The best 24 players in Texas Rangers history

Puerto Rican-born backstop Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez is on the brief listing of best catchers within the historical past of the sport, and the overwhelming majority of his illustrious profession was spent in Texas. Rodriguez debuted for the Rangers halfway by way of the ’91 marketing campaign and virtually immediately grew to become a star. Within the simply over 1,500 video games he ended up enjoying with Texas, he slashed an exceptional .304/.341/.488 with 217 homers, 842 RBI, 352 doubles, 28 triples, and 81 stolen bases. Rodriguez was named to the American League all-star staff ten instances, received ten Gold Glove awards, took residence six Silver Sluggers, and most impressively, was named the MVP of the AL in 1999. Rodriguez’s potential to be a difference-maker on either side of the ball was virtually unparalleled for somebody enjoying his place, which helped him simply discover his manner into the Corridor of Fame in 2017. Texas retired his quantity 7 the identical yr.  

First baseman Rafael Palmeiro performed two separate five-year stints in Arlington, and each instances offered the Rangers with the most effective left-handed run producers within the recreation, Within the 10 complete seasons Palmeiro spent in Texas he slashed a terrific .290/.378/.519 with 321 residence runs, 1,039 RBI, and 321 doubles. He wore a Rangers hat in a pair of all-star video games, received a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger, and impressively drove in over 100 runs for the Rangers six instances. Palmeiro’s identify acquired stained by his attachment to steroids and his botched look in a congressional listening to in regards to the challenge, however let’s not dismiss simply how gifted he was between the white traces. 

Adrian Beltre spent the ultimate eight of his 21 Main League seasons patrolling the new nook in Texas, and was an emphatic fan favourite throughout his complete Rangers tenure. In 1,098 video games with the staff he slashed .304/.357/.509 with 199 homers, 699 RBI, 239 doubles, and 10 triples. Beltre made three all-star groups whereas with Texas, led the league with 199 hits in 2013, and received three Gold Glove awards in addition to three Silver Sluggers. He by no means received the award however completed within the prime 10 within the AL MVP voting 5 instances as a Ranger, and drove in over 100 runs for the staff thrice. Texas retired his quantity 29 in 2019. 

Third baseman Buddy Bell performed extra video games with the Cleveland Indians than he did with the Rangers, however with out query, his finest years got here in Texas. In components of eight seasons with the Rangers, Bell slashed .293/.351/.431 with 305 extra-base hits and 499 RBI. 4 of his profession 5 all-star appearances got here in a Texas uniform, as did all six of his Gold Glove awards and his lone Silver Slugger. He reached double digits in homers with the Rangers six instances, and drove in over 80 runs for the staff on three completely different events. After his enjoying profession Bell would go on to turn out to be a supervisor for the Tigers, Rockies, and Royals. 

For near a decade Ian Kinsler offered the Rangers with one of the productive and dependable second basemen within the American League. The Tucson, AZ native suited up for Texas 1,066 instances and slashed a robust .273/.349/.454. He crushed 156 homers for the Rangers, drove in 539 runs, doubled 249 instances and even swiped 172 bases. Kinsler wore a Texas hat in three Midsummer Classics, and together with Elvis Andrus gave this staff a flashy double-play mixture for a very long time. In November of 2013 Kinsler was traded to Detroit in a deal that introduced the Rangers slugging first baseman Prince Fielder. 

Catcher Jim Sundberg performed for the Rangers for a dozen seasons, and apart from Pudge Rodriguez, he is probably the most distinguished backstop the group has ever employed. In 1,512 video games with the group, Sundberg slashed .252/.330/.345 with 287 extra-base hits, 480 RBI, and even 18 stolen bases. He was chosen to take part in a pair of all-star video games, received six straight Gold Glove awards from ’76-’81, and was very practically named the AL Rookie of the Yr in 1974. Sundberg was recognized principally as a defensive catcher however nonetheless contributed 20 or extra doubles for the Rangers six instances, and was a extremely essential piece of this staff at some point of his tenure. 

Knuckleballer Charlie Hough pitched for the Rangers for the whole lot of the Eighties and was an extremely productive member of the membership’s pitching employees. In 344 appearances for Texas (313 of which had been begins), the right-handed Hough earned 139 victories and pitched to a robust 3.68 ERA in 2,308 innings. Hough was a workhorse for the Rangers, contributing over 200 innings in eight completely different seasons, firing 98 full video games, and twice main the league in begins. He represented the Rangers within the 1987 all-star recreation, and would later go on to turn out to be a pitching coach in Los Angeles and New York. 

Infielder Toby Harrah started his profession as a member of the revamped Washington Senators after which moved with the staff to Texas when the second Senators staff in D.C. modified cities. In 1,355 video games with the franchise that grew to become often called the Rangers in ’72, Harrah slashed .257/.357/.389 with 124 homers, 568 RBI, 187 doubles, 22 triples, and 153 stolen bases. Harrah represented Texas in three of his 4 profession all-star appearances. 

