then slowed further when he slipped in a bathtub on July 2 and sustained a hairline rib fracture below his right arm. In 1978, Rodriguez appeared in 131 games at third base, but only 86 as the starter, as he continued to share the third base position with Phil Mankowski. Despite the limited playing time, Rodriguez had the highest full-season batting average of his major league career at .265. He also led the major leagues with a .987 fielding percentage at third base, making only four errors during the entire season. Rodriguez played his final season for the Tigers in 1979. He appeared in 106 games, 97 as the team's starting third baseman, and hit .254 with five home runs and 36 RBIs. He no longer ranked among the league's leading third basemen in any defensive category. During the 1970s, Rodriguez had more hits (1,040) than any other Detroit player. He also ranked second in runs (417) and RBIs (423). In late October 1979, the Tigers acquired third baseman Richie Hebner. Rodriguez, never one to complain previously, could see the writing on the wall, criticized Hebner's defensive abilities, and said publicly that he felt he was being treated unfairly after nine years with the Tigers. On December 7, the same day Rodriguez's criticism was published, the Tigers traded him to the San Diego Padres in exchange for a player to be named later. 1980–1983 Rodriguez appeared in 89 games for the Padres in 1980, 57 as the team's starting third baseman. His batting average dropped precipitously to .200 in his first season in the National League. On August 4, 1980, with Graig Nettles out with hepatitis, the New York Yankees purchased Rodriguez from the Padres. Rodriguez appeared in 52 games for the 1980 Yankees, 43 as the starting third baseman. In 1981, Rodriguez remained with the Yankees as a backup to Nettles and started only 11 games. He compiled a .346 batting average in 52 at bats. In the 1981 World Series, he became a starter after Graig Nettles was injured in Game 2 and hit .417 (5-for-12). Rodriguez was traded twice in the off-season between the 1981 and 1982 seasons. He was first traded by the Yankees in November to the Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named later. He was then traded by Toronto in early April to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for outfielder