Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez was a 14-time All-Star, 13-time Gold Glove winner, and was named the AL MVP in 1999. He is widely regarded as one of the best defensive catchers of all time. On June 17, 2009, Rodríguez set an MLB record by catching his 2,227th game, passing Carlton Fisk. During his career, he had the best caught stealing percentage of any major league catcher, at 45.68%. On January 18, 2017, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown in his first year of eligibility.

This Rawlings official National Baseball Hall of Fame baseball was signed in blue by Rodriguez and inscribed, "HOF 17." This baseball includes a JSA sticker and COA.