The overwhelming majority of Juan Gonzalez’s extremely productive Main League profession was spent in a Texas Rangers uniform, and in his prime, there have been only a few right-handed hitters who had been extra harmful. In precisely 1,400 video games with the Rangers ‘Juan-Gon’ slashed .293/.342/.565 with 372 lengthy balls, 1,180 RBI, and 320 doubles. He was the American League MVP in each 1996 and 1998, earned 5 Silver Sluggers, received the House Run Derby in 1993, and but was solely chosen to characterize Texas in two all-star video games. Gonzalez led the Majors in homers in each ’92 and ’93, and paced the AL with 157 RBI in ’98. 

Like so many different gamers on this listing, left-hander Kenny Rogers left Texas and later got here back–and in his case he really did it twice. In 528 video games (252 begins) throughout three completely different stints with the Rangers, Rogers received 133 video games and delivered a 4.16 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP in 1,909 innings. The Savannah, GA native was chosen to characterize Texas in three all-star video games and received 4 Gold Gloves with the staff. A few of Rogers’ numbers do not scream top-of-the-rotation starter, however he was a constant workhorse, giving the Rangers over 200 innings in 5 completely different seasons, and that stage of consistency will at all times have worth. 

Venezuelan-born Elvis Andrus remains to be enjoying and is at present a helpful center infielder for the White Sox, however he first minimize his enamel in Texas, and when his profession is over, he’ll undoubtedly be most remembered for his time because the Rangers’ beginning shortstop. In 12 seasons in Arlington the 34-year-old slashed .274/.330/.372 with 76 residence runs, 636 RBI, 303 doubles, 48 triples, and 305 stolen bases. He represented Texas in two all-star video games, was the runner-up to Andrew Bailey within the 2009 AL Rookie of the Yr voting, stole over 30 bases for the Rangers 5 instances, and helped the membership win the AL pennant in each 2010 and 2011. 

Proper-handed slugger Frank Howard really solely wore a Texas Rangers uniform in 1972, as most of his tenure with the group was spent in D.C. whereas they had been nonetheless often called the Senators. Regardless of the identify on the jersey, although, Howard was one of the harmful energy hitters within the sport. In 1,172 video games with this franchise, he slashed .277/.367/.503 with 246 residence runs, 701 RBI, and 155 doubles. He was chosen to characterize the staff in 4 straight all-star video games from 1968-1971, and whereas with the Senators, he led the league in homers twice and RBI as soon as. 

For greater than a dozen years third baseman Michael Younger was primarily the face of the Rangers staff. He debuted for the membership as a 23-year-old rookie late within the 2000 marketing campaign, and starting in ’01 rapidly blossomed right into a productive on a regular basis common. In 1,823 video games with Texas, Younger slashed a superb .301/.347/.444 with 177 homers, 984 RBI, 415 doubles, 55 triples, and 89 stolen bases. He received the batting title in 2005, was chosen to seven completely different all-star groups, earned a Gold Glove in ’08, and helped the Rangers win two AL pennants. Texas retired his quantity 10 in 2019. 

When shortstop Alex Rodriguez signed in Texas a free agent previous to the 2001 marketing campaign, his 10-year/$252 million deal was the richest contract within the historical past of the sport. And if I might informed you throughout his introductory press convention that Rodriguez would solely play for the Rangers for 3 years you’d have laughed me out of the room. However alas, that is the way it all performed out. In his three seasons in Arlington, Rodriguez was merely particular, slashing .305/.395/.615 with 156 residence runs, 395 RBI, 91 doubles, 9 triples, and 44 stolen bases. He led the American League in homers all three years, paced the league in RBI in 2002, and received his first MVP award in ’03. He received two Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers in Texas and was emphatically acknowledged as one of the best participant within the recreation. After the 2003 season, although, the Rangers felt they wanted payroll flexibility in the event that they had been going to contend, and the Yankees had been all too completely satisfied to commerce for him and soak up his excessive wage. Right this moment Rodriguez’s Texas tenure is seen a lot otherwise after he admitted to utilizing PED’s throughout his time there, however within the second it was unbelievable what he was in a position to accomplish in such a brief period of time. 

Josh Hamilton unbelievable renaissance in Texas was comparatively short-lived however, wow, was it spectacular to observe. After battling off-the-field points that threatened to derail his profession earlier than it even started, Hamilton reemerged in Cincinnati in 2007, hitting 19 homers in 90 video games as a rookie. He was then traded to Texas the place he blossomed into probably the most harmful offensive participant in baseball. In components of six seasons with the Rangers the left-handed slugger slashed .302/.359/.542 with 150 homers, 531 RBI, 164 doubles, 17 triples, and 40 steals. He was chosen to 5 straight all-star groups from ’08-’12, received three Silver Sluggers, and was named the MVP of the American League in 2010. He received a batting title with Texas, led the AL with 130 RBI in 2008, and was the driving pressure behind two pennant-winning Rangers groups. 

