And the greatest Texas Ranger is ...

After four rounds of the Texas Rangers greatest player bracket, fans were truly split in the finale. It was a tight race from the start (and closest in the tournament) but after thousands of votes, catcher extraordinaire Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez narrowly defeated pitcher Nolan Ryan, 51-49%.

The number one seed to start the tournament, Rodriguez cruised through the early rounds be he had to go to extra innings to fend off the Ryan Express. Thanks to everyone for voting, and congratulations Pudge.

 

The championship

1. Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez (51%) defeats 2. Nolan Ryan (49%)

Final four results

1. Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez (88%) defeats 13. Rusty Greer (12%)

2. Nolan Ryan (67%) defeats 6. Michael Young (33%)

Great eight results

1. Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez (84%) defeats 8. Adrian Beltre (16%)

2. Nolan Ryan (87%) defeats 7. Jim Sundberg (13%)

6. Michael Young (75%) defeats 3. Juan Gonzalez (25%)

13. Rusty Greer (59%) defeats 5. Rafael Palmiero (41%)

Sweet sixteen results

1. Ivan ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez (96%) defeats 16. Ruben Sierra (4%)

2. Nolan Ryan (94%) defeats 15. Kenny Rogers (6%)

3. Juan Gonzalez (72%) defeats 14. Ferguson Jenkins (28%)

13. Rusty Greer (57%) defeats 4. Buddy Bell (43%)

5. Rafael Palmiero (64%) defeats 12. Josh Hamilton (36%)

6. Michael Young (86%) defeats 11. Charlie Hough (14%)

7. Jim Sundberg (72%) defeats 10. Ian Kinsler (28%)

8. Adrian Beltre (85%) defeats 9. Toby Harrah (15%)

This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 3:45 PM with the headline "And the greatest Texas Ranger is ...."