The 10 Greatest Home Run Hitters in Texas Rangers History

For many years, the Texas Rangers were known to have power bats throughout the lineup.  Since the inception of the Rangers organization in 1961 (as the Washington Senators), the organization has boasted some of the game’s greatest home run hitters.

Here is a look at the greatest home run hitters in Texas Rangers history. (Stats found on mlb.com/rangers/stats/all-time-totals and baseball-reference.com).

Greatest home run hitters in Texas Rangers history

#1- Juan Gonzalez

Years: 13 (1989-1999, 2002-2003)

GP: 1,400

HR: 372

Juan Gonzalez is the greatest HR hitter in Texas Rangers history.  Gonzalez played 17 seasons in the majors with four different organizations.  He did most of his damage while he was a member of Texas.

In 1,689 career games, Gonzalez hit 434 HR (48th all-time in MLB) and collected 1,404 RBI.  In 1992 and 1993, Gonzalez led MLB in HR with 43 and 46 respectively. In 1998, Gonzalez had 157 RBI including  an incredible 100 at the All-Star break in July.

On five occasions, Gonzalez hit 40 or more HR, and seven times he hit 30 or more HR.

Gonzalez played in three All-Star games (1993, 1998, 2001), won two AL MVP Awards (1996, 1998), six Silver Slugger Awards (1992, 1993, 1996-1998, 2001), won the 1993 Home Run Derby at the All-Star game, and was in the top 10 in AL batting average three times (1998 .318, 1999 .326, 2001 .325).

According to baseball-reference.com, Gonzalez earned more than $87M for his career including $13M in 2003 when he was a member of the Rangers.

In 2015, Juan Gonzalez was enshrined into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.

#2- Rafael Palmeiro

Years: 10 (1989-1993, 1999-2003)

GP: 1,573

HR: 321

Rafael Palmeiro had one of the most perfect swings in baseball.  Palmiero played 20 seasons in the majors with three different organizations.  Palmiero hit for average and power as evidenced by his league leading singles in 1990 (136) and doubles in 1991 (49).

In 2,831 career games, Palmeiro hit 569 HR (13th all-time in MLB) and collected 1,835 RBI (18th all-time in MLB).  Palmeiro also collected 3,020 career hits, good for 29th all-time in MLB history.  During 10 MLB seasons, Palmeiro hit more than 30 HR, and four times he hit more than 40, including in 2001 when hit a career high 47.

Palmeiro played in four All-Star games (1988, 1991, 1998, 1999), won the Major League Player of the Year (1999), the Edgar Martinez Award (1999), three Gold Glove Awards (1997, 1998, 1999), two Silver Slugger Awards (1998, 1999), competed in the Home Run Derby twice (1998, 2004), was in the top 10 in NL batting average once (1988 .307), was in the top 10 in AL batting average four times (1990 .319, 1991 .322, 1994 .319, 1999 .324), and one time led the AL in runs scored with 124 (1993).

According to baseball-reference.com, Palmeiro earned more than $89M for his career including $9M in 2001 and 2003 when he was a member of the Rangers.

#3- Frank Howard

Years: 8 (1965-1972)

GP: 1,172

HR: 246

Frank Howard started his MLB career in 1957 playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  After seven seasons, Howard was traded to the Washington Senators who became the Texas Rangers in 1972. Howard played 16 MLB seasons for three different organizations.  The 6’7″ Howard was powerful while  playing the OF but, switched to playing primarily 1B towards the end of his career.

In 1,895 career games, Howard hit 382 HR and 1,119 RBI.  For three consecutive seasons playing in Washington, Howard hit more than 40 HR, leading the AL in 1966 with 44 and 1970 with 44.  Interesting enough, Howard’s career best year of 48 HR, he did not lead the AL.

Howard made four All-Star appearances (1968-1971), was the AL RBI leader in 1970 (126), AL BB leader in 1970 (132), and in 2016 was enshrined into the Washington Nationals Ring of Honor.

According to baseball-reference.com, Howard earned less than $1M for his MLB career.  His highest salary was the $125,000 he earned in 1970 at the age of 33 while playing for the Senators.