Outfielder Rusty Greer was chosen by the Rangers within the tenth spherical of the 1990 draft and would go on to spend his complete 9 yr profession with the staff as a productive left-handed hitter. In 1,027 video games in a Texas uniform, the Fort Rucker, AL native slashed a robust .305/.387/.478 with 119 homers, 614 RBI, and 258 doubles. Greer drove in over 100 runs for the Rangers thrice and racked up 40 doubles in a season on three separate events as properly. 

Proper-hander Fergie Jenkins is most remembered for his exploits in Chicago with the Cubs, however let’s not overlook how dominant he was in six complete seasons throughout two completely different stints in Arlington. In 197 outings with the Rangers Jenkins received 93 video games and delivered a 3.56 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP in 1,410.1 innings. He led the league with 25 wins and 29 full video games in 1974, and threw over 200 innings for Texas 4 instances. Jenkins was elected to the Corridor of Fame in 1991. 

Change-hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira loved a extremely productive fourteen-year Main League profession, and whereas he could also be most remembered as a Yankee, he spent his first 4 and a half seasons in Texas and it is in Arlington the place he blossomed right into a star. Within the 693 video games he performed with the Rangers, Teixeira slashed .283/.368/.533 with 153 residence runs, 499 RBI, and 173 doubles. He homered over 30 instances and drove in additional than 100 runs for the Rangers in three straight seasons from ’04-’06, was an all-star in 2005, received two Silver Sluggers and two Gold Gloves, and twice really performed in all 162 of Texas’ contests. 

Third baseman Ken McMullen by no means really suited up in a Texas Rangers uniform, as his time with this group ended simply previous to the staff leaving D.C. in favor of the Lone Star State. Within the six seasons he did spend with this franchise, although, McMullen was in a position to carve out a job as a productive on a regular basis participant. In 767 video games with the Senators, he slashed .251/.317/.389 with 199 extra-base hits and 327 RBI. He by no means made an all-star staff, however he did give Washington 5 straight years with double-digit residence run totals, and in 1969 he drove in a career-high 87 runs. 

Julio Franco extremely performed within the Main Leagues till he was 48 years previous, and whereas he suited up for eight completely different groups, a look in the back of his baseball card would let you know his finest days got here in Texas. In 5 seasons with the Rangers the right-handed hitter slashed .307/.382/.440 with 55 homers, 331 RBI, 123 doubles, 12 triples, and 98 stolen bases. He received the batting title by hitting .341 in 1991, made all three of his profession all-star groups whereas in Texas, and even received three Silver Sluggers. 

Change-hitting outfielder Ruben Sierra had three completely different stints in Texas and was a productive offensive piece for the Rangers in every one in every of them. In 1,190 complete video games with the staff the Puerto Rican-born slugger slashed .280/.323/.473 with 180 residence runs, 742 RBI, 257 doubles, 44 triples, and 90 stolen bases. He represented the Rangers in three all-star video games, earned a Silver Slugger, and even received the 1989 House Run Derby. In that ’89 season he additionally led the American League in video games performed, RBI, triples, and slugging proportion, and finally completed runner as much as Robin Yount within the MVP voting. 

When Yu Darvish determined to go away the NPB and be part of the Main Leagues in 2012 it was met with an unbelievable quantity of hype and pleasure, as on the time he was one of the best pitcher in Japan. The Rangers had been over the moon that he selected to start his huge league profession in Texas, and it rapidly grew to become obvious he was as each bit pretty much as good as we might all heard. In 122 begins throughout 5 seasons in Texas, Darvish received 52 video games and delivered a 3.42 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP. He struck out an eye-opening 960 batters in 782.2 innings and led the Majors with 277 punchouts in 2013. Darvish represented the Rangers in 4 all-star video games, and now with the Padres he at present stays one of many higher pitchers in baseball. 

Left-handed swinging first baseman Pete O’Brien was chosen by the Rangers within the fifteenth spherical of the 1979 draft popping out of the College of Nebraska-Lincoln, and for the primary seven years of his huge league profession offered the Rangers with a gentle presence at place quantity three. In 946 video games with the staff he slashed .273/.348/.432 with 114 homers, 487 RBI, and 161 doubles, whereas persistently enjoying sturdy protection at an essential place. O’Brien homered over 18 instances and drove in additional than 80 runs for Texas for 4 straight years from ’84-’87. 

Proper-hander Kevin Brown received two ERA titles and a World Collection title with different groups afterward, however he spent his first eight seasons in Texas laying the muse for what would finally be an exceptional profession. In 187 outings for the Rangers the Milledgeville, GA native earned 78 victories and pitched to a 3.81 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP in 1,278.2 innings. He made his first profession all-star staff in 1992, the identical season he led the American League in wins, and innings. Brown was a constant workhorse who gave the Rangers 25 or extra begins for six straight years from ’89-’94, contributed over 200 innings thrice, and even fired 40 full video games.