguez, who ended an 0-for-6 spell. "My first big league hit, my first RBI, my father in the stands, my wife. This is my second-best moment, after my two daughters were born."

Rodriguez has played for just two organizations, Milwaukee and the Rangers. His home ballpark has been in minor league cities such as Helena, Beloit (where his dad saw him), Huntsville, Frisco, Oklahoma City and Round Rock. He's played in the Dominican Republic when the season was over, where his dad would travel from Venezuela to see him.

This is why I love sports. Rodriguez spent a total of thirteen years in the minor leagues and finally got his opportunity to shine. It was a long road to take but after playing in 1,095 games in the minors, Rodriguez got the exciting call up to play with the big dogs; the Texas Rangers. First hits for any prospect or upcoming players are special, but nothing compares to something like this. Thirteen years of playing in the minors must be quite frustrating and some players would even consider throwing in the towel, but not Rodriguez. With his family in the stands, he slapped a base hit to left field for his inaugural hit. That was not his only highlight of the night. Rodriguez also managed to drive in a run later on in the game to give the Rangers the lead. He finished up his emotional night going 2-3 from the plate with an RBI and a run scored. I wish the best for his future and let's hope that the Rangers hold on to him for a while (not in the minors).