Rodriguez was considered "the prize of the deal", a third baseman with "quick reflexes, a fast glove and superb throwing arm." At Detroit's 1971 spring training, Rodriguez quickly earned a reputation for his smiling and happy disposition. Detroit public relations director Hal Middlesworth called him "the most pleasant guy I've ever seen. Always smiling and always laughing." The team's doctor in 1975 declared Rodriguez one of the most perfectly adjusted people he had ever met, adding, "He is a completely happy person." In his first season in Detroit, Rodriguez's batting average improved to .253 (the highest of his major league career to that time), and he led the Tigers in hits (153), doubles (30), and triples (seven). He also continued to hit for power with 15 home runs. However, he played most of the year with an injured elbow, and his defensive performance dropped off as he ranked second among the American League's third basemen with 23 errors. In the off-season between the 1971 and 1972 seasons, Rodriguez was married, played only 37 games in the Mexican Pacific Coast League, and reported healthy and fresh to spring training. During the 1972 season, Rodriguez's batting average dipped to .236, but he had perhaps his finest defensive season and helped lead the Tigers to the American League East championship. He reduced his error count to 16 and ranked first or second among the league's third basemen in virtually every defensive category: 153 games played (first); 150 putouts (first); 348 assists (first); 3.36 range factor per nine innings (first); 33 double plays turned (second); and 12 total zone runs (second). Brooks Robinson himself reportedly called Rodriguez his equal at third base, praise that he never paid to another player. Rodriguez modestly insisted that Robinson was the best. In 1973, Rodriguez continued to struggle at the plate, as his batting average fell to .222 with nine home runs. He did, however, lead the Tigers with 27 doubles and 58 RBIs. On defense, he led the league with 160 games at the third base and a .971 fielding percentage (technically .00002 behind with Don Money) and ranked among the league's premier players at the position with 135 putouts (second), 30 double plays turned (fourth), and 335 assists (fifth). Rodriguez began the 1974 season saying he was committed to forgetting about home runs and spraying the ball to right and center fields. He hit fewer home runs (five) than any prior full season in his career, but he nevertheless compiled an identical .222 batting average for the second consecutive year.