7 former Texas Rangers shut out of 2022 Hall of Fame voting

NEW YORK - CIRCA 2001: Alex Rodriguez #3 of the Texas Rangers is down and ready to make a play on the ball against the New York Yankees during an Major League Baseball game circa 2001 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Rodriguez played for the Rangers from 2001-03. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - CIRCA 2001: Alex Rodriguez #3 of the Texas Rangers is down and ready to make a play on the ball against the New York Yankees during an Major League Baseball game circa 2001 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Rodriguez played for the Rangers from 2001-03. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Seven former Texas Rangers players were shut out of the Hall of Fame voting that was announced on Tuesday.  Two of these players will remain on the ballot for next year.  Four didn’t receive enough votes (5%) to remain on the ballot.  One player, is now ineligible because it’s his 10th and final year on the ballot.

David Ortiz (77.9%) was the lone player receiving the minimum 75% required for HOF election.

Here is a look at each of the former Texas Rangers who received votes on the 2022 HOF ballot.

Former Texas Rangers who will remain on the 2023 Hall of Fame ballot

Alex Rodriguez (135 votes, 34.3%)

Alex Rodriguez has HOF numbers but, PED use ensured that A-Rod was not selected in 2022.  In 22 seasons in MLB, Rodriguez collected 3,115 hits, 696 HR, 2,086 RBI’s, 329 SB, and a .295 BA.  Rodriguez was a 14-time All-Star.  Rodriguez played for the Rangers for three All-Star seasons (2001-2003).  Rodriguez will remain on the HOF ballot next year.

Omar Vizquel (94 votes, 23.9%)

Omar Vizquel doesn’t have the power of most HOF inductees but, he did play in the MLB for 24 seasons.  Vizquel was a three-time All-Star.  Vizquel collected 2,877 hits, 80 HR, 951 RBI’s, 404 SB, and a .272 AVG.  Vizquel played for the Rangers for 62 games during the 2009 season.  Vizquel will remain on the HOF ballot next year.

10th and Final Year on the Ballot

Sammy Sosa (73 votes, 18.5%)

Sammy Sosa has the power to be in the HOF but, PED use ensured that Sosa would remain out of the HOF.  Sosa was a seven-time All-Star.  In 18 MLB seasons, Sosa collected 2,408 hits, 609 HR, 1,667 RBI’s, 234 SB, and a .273 BA.  Sosa played parts of two seasons with Texas.  Sosa started (1989) and finished (2007) his career with the Rangers.

Former Texas Rangers who did not receive the minimum 5% to remain on the ballot

Joe Nathan (17 votes, 4.3%)

Joe Nathan was a six-time All-Star and exceptional reliever.  In 16 MLB seasons, Nathan saved 377 games.  Apparently, that wasn’t enough to sway the voters to keep Nathan on the ballot.  Nathan pitched for the Rangers for two All-Star seasons (2012-2013).  Nathan will not remain on the HOF ballot in 2023.

Mark Teixeira (6 votes, 1.5%)

Mark Teixeira was a three-time All-Star who started his career with the Rangers.  He played five seasons (2003-2007) with the Rangers.  In 14 MLB seasons, Teixeira collected 1,862 hits, 409 HR, 1,298 RBI’s, and a .268 BA.  Teixeira will not remain on the HOF ballot in 2023.

Prince Fielder (2 votes, 0.5%)

Prince Fielder was a six-time All-Star who finished his career with the Rangers.  He played three years with Texas (2014-2016).  Fielder had to retire prematurely because of injury.  In 12 MLB seasons, Fielder collected 1,645 hits, 319 HR, 1,028 RBI’s, and a .283 BA.  Fielder will not remain on the HOF ballot in 2023.

Next. Statistical projections for the 2022 Rangers. dark

A.J. Pierzynski (2 votes, 0.5%)

A.J. Pierzynski was a two-time All-Star who played one season (2013) in Texas.  In 19 MLB seasons, Pierzynski collected 2,043 hits, 188 HR, 909 RBI’s, and a .280 BA.  Pierzynski will not remain on the HOF ballot in 2023.