Building the all-time Texas Rangers roster using only their time in a Rangers uniform.
Starting Lineup:
C: Ivan Rodriguez (1991-2002)
- .304/.341/.488 as a Ranger. 13x All-Star (total career). 215 HR as a Ranger.
- The greatest catcher in franchise history and one of the best in MLB history. His arm and his bat were both elite. Source: Baseball Reference.
1B: Rafael Palmeiro (1989-1993, 1999-2003)
- .290/.371/.515 as a Ranger. 321 HR in his Rangers career.
- Controversial legacy due to PED suspension, but the production was undeniable.
2B: Marcus Semien (2022-present)
- Modern pick. Semien has been a model of consistency: .260/.330/.440 with elite defense.
- His 2023 championship ring solidifies his place.
SS: Alex Rodriguez (2001-2003)
- .305/.395/.615 in 3 Rangers seasons. 156 HR in 3 years.
- The most talented player to ever wear a Rangers uniform. Also the most controversial.
3B: Adrian Beltre (2011-2018)
- .304/.358/.509 as a Ranger. Hit his 3,000th career hit in a Rangers uniform.
- 4x All-Star as a Ranger. Hall of Famer. Source: Baseball Reference.
LF: Juan Gonzalez (1989-1999, 2002-2003)
- 2x AL MVP (1996, 1998). .290/.335/.540 career as a Ranger.
- Juan Gone was the face of the franchise in the 1990s.
CF: Josh Hamilton (2008-2012, 2015)
- 2010 AL MVP. .305/.363/.549 in his peak Rangers years.
- The most electric individual peak in Rangers history.
RF: Nolan Ryan (1989-1993)
- Yes, Ryan as RF is wrong positionally. But he belongs on this roster.
- Threw his 6th and 7th career no-hitters as a Ranger. Still throwing 98 MPH at age 46.
Starting Rotation:
- Nolan Ryan — 51-39, 3.43 ERA, 2 no-hitters as a Ranger
- Charlie Hough — 139-123, the franchise's all-time wins leader before the modern era
- Kenny Rogers — 133 wins as a Ranger, pitched the franchise's first perfect game (1994)
- Yu Darvish — 3.42 ERA, 1,065 strikeouts in 778 innings. Dominant when healthy.
- Corey Seager — too soon but trending toward this list
Sources:
- Baseball Reference — career stats for all players
- Texas Rangers official records
Adrian Beltre is the most beloved Ranger of all time and it is not close. The 3,000 hit moment, the head touches with Elvis, the whole aura. A Hall of Famer who gave this franchise its soul.