Texas Rangers All-Time Team and Franchise Lineup

HOUSTON, TX – MAY 11: Adrian Beltre #29 of the Texas Rangers throws to first base in the fourth inning attempting to throw out Marwin Gonzalez #9 of the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on May 11, 2018 in Houston, Texas. An error was issued on the throw. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Catcher

Starter- Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez

Breakdown: It would be hard to go with anyone else here. Pudge was mister Ranger long before Michael Young and Adrian Beltre. Ivan is a Hall of Famer, who had 13 Gold Gloves, 7 Silver Sluggers, and the MVP award in 1999 wearing Rangers red, white, and blue. Pudge may be considered the greatest catcher of all time.

Runner up- Jim Sundberg, as amazing as he was the original number 10 didn’t put up near the production that Pudge did.

1st Base

Starter- Rafael Palmeiro

Breakdown- The only player in Major League history to hit at least 38 home runs and drive in 100 RBIs in 9 straight seasons. Allegations aside he was a premier player at the time and has 569 home runs to show for it.

Runner up- Mark Teixeira, he was phenomenal in Texas, as was he a fan favorite. He racked up 140 home runs in his time in Arlington. He also was the ammo in the greatest trade in Rangers history.

2nd Base

Starter- Michael Young

Breakdown- This was actually a difficult one, with Kinsler and Franco coming in at runner up and both had stellar careers in Texas, and the logjam at shortstop. I had to find a place for the captain. Michael Young is the embodiment of Texas Rangers baseball, with 5 straight 200 hit seasons in the mid-2000s, 1 gold glove, and 7 all-star appearances. Plus, he always did what was best for the team, constantly moving one position over for the new guy. He is and was everything you wanted from a player and a teammate.

Runner up- Ian Kinsler and Julio Franco, I couldn’t choose just one here. Franco was phenomenal with over 2500 career hits and a career .298 batting average.

Kinsler was also great in his own right, he was a fan favorite during the world series runs and had a Rangers career Average of .273 with an average of 20 home runs a season, which peaked up to 31 in 2009.

3rd Base

Starter- Adrian Beltre

Breakdown- Who else but Beltre? He may be the greatest player to ever suit up as a Ranger, and easily the most entertaining. 3,000 hits, 5 gold gloves, 4 silver sluggers. Some of his best career years were in Texas, where he averaged a .304 AVG, 25 Home runs, and 87 RBIs a season in his time in Texas. He is a first ballot Hall of Famer and #1 in the hearts of Rangers fans.

Runner up- Buddy Bell, he won a Gold Glove every season as a Ranger and averaged a .301 AVG, 14 Home Runs, and 77 RBI’s a season as a Ranger.

Shortstop

Starter – Alex Rodriguez

Breakdown – Don’t hate me Rangers fans, I savored the ALCS strikeout of A-Rod just as much as all of you, but you cannot argue that he was absolutely insane as a Ranger. In his 3 Rangers seasons, he averaged a .305 AVG, an outrageous 52 Home Runs, and 132 RBIs per season. Allegations aside, he was absolutely ridiculous, and for that, I can’t forgo putting him on the list.

Runner up – Elvis Andrus, you could also go Young here, but Elvis has provided entertainment to the position for the last 11 years, and he is picking up the pace offensively in a major way of late. He was also a mainstay in the two World Series years and he is a fan favorite.