#4- Ivan Rodriguez

Years: 13 (1991-2002, 2009)

GP: 1,507

HR: 217

Ivan Rodriguez was an all-round fantastic player.  Rodriguez started playing for Texas when he was just 19 years old.  The best catcher in Rangers history could hit for power and get on base and many nights was the cog that made the Rangers run.

In 2,543 career games covering 21 MLB seasons, Rodriguez hit 311 HR and collected 1,332 RBI.  In 1999, Rodriguez hit a career best 35 HR and drove in 113 runs.  He also had 2,844 hits in his career, good for 50th all-time in MLB history.

Rodriguez played in 14 All-Star games, was AL MVP in 1999, won 13 Gold Glove Awards, 7 Silver Slugger Awards, had his Texas Rangers #7 retired, competed in the Home Run Derby on two occasions, and in 2013 was enshrined in the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.

According to baseball-reference.com, Rodriguez earned more than $122M for his career including $9.6M in 2002 when he was a member of the Rangers.

In 2017, Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame with 76.0% of the vote on the first ballot.

#5- Adrian Beltre

Years: 8 (2011-2018)

GP: 1,098

HR: 199

Adrian Beltre was the greatest third baseman to ever play for the Texas Rangers and quite possibly the greatest 3B of all-time.  Beltre started playing in MLB when he was just 19 years old.  In 2011, Beltre signed to play 3B for the Rangers.

In 2,933 career games covering 21 MLB seasons, Beltre hit 477 HR (31st all-time) and collected 1,707 RBI (25th all-time).  He also had 3,166 hits in his career, good for 17th all-time in MLB history.

On five occasions, Beltre hit 30 or more HR and 100 RBI in a season.

Beltre played in four All-Star games (2010-2012, 2014), won five Gold Glove Awards (2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2016), won four Silver Slugger Awards (2004, 2010, 2011, 2014), in 2019 had his Texas Rangers #29 retired, and in 2021 Beltre was enshrined into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.

According to baseball-reference.com, Beltre earned more than $219M for his career including $18M in each of his final three years when he was a member of the Rangers.

There is no doubt that in 2024, when Beltre is first eligible, he will be a first ballot Hall of Famer.

#6- Ruben Sierra

Years: 10 (1986-1992, 2000-2001, 2003)

GP: 1,190

HR: 180

Ruben Sierra started playing for the Rangers at the age of 20.  During his 20 year career, Sierra played for the Rangers on three occasions.

In 2,186 games, Sierra hit 306 HR and added 1,322 RBI.  Sierra had a personal best 30 HR in 1987 when he was only 21 years old.  During five additional seasons, the switch-hitting Sierra hit 20 or more HR.

Sierra played in four All-Star games (1989, 1991, 1992, 1994), won the Silver Slugger Award in 1989, led the AL in triples and RBI in 1989 ( 14 and 119 respectively), competed in the Home Run Derby on two occasions, winning the Derby in 1989, and in 2009, Sierra was enshrined into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.

According to baseball-reference.com, Beltre was in the top 10 in MLB salaries on four occasions, and earned more than $43M for his career including $5M in 1992 when he was a member of the Rangers.

#7- Michael Young

Years: 13 (2000-2012)

GP: 1,823

HR: 177

Michael Young played the most games in Texas Rangers history.  Young played all but one season in MLB for the Rangers.  Young played multiple infield positions and was excellent at 3B, SS, and 2B.

In 1,970 career games covering 14 MLB seasons, Young hit 185 HR and added 1,030 RBI.  He also collected 2,375 hits including 441 doubles and 60 triples.

Four times, Young hit 20 or more HR including a career high 24 in 2005.

Young was a seven time All-Star (2004-2009, 2011), won the Gold Glove in 2008, was the AL batting champion in 2005 (.331), led the AL in hits in 2005 (221) and 2011 (213), in 2019 had his Texas Rangers #10 retired, and in 2016 Young was enshrined into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.

According to baseball-reference.com, Young earned almost $91M for his career including $16.174M in 2011 when he was a member of the Rangers.

