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Texas Rangers All-Time Team: The Final Reveal

By Lisa Weatherall |
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Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

This is the final edition of the Texas Rangers All-Time Team, voted by you the fans and readers. I decided to reveal the players named at shortstop, designated hitter and catcher last for a few reasons.

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You voted the same player for SS and DH. As for the player named All-Time catcher, he was the ONLY player to receive a unanimous vote. I thought it would be nice to honor these two players by giving them their own article, and as the saying goes “Save the Best for Last!”

In case you missed it, here is a recap on who already made the Texas Rangers All-Time Team roster:

STARTING PITCHERS:

BULLPEN:

INFIELD:

OUTFIELD:

  • Juan Gonzalez: (2.93/.342/.565); 2x All-Star as a Ranger (1993, 1998); 2x American League MVP (1996, 1998); 5x Silver Slugger AL OF (1992, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998)
  • Rusty Greer: (.305/.387/.478); June 15, 1997 American League Player of the Week
  • Josh Hamilton: (.305/.363/.549); 5x All-Star (2008-2012); 3x Silver Slugger AL OF (2008, 2010, 2012); In 2010 – ALCS MVP, AL Batting Title, AL MVP, Major League Player of the Year

Next: Shortstop and Designated Hitter Reveal

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

If you were to look up the definition of team player in The Dickson Baseball Dictionary and it had a picture of a player that epitomizes the term, it would look like this:

Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

A player who works with others for the benefit of the team rather than playing for his own recognition.”

Michael Young is the only player voted for two positions – shortstop and designated hitter.

It’s a long way from where Young started but, comes as no surprise. The Californian made his major league debut with the Texas Rangers as a pinch runner September 29, 2000. He remained with the big league team for the remainder of the the season but, there were only 5 games left and Young only had two at bats.

Little did fans realize this rookie would become a marquee player for the Rangers.

Rangers fans wouldn’t get another look at Michael Young until he was called up from Oklahoma RedHawks (AAA) on May 25, 2001 as a second baseman. But it was in 2002 when his defensive skills showed.

Do you remember that clip of Kenny Rogers starting that triple in April 2002? Well, I just realized that MY was a part of that. Have another look:

Young finished the ‘02 season ranked first among American League second basemen in assists with 420 and double plays turned with 97, and ranked second in putouts with 298, total zone runs with 6 and a .988 fielding percentage. He also ranked first among AL second basemen in 2003 for double plays turned with 117 and defensive games played with 159.

By 2004 Rangers fans began to see what Michael Young was all about, the team.

With the departure of shortstop Alex Rodriguez (no tears from me!) and addition of second baseman Alfonso Soriano he moved positions for the first time, and became the Texas Rangers everyday shortstop. 2004 would also be the first of six consecutive seasons Young would be sent to the All-Star Game (2004-2009).

July 2004, MY spins, throws to first, aaaand Miguel Cabrera is out! (Said in my best broadcast voice)

In two of his All-Star Game appearances Young drove in the winning run, the first in 2006.

The second time was in the 2008 All-Star Game, which is tied with the 1967 ASG for number of innings played (15) and set a record time (4:50) for longest ASG in its history. That must have made the walk-off sacrifice fly even sweeter.

Young won the 2005 American League Batting Title with an average of .331 and led the majors in hits with 221. His defensive skills at shortstop earned him his first and only Gold Glove in 2008.

When Texas Rangers’ top prospect Elvis Andrus joined the big league team in 2009 to play shortstop, once again Young moved positions, this time to third base to accommodate the club. MY also hit his first career walk-off homer in April 2009.

On June 16, 2010 Michael Young surpassed Pudge and became Texas Rangers career leader in hits.

Here are few highlights of Michael Young in 2010:

July 23 MY hits a walk-off single after Andrus puts on the squeeze. Who says bunting never works?

I love watching rundowns because they are generally quite comical, especially when it ultimately leads the tag for an out. But this one by Young, isn’t great because of the tag. Here’s what I mean:

I share this clip from October because I love that the “good guy” robs the “bad guy” of a hit:

Next: Young Moves Positions One Last Time

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

After Texas acquired Adrian Beltre in 2011, the Rangers used Michael Young as the designated hitter and utility infielder. He played through the 2012 season; however, after the season Young waived his no-trade clause and was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Josh Lindblom and Lisalverto Bonilla.

It was clear the decisions being made by the Rangers were frustrating to Michael Young, but that did not stop him from great success in his final two seasons as a Ranger.

4/30/11: MY launches his first homer of the season at Oakland Athletics. (Always nice to get one off the A’s!)

Young went 3-for-5 with three RBI on June 10, 2011.

MY gets his 2,000th career hit on August 7, 2011. I love when this happens at home, makes the moment extra special.

You need a player to go 3-for-4 with a homer and drive in four runs? OK, just call Michael Young!

Relax, MY has it!

On June 23, 2012 Young hits his 400th career double and finished the season with 415, making him the Rangers career leader in doubles.

There are not enough (polite) words to express how Rangers fans felt about the…ahem, stuff Michael Young went through that ultimately led to his request to be traded. So, I’m just going to let that stay in the past and just say:

We love Michael Young

After playing for the Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013 Young announced his retirement on January 31, 2014.

