Greatest All-Time Texas Rangers at Each Position

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The Ryan Express, Big Tex, whatever you call him, he’s legendary. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Pitcher

Nolan Ryan is the greatest pitcher in Texas Rangers history and one of the best in the history of Major League Baseball. Ryan only spent five years with the Rangers, but they were historic seasons. Over those five seasons Ryan went 51-39 3.43 ERA in 129 starts with 939 strikeouts.

Ryan led the league in strikeouts in 1989 with 301 and also made the All-Star team. In 1990 Ryan once again led the league in strikeouts with 232. Although the strikeout numbers did decrease for Ryan each season after his ridiculous 301 strikeout season in 1989.

Ryan was also 42-years-old when he came to the Rangers in 1989. Not too many 42-year-old players can strikeout 301 batters in a single season. Ryan is actually 8th all-time with 383 strikeouts in a single season. He also ranks 1st all-time in total career strikeouts with 5714.

It is clear Nolan Ryan was a feared pitcher during his playing days. Ryan did only play five seasons with the Rangers, but made a obvious mark on the team. Many would believe Fergie Jenkins is better suited as the Rangers best pitcher. Jenkins went 93-72 with 3.56 ERA in 197 games with 895 strikeouts.

Jenkins spent six seasons with the team, but gave up a league leading 37 homers in 1975 then allowed a league leading 40 homers in 1979. Jenkins did have success with the Rangers, but also never made an All-Star game with the team. At times Jenkins struggled with control and command which hurt his strikeout numbers.

Nolan Ryan started his career with the Rangers at age 41 while Jenkins started at 31. Ryan was 10 years older than Jenkins and managed to get more strikeouts than him in less seasons. Jenkins is an excellent pitcher, but Ryan had a better career with the Rangers.

The MLB may never see another pitcher strikeout 300 plus batters at 40 or older. Some statistics may show that other Rangers pitchers had better careers. Although the mark left by Nolan Ryan on the Texas Rangers fanbase will never be touched.

MLB: San Francisco Giants at Texas Rangers /

Right Field

Juan Gonzalez had an extraordinary career with the Texas Rangers that lasted 13 years. During that time Gonzalez appeared in two All-Star games. He also won the Silver Slugger five times as a member of the Rangers. Lastly, Gonzalez won two MVP awards in 1996 and 1998.

During his 13 year career with the Rangers Gonzalez hit .293/.342/.565 with 372 homers and 1180 RBI. Gonzalez leads the Rangers all-time list for home runs, and runs batted in. He is fourth all-time on the Rangers hit list with 1595.

Gonzalez started his career at the age of 19 with the Rangers. He struggled his first Major League season, but after that he blossomed into an All-Star hitter. Gonzalez led the league twice in homers and once in RBI when he knocked in 157 runs in 1998.

Gonzalez played in the post-season three times with the Rangers. In the 1996 series against the New York Yankees, Gonzalez hit 5 homers and 9 RBI in just four games. The Rangers did not win any of those playoff series, but Gonzalez played a crucial role in all of them.

Steroid rumors doomed any hope of Gonzalez making the Hall of Fame. Although Gonzalez was inducted into the Rangers Hall of Fame in 2015. Gonzalez may not be in Cooperstown, but he was one of the greatest Rangers hitters of all-time.

Oct 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) slides into home plate during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers won 9-2 and clinch the American League West division. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Center Field

Josh Hamilton is back with the Rangers in 2017 to continue his fantastic career. Not including 2017 Hamilton has played in six seasons with the Texas Rangers. Hamilton has five All-Star appearances, along with three Silver Slugger awards. That is not all, Hamilton also won MVP with the Rangers in 2010 when he hit .359/.411/.633 with 32 homers and 100 RBI.

Hamilton has put together a career filled with accolades yet has only played in nine Major League seasons. During that time Hamilton has managed to play in four different post-season series with the Rangers. He has also played in not one, but two World Series in 2010 and 2011.

Hamilton did not win a World Series ring, but was the playoff series MVP in 2010. Hamilton had a huge 2010 season with a .359 batting average which is the Rangers all-time highest batting average in a single season.

Plenty of players have spent ten plus years with the Rangers organization. Hamilton has been able to accomplish tasks that some players have not been able to do during in their entire careers. Only six seasons with the Rangers, but has posted .302/.359/.542 with 150 homers and 531 RBI.

Hamilton is 14th all-time on the Rangers home run list. Only players higher than Hamilton with less games played are Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeria. Injuries have damaged Hamilton’s career along with some off the field issues.

After missing all of the 2016 season, Hamilton is back with the Rangers in 2017. He was signed by the Rangers on a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training. The legend of Josh Hamilton will hopefully continue in 2017 and beyond.

May 3, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz (17) singles against the Boston Red Sox during the third inning at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports /

Left Field

Nelson Cruz did not play much left field during his time with the Rangers. Regardless he is well deserving of this spot. Cruz was a two-time All-Star with Texas and spent eight years in a Ranger uniform.

Cruz went to the post-season three different times with Texas. Making it to the World Series twice, but failed to get a World Series ring. Cruz did manage to grab a playoff series MVP though in 2011. During that series Cruz hit 6 homers and 13 RBI in six games.

Cruz was not known for his great defensive skills, but his bat is tough to beat. During his eight seasons with Texas, Cruz hit .268/.327/.495 with 157 home runs and 489 RBI. Those 157 homers puts Cruz as 8th all-time on the Rangers home run list.

In 2013 Cruz was suspended 50 games for testing positive for PEDs. That was his last season with the Rangers and since then Cruz has put together three straight 40 home run campaigns. Cruz is getting better with age, but the Rangers have to wonder what could’ve been if they had kept Cruz around.

