The 10 Greatest Pitchers in Texas Rangers History

Since the establishment of the Texas Rangers franchise in 1961, thousands of pitchers have graced the mound in a Rangers uniform.  Some of the games greatest names have pitched at least a portion of their careers in Texas.

The Texas Rangers are the only AL team to never have a Cy Young Award winner, voted annually by the media as the top pitcher in a given season.  The Rangers have had several close calls for the Cy Young, but the award has eluded all of the Rangers greatest pitchers.

Here is a look at my Top 10 Texas Rangers pitchers of all-time. (all statistics found on baseball-reference.com)

Greatest Texas Rangers Pitchers: #1- Nolan Ryan

Years: 5 (1989-1993)

G/GS/CG: 129/129/15

W-L: 51-39

ERA: 3.43

IP: 840.0

SO: 939

WHIP: 1.13

The namesake of our FanSided page, Nolan Ryan is the best pitcher who ever pitched for the Rangers.  Ryan signed with the Rangers prior to the 1989 season and pitched in parts of five seasons for the Rangers.  He was well past his prime but, Ryan was able to throw two no-hitters and recorded his 300th career victory playing for Texas, all after the age of 42.

Ryan pitched 27 seasons in MLB and continues to have 51 MLB records including the most SO (5,714) by a pitcher in major league history.

According to baseball-referecnce.com, Ryan earned just over $25.75M in career earnings.  His highest salary was $4.2M in 1992, at the age of 45.

After retiring as a player, from 2008-2013, Ryan was president and CEO of the Rangers before stepping down and taking on a position with the Houston Astros.

Ryan was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999 when he collected 98.79% of the vote on his first ballot.  In 2003, Ryan was elected to the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame, and remains the only pitcher in Rangers history to have his number (34) retired.

Could Clayton Kershaw be this current team’s Nolan Ryan?

Greatest Texas Rangers Pitchers: #2- Charlie Hough

Years: 11 (1980-1990)

G/GS/CG: 344/313/98

W-L: 139/123

ERA: 3.68

IP: 2,308.0

SO: 1,452

WHIP: 1.28

Charlie Hough was primarily a relief pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers before he joined Texas in a mid-season trade in 1980.  By 1982, Hough was converted into a starting pitcher with the Rangers.  In 1986, Hough was selected as an All-Star when he went 17-10 with a 3.79 ERA.

Hough was known for his knuckleball, a pitch he used almost 80% of the time.  In 25 MLB seasons, Hough recorded 216 wins, to place 4th all-time for a knucklball pitcher.

In parts of 11 seasons in Texas, Hough stenciled his name into the Rangers record books as he continues to lead all Rangers pitchers in Innings Pitched, Runs, Earned Runs, Home Runs, Hit Batters, Strikeouts, Wins, Loses, and Complete Games.

Hough makes my Top 10 Greatest Rangers pitchers because he is 1st in W, 4th in G, 1st in GS, 1st in CG, 3rd in SHO, 1st in IP, 1st in SO, and 6th in BA Against.

In 1990, when Hough was 42, he earned the highest salary ($1M) while playing in a Rangers uniform.

In 1994, at the age of 46, Hough retired from playing.  In 1996, Hough started his coaching career and from 2001-2002 was the pitching coach of the New York Mets, under former Rangers manager Bobby Valentine.

In 2003, Hough was enshrined into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.

Greatest Texas Rangers Pitchers: #3- Ferguson Jenkins

Years: 6 (1974-1975, 1978-1981)

G/GS/CG: 197/190/90

W-L: 93/72

ERA: 3.56

IP: 1,410.1

SO: 895

WHIP: 1.17

Ferguson ‘Fergie’ Jenkins is the greatest Canadian pitcher in MLB history.  After nine seasons in the MLB, Jenkins joined the Rangers at age 31.  In 1974, as a member of the Rangers, Jenkins led the MLB with 25 wins.

For his 19 year career, Jenkins had a record of 284-226, and a 3.34 ERA with 3,192 SO.  In 1971, as a member of the Chicago Cubs, Jenkins won the NL Cy Young Award.

