Wayne Nordhagen. While initially expecting to be a backup in Chicago, the Sox traded Jim Morrison to Oakland in mid-June, and Rodriguez became the team's regular third baseman. Rodriguez appeared in 118 games for the White Sox in 1982, including 87 starts at third base. While batting only .241, Rodriguez put in a solid year defensively, finishing third among the league's third basemen with a .969 fielding percentage and a 3.38 range factor per nine innings at third base. In February 1983, Rodriguez signed with the Baltimore Orioles as a free agent. He appeared in 45 games for the Orioles but only 18 as the starting third baseman. His batting average dropped precipitously to .119 in 67 at bats with Baltimore. He was released by Orioles in August. Three weeks after being released by Baltimore, Rodriguez signed for a second run with the White Sox. He started only six games for Chicago in 1983 and compiled a .200 batting average in 20 at bats. He played in his final major league game on October 1, 1983 at age 35. In the spring of 1984, Rodriguez's efforts to return to the White Sox, or to sign with another major league club, were unsuccessful. Career statistics and legacy In 17 major league seasons, Rodríguez was a .237 hitter with 124 home runs and 648 RBIs in 2,017 games. It was on defense that he left his mark. His career range factor of 3.215 per nine innings at third base ranks second in major league history, trailing only Darrell Evans. And his career tally 4,150 assists at third base ranked fifth in major league history at the time of his retirement. Rodriguez is best remembered for his powerful throwing arm. Praise for his ability includes: Sparky Anderson was Rodriguez's manager in 1979, his last year in Detroit. "He probably had as good a pair of hands on him as anybody, and a great arm -- the only two arms I've ever seen like that, Travis Fryman and him. This guy was a great third baseman", Anderson said. WJR broadcaster Paul Carey, who during Aurelio's tenure with the Tigers was the radio partner of Hall of Famer Ernie Harwell, used to refer to Rodriguez' arm as a howitzer. In an appearance on the YES Network by several great third basemen, George Brett once commented on Rodríguez's arm, saying to all (but particularly to the