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Making a case for former Texas Rangers on the 2022 HOF ballot

By Tyler Henderson

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 9: First baseman Mark Teixeira #23 of the Texas Rangers runs to first during the game against the Anaheim Angels at the Ballpark in Arlington on April 9, 2004 in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won 12-4. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 9: First baseman Mark Teixeira #23 of the Texas Rangers runs to first during the game against the Anaheim Angels at the Ballpark in Arlington on April 9, 2004 in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won 12-4. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 9: A.J. Pierzynski #12 of the Texas Rangers hits against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on April 9, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 9: A.J. Pierzynski #12 of the Texas Rangers hits against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on April 9, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images) /

A.J. Pierzynski- Texas Rangers, 2013

The last player on this list is former big league catcher, A.J. Pierzynski. The 2x All-Star, Silver Slugger and 2005 World Series Champion spent parts of 19 years in the big leagues before making his way to the broadcast booth.

Pierzynski became known as a great teammate, but a fierce competitor, hated by anyone on the opposing team.

Pierzynski spent one season in Arlington, getting paired with Geovany Soto as the Rangers catching tandem. The left-handed hitting Pierzynski hit .272 over 134 games for Texas, hitting 17 homers and driving in 70.

However, over his 19 seasons, he hit .280/.319/.420/.739 and finished his career with 188 homers, 909 RBI and over 2,000 hits.

While Pierzynski was one of the most fun players to watch in his prime, his numbers don’t reflect that of a Hall of Famer. While it is quite an honor to be on the ballot, I don’t see Pierzynski getting the needed 5% to stay on following the 2022 season.

Final Thoughts

No doubt all of these guys had incredible big league careers, spanning decades, All-Star appearances galore, MVP’s and more. Some could even be considered the best at their position during their careers.

However, many are shadowed by assault allegations and the ever-haunting PED usage. While we as fans will never know if they used or not, we can only assume the worst based around previous users, as well as tests brought to light by the league.

Players like A-Rod, Sammy Sosa, Andruw Jones and Omar Vizquel are all deserving of Hall of Fame consideration, however time ticks away faster and faster for those guys and their previous allegations.

But in my opinion, only one player gets in on this list of former Texas Rangers and that’s Mark Teixeira. We’ll see how well he fairs after his first year.

Are there more former Rangers that realistically get in on this list? Should the alleged PED users, like Sosa and A-Rod, get considered?

Next. 10 unbreakable Rangers records. dark

Let us know what you think. Find us on Twitter @NolanWritinFS and @PTylerHenderson.

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