In six years playing for Texas, Jenkins still ranks 4th in Wins, 4th in loses, 5th in Games Started, 2nd in Complete Games, 1st in Shutouts, 4th in Innings Pitched, and 4th in Hits.

According to baseball-reference.com, in 1975, Jenkins earned $190,000 in salary, possibly the highest while playing in Texas.

In 1979, Jenkins was made a Member of the Order of Canada.  In 1987, Jenkins was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.  In 1991, Jenkins became the first Canadian inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, when he earned 75.4% of the vote on the 3rd ballot.

Formed in 1999 and continuing today, is the Fergie Jenkins Foundation.  This foundation raises money in “serving humanitarian need through the love of sport”.  This foundation supports nearly 400 charities across North America.  Twice annually, the Fergie Jenkins Foundations runs two golf tournaments at my golf club in the Niagara Region in Canada.

In 2004, Jenkins was enshrined into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.

Greatest Texas Rangers Pitchers: #4- Kenny Rogers

Years: 12 (1989-1995, 2000-2002, 2004-2005)

G/GS/CG: 528/252/21

W-L: 133-96

ERA: 4.16

IP: 1,909.0

SO: 1,201

WHIP: 1.41

SV: 28/28

Kenny Rogers played for the Texas Rangers three times during his 20 year career.  Primarily a reliever for the first four seasons of his career, Rogers was moved to the starting rotation with the Rangers in 1993.

Rogers compiled a 219-156 record during his MLB career.  In 3,302.2 innings, Rogers also had 1,968 SO and a 4.27 ERA.  Three of his four all-star appearances occurred while he was a member of the Rangers (1995, 2004-2005).  Rogers also won five Golden Glove Awards and pitched a perfect game in 1994 while he was a member of the Rangers.

In 2004, at the age of 39 and a member of the Rangers, Rogers won 18 games, the most in his MLB career.

Rogers makes my Top 10 Greatest Rangers Pitchers because he is 2nd in W, 1st in GP, 3rd in GS, 2nd in IP, and 3rd in SO.

During his 20 year career, according to baseball-reference.com, Rogers earned over $82.66M.  His highest salary while he was a member of the Rangers occurred for 2000-2002 when he earned $7.5M annually.  Rogers final MLB game occurred at the age of 43 as a member of the Detroit Tigers.

In 2011, Rogers was enshrined into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.

Greatest Texas Rangers Pitchers: #5- John Wetteland

Years: 4 (1997-2000)

G/GS/CG: 248/0/0

W-L: 20-12

ERA: 2.95

IP: 253.0

SO: 248

WHIP: 1.19

SV/SVO: 150/150

John Wetteland pitched 12 years in MLB.  He started his career as a part-time starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  In 1991, Wetteland moved to the bullpen and remained a relief pitcher for the remainder of his career.

Wetteland compiled a 48-45 record and was a perfect 330/330 in saves opportunities during his MLB career.  In 765.0 innings, Wetteland had 804 SO and a 2.93 ERA.

In 1998 and 1999, Wetteland represented the Rangers at the All-Star game.

Wetteland makes my Top 10 Greatest Rangers Pitchers because he is 1st all-time in SV, and 1st in SVO.

During his MLB career, according to baseball-reference.com, Wetteland earned just over $33.5M.  His highest salary when he was a member of the Rangers was $6.5M in 2000.

In 2005, John Wetteland was enshrined in the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.

Greatest Texas Rangers pitchers: #6- Jeff Russell

Years: 10 (1985-1992, 1995-1996)

G/GS/CG: 445/39/5

W-L: 42-40

ERA: 3.73

IP: 752.2

SO: 474

WHIP: 1.37

SV/SVO: 134/134

Jeff Russell pitched 14 years in MLB.  He started his career as a starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.  In 1986, Russell moved to the Rangers bullpen and remained a relief pitcher for most of the remainder of his career.

Russell compiled a 56-73 record and was a perfect 186/186 in save opportunities during his MLB career.  In 1,099.2 innings, Russell had 693 SO and a 3.75 ERA.

