MIAMI -- The home run march that Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton is on has captured the attention of Major League Baseball, the sports world in general and at least one of the all-time great catchers.
Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, honored on Saturday at Marlins Park, called Stanton's sizzling home run stretch "unbelievable."
"That doesn't surprise me," Rodriguez said. "I know that his talent can get there. I'm very happy for him that he made that adjustment from the open side to be closed in the batter's box. That was a big adjustment for him."
Stanton entered Saturday night with a Major League-leading 49 home runs.
Rodriguez, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame's 2017 class, spent one season with the Marlins and made it a memorable one. The '03 squad won the organization's second World Series title.

Stanton, having a National League Most Valuable Player Award-caliber season, is trying to do something historical: reach 60 homers.
"The talent is there," Rodriguez said. "He's a great player. To me, he's a five-tool guy. There's a reason that he has that long-term contract, it's because of the talent that he has, and the power that he has. Every home run he hits, it's not just over the wall. You could count two home runs in one once he hits the ball. He's amazing to watch. I think he's good for baseball. To have a guy like that, approaching 50 home runs, also to know there is still another month and a half left in the season.
"I think he's going to be probably reaching the 60 home run mark. That's good for baseball."