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

By Seth Carlson

Aug 14, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Former Texas Rangers Adrian Beltre (L) and Ivan Rodriguez (R) walk off the field after the Hall of Fame induction ceremony before the game against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Former Texas Rangers Adrian Beltre (L) and Ivan Rodriguez (R) walk off the field after the Hall of Fame induction ceremony before the game against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 29, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Former Texas Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriguez waves to the crowd after the game between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees in the final home game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Former Texas Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriguez waves to the crowd after the game between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees in the final home game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

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.”

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