While some other Ranger outfielders have better statistics than Cruz. The post-season was where Cruz shined the brightest. In 34 playoff games Cruz hit 14 homers and 27 RBI. It is going to be hard to find another Rangers outfielder that had as much success in the post-season as Nelson Cruz did with the Rangers.

Third Base

Adrian Beltre has been to three All-Star games, won three Gold Gloves, and two Silver Sluggers since joining the Rangers. Beltre has only spent six years in Texas, but they have been the best years of his career.

During his six seasons with the Rangers, Beltre has managed to make it to 7th all-time on the Rangers home run list. During his six seasons Beltre has hit over .300 every season, but two and has four 30 plus home run seasons.

Beltre has been to the post-season four different times with the Rangers. He has been to one World Series, but did not win. Although Beltre has received an MVP vote every season since joining the Rangers in 2011.

Beltre joined the Rangers at the age of 32 and is tied for the 2nd highest batting average in team history. Somehow Beltre continues to get better with age as he has put together an unbelievable career. Beltre has a career .308 batting average and the only other player with a higher average with the Rangers is Al Oliver.

The legacy of Adrian Beltre will continue in 2017 and hopefully beyond that. Through six seasons with the Rangers Beltre is hitting .308/.358/.516 with 167 homers and 563 RBI. Whenever Beltre does decide to retire he is going to have a strong case for the Hall of Fame.

Sep 5, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez (13) at second after his double during the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Shortstop

Alex Rodriguez only spent three seasons with the Rangers, but those were unbelievable seasons. Rodriguez was an All-Star all three seasons with Texas. He also won three Silver Slugger awards and two Gold Gloves with the Rangers. Rodriguez won MVP in 2003 with Texas when he hit 47 homers and 118 RBI in a single season.

Three seasons does not seem like enough time to become to best all-time at a position. Rodriguez hit .305/.395/.615 with 156 home runs and 395 RBI during his time in Texas. Which makes A-Rod 9th all-time in homers, 5th all-time in batting average, and first in slugging percentage.

A-Rod did not make the post-season with the Rangers. Although he led the league all three seasons in home runs and once in RBI. Rodriguez only missed one game throughout three seasons with the Rangers.

Testing positive for PEDs has completely ruined the legacy of Alex Rodriguez. This list is solely based off performance and A-Rod was unstoppable on the field. Rodriguez did not test positive for PEDs when he was on the Rangers.

The Hall of Fame is unlikely for A-Rod despite the historic career. By statistics alone Rodriguez is the best shortstop in Rangers history right now. It is going to be difficult for any player to do what he accomplished in three seasons with Texas.

October 3, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Michael Young (10) rounds third base as he scores a run against the Oakland Athletics during the third inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Second Base

Michael Young spent almost his entire career in a Rangers uniform. Young played 13 seasons with the Rangers and was an All-Star seven times. Won a Gold Glove award and had six 200 plus hit seasons with the Rangers.

Young went to three post-seasons with the Rangers. He went to the World Series twice, but failed to get a ring. Young played almost ten years with the team before his first post-season game in 2010.

One of the better defensive players during his time, but actually known for his bat. Young is the Rangers all-time leader in hits with 2230. During his career with the team Young hit .301/.347/.444 with 177 homers and 984 RBI.

Young is also the Rangers leader in games played, at bats, runs, doubles, triples. It is safe to say Michael Young had a successful career with the Rangers. He is the leader in most of the hitting statistics in team history.

Young made his MLB debut with the Rangers, but unfortunately did not get to end his career with the team. On a good note Michael Young was inducted into the Rangers Hall of Fame. A happy ending to a great career for Mr. Ranger.

First Base

Rafael Palmeiro spent half his career as a Texas Ranger. An All-Star twice with the Rangers and even won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger along the way. Palmeiro hit .290/.378/.519 with 321 homers and 1039 RBI in ten years with the Rangers.

Palmeiro was best known for his ability to draw walks at the plate. As Palmeiro walked 805 times during his career with Texas. That makes Palmeiro the all-time walks leader by almost one hundred more walks than the next player.

Although Palmeiro did not only just walk as he is second in homers and RBI behind Juan Gonzalez. Much like many of the other players on the list Palmerio did play in the post-season with Texas. Only one series in 1999, but that does not take away from his great career.

Palmeiro is one of four players to have 3,000 hits and over 500 home runs in a career. He did not make the Hall of Fame as he knocked off the ballot. Possible steroid use is what could have scared away some of the voters. Regardless Palmeiro had a great career and is one of the best hitters in Rangers history.

Catcher

Ivan Rodriguez is not just one of the greatest Texas Rangers catchers, but he is one of the best all-time. Rodriguez was an All-Star ten times during his 13 year career in Texas. Winning the Gold Glove award at catcher ten times as a member of the Rangers. Rodriguez also won MVP in 1999 with Texas.

During his 13 seasons in a Ranger uniform Rodriguez hit .304/.341/.488 with 217 homers and 842 RBI. He was not only one of the best offensive hitters in the game, but a great defensive catcher as well.

Rodriguez played in the post-season three different times with the Rangers. He was unable to get a World Series ring during his time in Texas. Although Rodriguez did win a World Series with the Florida Marlins in 2003.

Rodriguez started his career in Texas at the age of 19. He finished fourth in the Rookie of the Year balloting. That was just the beginning of a huge career for Rodriguez. He went on to become an elite hitter and win the Silver Slugger six times with Texas.

In 2016 Rodriguez was inducted into the Hall of Fame. To honor Rodriguez the Texas Rangers are retiring his number seven. Ivan Rodriguez was a once in a lifetime catcher that will never be forgotten.

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