Texas Rangers All-Time Team and Franchise Lineup

There has been tons of talent to come through Arlington, Texas over the years, and many have left their mark in the hearts of Texas Rangers fans. Although, some left Rangers fans bitter. The question is though, what would a team of the best Rangers of all time look like?

Here are the variables:

Each player must’ve played at least three seasons with the Rangers.

Not every player has to be liked by the fans. (Sorry, I think you can guess this player)

There will be a starter and a runner up for each position, and there will be a 5 man rotation, along with closer, and 2 bullpen spots.

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.

ST LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 28: (L-R) Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers celebrates with Nelson Cruz #17 after scoring on an RBI double by Michael Young #10 in the first inning during Game Seven of the MLB World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on October 28, 2011 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Left Field

Starter – Josh Hamilton

Breakdown – The natural; the player that could’ve been Griffey-esqe shined very brightly in his time in Texas, and while he left on bad terms, his time in Texas was almost magical. He brought something different to the game and practically ushered in a new era of Rangers baseball. He was a huge factor on the 2010-2011 teams and a Rangers career .305 AVG, with 150 home runs as a Ranger. He was everyone’s favorite player and won an MVP in 2010 while only playing in 133 games. Not to mention he had the greatest home run derby performance of all time too.

Runner up – Rusty Greer, he was a mainstay of 90’s Rangers baseball. With a career average of .305 in his 9 seasons of baseball, all with the Rangers. He is up there among all of the other beloved Rangers players. He also had the greatest no-hit saving catch ever.

Center Field

Starter – Al Oliver

Breakdown – Oliver batted .319 for his time in Texas. He had a great career Fielding percentage at .981. This position is kind of a toss-up, as the main outfielders for the Rangers over the years have been corner outfielders. You could put Greer here too, maybe Hamilton as well.

Runner up – Rusty Greer (see above)

Right Field

Starter – Juan Gonzalez

Breakdown – He had a Rangers career average of .298 and belted 372 home runs as a Ranger. He is considered as one of the best players of the ’90s and he won 2 MVPs and 6 silver sluggers. Juan Gonzalez is the Rangers all-time leader in home runs and RBI’s.

Runner up – Nelson Cruz, in his 8 years in Texas he was a pivotal force in the lineup, especially during the World Series runs.

Designated Hitter

Starter – Mark Teixeira

Breakdown – Be honest, if you were building a lineup and had a chance to put Palmeiro and Tex in the same lineup somehow, you would. Maybe these two should have flopped as Teixeira was a great fielder as well.

Runner up – Ruben Sierra, While he was primarily an outfielder in the first stint as a Ranger, he played DH plenty in his career and was very formidable in the spot, in his time in Texas he had an average of .280 and had 180 Home Runs in 10 seasons. Honestly, though, you could put almost anyone here really, Blalock, Tex? If Blalock would’ve been able to remain healthy there is no telling how good he could’ve been.

Top Lineup

2B Michael Young
SS Alex Rodriguez
RF Juan Gonzales
3B Adrian Beltre
LF Josh Hamilton
C  Ivan Rodriguez
1B Rafael Palmeiro
DH Mark Teixeira
CF Al Oliver

SP- Ferguson Jenkins

What do you think of the All-Time Rangers squad? What changes would you make to your list? Let us know in the comments.