Not gonna lie, I got teary-eyed watching this, again.

On May 5, 2014 many came to speak during his retirement ceremony about what a terrific player and teammate Michael Young was, but also what a remarkable human being he is.

Then on November 5, Texas fans celebrated the return of Michael Young as he was named Special Assistant to General Manager Jon Daniels. The press release stated he will work with JD

and his staff in all areas of baseball operations, including player evaluation and player development at the major and minor league level, special assignments, and scouting trips.”

He may not be wearing a Texas Rangers uniform, but I know many fans were thrilled to hear Young would be back with the club, even more so knowing he would help with the development of players. Especially since in 2008 and 2011 Michael Young won the Marvin Miller Award, which honors one MLB player

whose on-field performance and contributions to his community inspire others to higher levels of achievement.”

Young joined John Smoltz (2002, 2003) and Jim Thome (2001, 2004) as the only players who have won the award twice.

Young is the Rangers single-season leader for:

  • At-Bats: 2006 (691)
  • Plate Appearances: 2006 (748)
  • Hits: 2005 (221)
  • Doubles: 2006 (52)

More impressive Michael Young is currently the Texas Rangers career leader in:

  • Games Played (1,823)
  • At-Bats (7,399)
  • Plate Appearances (8,047)
  • Runs Scored (1,085)
  • Hits (2,230)
  • Total Bases (3,286)
  • Doubles (415)
  • Triples (55)
  • Singles (1,583)
  • Times on Base (2,783)
  • Sacrifice Flies (70)

Next: All-Time Team Catcher

Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Your all-time catcher happens to be one of the most highly regarded catchers in MLB history, Ivan Rodriguez, who fans affectionately refer to as ‘Pudge’.

I could write pages upon pages praising Pudge. To me, he is the ultimate catcher. He is the reason we expect catchers to play in 130+ games behind the dish well into their 30’s. He’s the reason expect catchers to make runners to think twice on stealing.

There is a reason that he was the ONLY player who received a unanimous win.

Don’t worry, I’ll keep the number of videos down. Mainly because there are not many of him with the Rangers.

In 1988, at just 16-years old Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez signed with Texas, and three years later made his major league debut with the Texas Rangers June 20, 1991. He hit his first career home run on August 30, 1991.

In 1992, only 20-years old, with Nolan Ryan on the mound (that had to be intimidating for a kid), Pudge shows of his power skills behind the dish when he throws out Ken Griffey, Jr. attempting to steal second.

September 11, 1997 Pudge hit three home runs and 5 RBI against the Minnesota Twins.

Over the course of his 21-year career Rodriguez played for six teams, Texas Rangers (1991-2002, 2009), Miami Marlins (2003), Detroit Tigers (2004-2008), New York Yankees (2008), Houston Astros (2009) and Washington Nationals (2010-2011), of course most fans remember him in the best uni of all, the Texas Rangers uniform.

August 19, 2009 he was traded to the Rangers by the Houston Astros and receives a lengthy, well-deserved standing ovation in his first at-bat.

During the same game he fields a grounder, tosses it to first and gets Delmon Young out.

And, of course Pudge drives in a run in his first game back.

Next: One Door Closes, Another Door Opens

Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

It came as no surprise on April 18, 2012 when Pudge announced his intent to retire as a Ranger. He had a career average of .304 with 217 home runs and 842 RBI in 1,507 games with the Texas Rangers.

The official announcement was made at the Ballpark in Arlington on April 23, 2012. Ivan Rodriguez signed a one-day contract with Texas so he could retire as a Texas Ranger. Then Pudge threw out the ceremonial 1st pitch the only way he knew how on April 23, 2012.

Pudge Rodriguez joined the Rangers on February 21, 2013 as a “Special Assistant to the General Manager/Instructor/Ambassador.” I can’t think of any player I would want to represent the Rangers, especially during the MLB Draft.

The all-time ML leader with 2,427 games caught, has represented Texas consecutively since named Rangers’ Ambassador (2013) at the MLB Draft.

Throwing out nearly 42% of runners attempting to steal in his career earned Pudge the all-time record of 13 Gold Gloves at catcher, including 10 in a row from 1992-2001. The Puerto Rico native was the 1999 American League MVP, setting a single-season record posting a minimum average of .330 with 35 home runs, 110 RBI and 110 runs scored by a catcher.

Rodriguez was inducted as the 16th member of the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame on July 20, 2013, and in February 2014 he was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Thanks to his friend, Michael Young, Pudge ranks second in club history in hits (1,747), doubles (352) and singles (1,150). He also ranks third in at-bats (5,754) and triples (28).

Clearly, it is easy to see why Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez was a no-brainer when you cast your votes for all-time catcher. His hard work set the expectations for the modern day catcher. His ferocity behind the plate was feared by would-be-stealers, but his warm personality and generosity is what makes him loved by teammates and adored by fans.

And, that smile is unforgettable.

Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

This is YOUR Texas Rangers All-Time Team as voted by our readers. I think they did an amazing job! What do you think?

ONLY 35 DAYS UNTIL PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT TO SPRING TRAINING!

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