In 1988 and 1989, Russell represented the Rangers at the All-Star game.  In 1989, Rusell was also won the AL Rolaids Relief Man Award and was the AL saves leader with 38.

Russell makes my Top 10 Greatest Rangers Pitchers because he is 2nd all-time in GP, 2nd in SV, and 2nd in SVO.

During his MLB career, according to baseball-reference.com, Russell earned just over $13M.  His highest salary when he was a member of the Rangers was $2.6M in 1992.

In 2015, Jeff Russell was enshrined in the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.

Greatest Texas Rangers Pitchers: #8- Kevin Brown

Years: 8 (1986-1994)

G/GS/CG: 122/122/2

W-L: 78/64

ERA: 3.81

IP: 1,278.2

SO: 742

WHIP: 1.37

Kevin Brown pitched 19 years in the MLB.  He started his career as a starting pitcher in the Texas rotation and remained in the rotation for six full seasons.

Brown compiled a 211-144 record during his MLB career.  In 3,256.1 innings, Brown had 2,397 SO and a 3.28 ERA.

Brown makes my Top 10 Greatest Rangers Pitchers because he is 5th all-time in W, 6th in GS, 4th in CG, 5th in IP, and 9th in SO.

During his MLB career, according to baseball-reference.com, Brown earned just over $130M.  His highest salary when he was a member of the Rangers was $4.225M in 1994.

According to Boys’ Baseball Overview, Brown is currently an assistant baseball coach at Tattnall Square Academy in Macon, GA.

#9- C.J. Wilson

Years: 7 (2005-2011)

G/GS/CG: 325/73/6

W-L: 43/35

ERA: 3.60

IP: 708.0

SO: 637

WHIP: 1.29

SV/SVO: 52/63

C.J. Wilson pitched 11 years in the MLB.  The first five years with Texas he was a reliever, then moved to the starting rotation for the final six years of his career.

Wilson compiled a 94-70 record during his MLB career.  In 1,430.1 innings, Wilson also has 1,259 SO, a 3.74 ERA, and was 52/63 in save opportunities.  Wilson also represented Texas in the 2011 All-Star game and appeared in the All-Star game again in 2012, as a member of the Los Angeles Angels.

The Texas Rangers have made two World Series appearances (2010 and 2011), and Wilson made three starts and appeared in four games during these oennant runs.  Although he failed to win any games, Wilson pitched a combined 18.1 innings, gave up only 11 hits, and had a 2.95 ERA with 13 SO.

Wilson makes my Top 10 Greatest Rangers pitchers because he is 5th all-time in GP, 9th in SV, 7th in SVO, and 7th in AVG.

During his MLB career, according to baseball-reference.com, Wilson earned just over $88.0M.  His highest salary when he was a member of the Rangers was $7.0M in 2011.

According to The Throttle Dogs, Wilson is currently a co-host of the Throttle Dogs’ podcast.

#10- Bobby Witt

Years: 11 (1986-1992, 1995-1998)

G/GS/CG: 276/269/33

W-L: 104/104

ERA: 4.85

IP: 1,680.2

SO: 1,405

WHIP: 1.58

Bobby Witt pitched 16 years in the MLB.  He started his career as a starting pitcher in Texas after helping the United States to a silver medal in the 1984 Olympic Games.  Witt was a part of the Rangers starting rotation for parts of seven years.  At 31, Witt returned to the Rangers, and pitched parts of four more years.

Witt compiled a 142-157 record during his MLB career.  In 2,465.0 innings, Witt had 1,955 SO and a 4.83 ERA.  His high ERA can be attributed to his high BB numbers as he led the league in three of his first fours seasons in Texas.

Witt makes my Top 10 Greatest Rangers pitchers because he is 2nd all-time in SO, 3rd in Wins, 2nd in GS, 6th in CG, and 3rd in IP.

During his MLB career, according to baseball-reference.com, Witt earned just over $21.6M.  His highest salary when he was a member of the Rangers was $3.25M in 1998.

Since 2015, Witt has been a player agent and his son is currently the #1 prospect in the Kansas City Royals organization.