Watch Ivan Rodriguez and his family react to the news that he was elected to the Hall of Fame

A Hall of Fame career takes a lifetime of devotion to the sport of baseball. From the earliest days of playing catch to grueling workouts with no end in sight, it is only the players with the greatest combination of talent, luck and willpower that even reach the Majors -- much less become the greatest of all time. After managing to check all of those boxes off and putting together a career among the very best, how could one possibly react when told that they've gained admission to the Hall of Fame as one of baseball's immortals?

Thanks to Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, whose golden glove and rocket arm terrified basestealers and whose bat threatened opposing pitchers, we know. Just watch as Rodriguez receives the call that tells him he's earned a plaque in Cooperstown.

I have no words, best call ever! A dream that came true today! So thankful! Thank you thank you God bless you all #Pudge7HOF pic.twitter.com/Od0bNONZjv — Ivan Pudge Rodriguez (@Pudge_Rodriguez) January 18, 2017

That's 45 years of life devoted to the game being paid back in one phone call. Listening to his family react shows that this has been a journey for them, just as much as it was for Pudge.

His son, a pitcher in the Twins organization, certainly is happy for his old man: