Soto gets chance to work with boyhood idol Pudge

ARLINGTON -- Rangers special assistant Ivan Rodriguez is in town this week and spent time on Tuesday afternoon working with catcher Geovany Soto on his throwing.

"We just want to stay consistent in our throwing," Soto said. "I've been throwing OK, but it's something you want to stay on top of. Who was better throwing than Pudge?"

Maybe Johnny Bench?

"Not in my opinion," Soto said.

Rodriguez and Soto are both from Puerto Rico. Working with Rodriguez not only gives Soto a chance to work with a 13-time Gold Glove Award winner, but also his boyhood idol. Soto was 8 years old when Rodriguez made his debut with the Rangers in 1991.

"It's awesome to be around a guy you idolized and watched on television," Soto said. "You just hope one day to see him, meet him or stand next to him. In 2009, I played with him in the World Baseball Classic, and for the first time I got a chance to talk with him. It was fun, we would toss together and just talk about the game with a guy I idolized my whole life."