Deep into his two-decade-long career, there was still something Arthur Rhodes hadn't done by 2011. He hadn't played in a World Series.
That October, with the Cardinals, he took care of that and soon got the Rangers' Josh Hamilton to fly out, The Associated Press wrote.
"I took it in when the national anthem was going on," Rhodes told The AP after Game 1. "And once I went in the game, it started to hit me more."
He went on to see three appearances over the series as his Cardinals took the title. That season - at age 41 - marked the last of his long career. In all, he saw time in 20 big league campaigns and made an All-Star team along the way.
Rhodes' long career in baseball began in 1988, taken by the Orioles in the second round of the draft out of La Vega High School in Texas. He was also credited as Art Rhodes.
Rhodes started with the Orioles at rookie Bluefield. He moved to short-season Erie and single-A Frederick in 1989. He them made AA Hagerstown for half of 1990 and then in 1991.
In late-August 1991, he got the call directly to Baltimore. He saw eight starts, went 0-3 and had a 8.00 ERA.
He returned to Baltimore for 15 starts in 1992. He went 7-5, with a 3.63 ERA. He picked up his first big league win that July, giving up two runs over seven innings.
"I did the job down there (minors), and I figured I could do the same up here," Rhodes told Gannett News Service after the win.
He then did the work. He started 17 games in 1993, 10 in 1994, then turned reliever. He stayed with the Orioles through 1999. He saw 53 relief outings in 1997, picking up 10 wins and a 3.02 ERA.
Rhodes moved to the Mariners for 2000 and pitched even more. In four seasons with Seattle, he pitched in no fewer than 66 games in a season. He saw 72 in 2000, then 71 in 2001. He turned in a 1.72 ERA in that 2001 Mariners campaign.
In August 2001, he spoke to The AP about his approach, including his trademark intimidating scowl on the mound.
"Everybody says, 'Why are you always mad?'" Rhodes told The AP, which noted he was friendly otherwise. "Once I'm in a game, I want to look mean. I want the hitters to know I'm mean and ready to go."
Rhodes moved to the Athletics for 2004, the Indians for 2005 and Phillies for 2006. After missing 2007, Rhodes returned for 2008 with the Mariners and Marlins and Reds in 2009 and 2010. His 2010 campaign marked his only All-Star appearance, at age 40.
Rhodes then ended his career with 51 appearances in 2011, between the Rangers and the Cardinals, earning the championship with St. Louis to end his career.
- Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, July 10, 1992: Rhodes wins for Orioles
- Salem Statesman Journal, Aug. 26, 2001: Veteran enjoying good year
- Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Associated Press, Oct. 21, 2011: Patience pays off for Rhodes and Dotel in World Series
Made the Majors:1,361-33.1%-X
Never Made Majors:2,747-66.9%
5+ Seasons in the Majors:554-X
10+ Seasons in the Minors:336
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