Who is the ‘GOAT’ in Texas Rangers franchise history?

Nolan Ryan

The Ryan Express made his final stop in Arlington with the Texas Rangers between 1989-1993.

Though Nolan Ryan’s stint with the team was short, his impact was large, as the Hall of Fame right-hander tossed two no-hitters with the Rangers and led the league in strikeouts in 1989 and 1990, while making the All-Star team in that 1989 season.

In total, Ryan’s five years in Texas led to a 3.43 ERA and 2.91 FIP, good for a solidly above average 116 ERA+ and a hefty 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

The impact wouldn’t be limited to the diamond, however, as he would be an instrumental member of the Rangers’ front office during their two World Series runs in 2010 and 2011.

Ryan, like Beltre, also has his number (34) up in the rafters of Globe Life Field, and was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame, as well as the National Baseball Hall of Fame for his career excellence.

There was never a shortage of memorable moments for Ryan in Arlington, from those aforementioned World Series appearances to the bloody nose game, to the fight with Robin Ventura, and those two no-nos. Nolan is a Texan through and through and was one of the greatest players in baseball history, let alone just Texas Rangers history.

Ivan Rodriguez

The man known as “Pudge” had a long and successful MLB career as one of the greatest catchers ever, but Ivan Rodriguez’ tenure with the Texas Rangers was what helped set him apart.

Spending 13 years in Arlington, Pudge put up prolific numbers with the bat (.828 OPS and a .304 batting average) but also behind the plate, with 10 consecutive Gold Gloves between 1991 and 2001. 10 consecutive! That’s elite level consistency.

He also made the All-Star team all 10 of those years, and why not add six Silver Sluggers to that mix as well? Oh, AND he won MVP in 1999.

Pudge would never come close to replicating his Rangers longevity and success anywhere else and his incredible run in Texas also earned him a number in the rafters (No. 7) and induction into both the team and National Baseball Hall of Fames.

Few catchers in MLB history did what Pudge did, and he helped lead the Rangers to their first ever playoff appearances in 1996, 1998 and 1999. His impact in Texas was clearly felt, and he’s got as strong a case as the others on this list to be the franchise’s “GOAT.”

Pitting three absolute baseball legends against each other is a tough exercise, because all of them had immeasurable impacts on the Texas Rangers during their careers.

Of the three, only Pudge was homegrown, as Ryan and Beltre both arrived via free agency. That doesn’t go into the decision making here, but it’s an interesting tidbit nonetheless.

Ryan and Beltre both helped the Rangers get to a World Series (two in Ryan’s case), while Pudge was part of the franchise’s first ever playoff team and teams. Both of those accolades are incredibly significant. You can see why GOAT debates are had in the first place.

At the end of the day, though…

Nolan Ryan is the GOAT in Texas Rangers franchise history

We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to name Nolan Ryan the Texas Rangers’ GOAT. He’s the namesake of this site, sure, but Ryan’s presence in the organization was felt both on and off the field (in the front office), something which Pudge and Beltre do not have on their resumes.

Ryan was also the franchise’s first ever “big ticket” acquisition as a free agent, and helped changed the culture around Texas Rangers baseball, something which Pudge and Beltre were able to benefit from during their respective tenures in Arlington.

Interestingly, Ryan has the shortest tenure of the three (as a player), but again, coupled with the front office work, the whole package gave him an edge over Pudge and Beltre, both of whom had stout cases in this debate as well.

Honorable mention: Michael Young