"Pudge Rodriguez forever will be revered by Tigers fans, many of whom still credit him with helping turn around a bumbling, 119-loss team in 2003 to a World Series participant in 2006, his third season in Detroit.

Rodriguez will be considered one of the best free-agent acquisitions in Tigers history, coming to the Motor City at a time when Detroit wasn't exactly on the top of the free-agent destination list.

He was traded to the Yankees from the Tigers in the middle of last season, and though he faced his old team as a Yankee last year, Rodriguez still takes pleasure in seeing all his old Tigers teammates -- as the new Astros catcher did Friday night.

He was sharing hugs and joking around with Placido Polanco, Marcus Thames and Ramon Santiago during batting practice before the game in Houston.

"It's always nice to see all the guys. I got to see (Tigers manager) Jim (Leyland) and all the guys and it's going to be fun," Rodriguez said about the Tigers' weekend series in Houston.

"But we still have to do our jobs, though. I play for the Astros now, so I just have to play my game and try to win the game."

Rodriguez played in Detroit for a relatively short period of time, considering his longevity, but he's still a fan favorite.

He received an enormous ovation when he came back with the Yankees last season. Leyland described Rodriguez, 37, as a hard-working, no-nonsense type of guy -- a guy Detroiters love.

"He's a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer," Leyland said. "