#8 Nelson Cruz

Years: 8 (2006-2013)

GP: 796

HR: 157

Nelson Cruz just completed his 17th season in MLB.  At 40, Cruz looks like he still has some gas left in the tank as he hit 32 HR in 2021.

For his career, Cruz has hit 449 HR and 1,238 RBI to go along with a .277 BA.  Cruz has hit 40 or more HR on four occasions and 30 more more HR four additional times.

Cruz has quite a resume and it’s not over.  Cruz has made seven All-Star appearances, participated in the 2009 Home Run Derby, was named to the All-MLB First Team in 2019 and the Second Team in 2020, was the ALCS MVP in 2011, has won four Silver Slugger Awards (2015, 2017, 2019, 2020), won the Roberto Clement Award in 2021, won the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award in 2020, was the AL HR leader (40) in 2014, was the AL RBI leader (119) in 2017, is a two-time winner of the Edgar Martinez Award (2017, 2019), and was named to the All-World Baseball Classic Team in 2013.

According to baseball-reference.com, Cruz has earned more than $124M for his career including $10.5M in 2013 when he was a member of the Rangers.  Cruz is currently a free agent.

#9- Alex Rodriguez

Years: 3 (2001-2003)

GP: 485

HR: 156

In 2001, Alex Rodriguez signed a 10-year/$252M contract to play with Texas.  At the time, it was a very controversial contract because it was by far the biggest contract in MLB history.  Even though Rodriguez only played three years of his contract in Texas, he remains the best hitting SS in Rangers history.

In 2,784 games covering 22 seasons, Rodriguez hit 696 HR (4th in MLB history) and added 2,086 RBI (4th in MLB history).  Rodriguez led the AL in HR five times, including a personal best 57 HR in 2002, when he was a member of the Rangers.  Rodriguez hit 50 or more HR three times, 40 or more HR on eight occasions, and 30 or more HR during 14 seasons.

Rodriguez played in 14 All-Star games, was the AL MVP in 2003, 2005, and 2007, won two Gold Glove Awards (2003, 2005), was a 10-time winner of the Silver Slugger Award, four-time winner of the AL Hank Aaron Award, was AL batting champion (.358) in 1996, was the AL leader in RBI in 2002 (142) and 2007 (156), and competed in the Home Run Derby on three occasions.

In 2007, Rodriguez became the youngest player (32 years, 8 days) in MLB history to reach 500 HR for his career.

According to baseball-reference.com, Rodriguez was #1 in MLB salary for 13 years.  Rodriguez earned in excess of $441M during his career including $22M during each of his three years in Texas.  To this day, Rodriguez has earned more money playing baseball than any other player in history.

Greatest home run hitters in Texas Rangers history: Honorable Mention

Dean Palmer played 774 games over eight years with the Rangers.  Staring in 1989, Palmer primarily played 3B for Texas.  Palmer hit 154 HR, including a career best 38 in 1996, while playing in a Rangers uniform.  During his 14 year career, Palmer slugged 275 HR.

Mark Teixeira played 693 games over parts of five seasons with the Rangers.  Starting in 2003, Teixeira primarily played 1B for Texas.  Teixeira hit 153 HR, including a career best 43 in 2005, while playing for the Rangers.  During his 14 year career, Teixeira slugged 409 HR.

Josh Hamilton played 697 games over parts of six seasons with the Rangers.  Starting in 2008, Hamilton primarily played CF for Texas.  Hamilton hit 150 HR, including a career best 43 in 2012, while playing for the Rangers.  During his 9 year career, Hamilton slugged 200 HR.

Joey Gallo is currently a member of the New York Yankees.  Gallo played 568 games over parts of seven seasons in Arlington.  Starting in 2015, Gallo primarily played RF for Texas. Gallo hit 145 HR while playing for the Rangers, including a career best 41 in 2017.  So far, Gallo has hit 158 career HR.

Pete Incaviglia played 694 games over parts of five seasons with the Rangers.  Starting in 1986, Incaviglia primarily played LF for Texas.  Incaviglia hit 124 HR, including 30 as a rookie (a Rangers rookie record that was broken by Adolis Garcia in 2021), while playing in a Rangers uniform.  During his 12 year career, Incaviglia slugged 206 HR.