Pudge's Pizza joins Texas Live! complex

ARLINGTON -- Hall of Fame catcher Ivan Rodriguez is the latest superstar to join the Texas Live! entertainment complex opening Aug. 9 across the street from Globe Life Park in Arlington.
Rodriguez is partnering with the Rangers and The Cordish Companies to open up Pudge's Pizza inside Texas Live! He joins former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman and chef Guy Fieri in putting their names on a venue in Texas Live!
"This was something we discussed a long time ago," Rodriguez said. "Yes, Pudge eats pizza, of course. I love pizza. When [the Rangers] came to me with the idea, I said, 'Why not?' With this beautiful project across the street going up and having me involved, it's going to be very nice.
"There are going to be a bunch of different flavors of pizza. It's not just my name. I'm going to be there. I'm going to spend time there with the people and the fans and say hello. I will be around. I can't wait to see it open in August."
Rodriguez said his favorite pizza is thin crust sausage and pepperoni, not too heavy on the tomato sauce. There is also a vegan baja style pizza for the health-conscious patrons.
"Pudge has meant so much to the Rangers organization as a player, as a Hall of Famer, as a broadcaster and in his role as a special assistant to our general manager," Rangers chief operating officer Neil Leibman said. "This restaurant will insure his legacy will continue within the Rangers and Texas."
Texas Live! is being developed by The Cordish Companies, the Baltimore-based firm that has been involved in the development of entertainment complexes across the country.
"From the outset of Texas Live! the vision was to create the number one sports destination not only in Texas but the entire country," said Taylor Gray, vice-president of The Cordish Companies. "Today marks a major milestone in reaching that vision. Being a partner of the Texas Rangers sets an incredibly high standard and excellence is the only option. It is only fitting that we partner with a Major League Hall of Famer and a Texas Rangers icon. Pudge's Pizza is only going to be the latest in a long list of world class venues of Texas Live!"
Texas Live! is the first step in the development. The Live by Loews! Hotel is set to open in 2019 and Globe Life Field in Arlington is on schedule for Opening Day 2020. Texas Live! features 200,000 square feet of local, regional and national dining and entertainment venues including Live! Arena, PBR Texas, Lockhart Smokehouse, Troy's, Pudge's Pizza, Sports & Social Arlington and a signature venue from Guy Fieri, as well as a 5,000-capacity outdoor event pavilion, Arlington Backyard.