After 50 years in Arlington, here’s the best Texas Rangers squad of all time
In 50 years the Texas Rangers have not quite won a World Series, but in that time they have had special teams and great players, so many that even Julio Franco would get cut.
Same for Will Clark.
But Nolan Ryan is still the Opening Day starting pitcher.
As the Rangers celebrate their 50th anniversary season in Arlington on Monday with their 2022 home opener at Globe Life Mall, we try to do the impossible — name their all-time starting lineup, rotation, closer, DH and manager.
For this task I sought the advice of three people who covered the Rangers since the Washington Senators moved to Arlington: Former Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist and local radio host, Randy Galloway; former Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Jim Reeves; retired Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket personality Mike Rhyner.
Qualifications are based on the players’ contributions with the Rangers, not the entire body of work of their respective careers.
1B: Rafael Palmeiro
He will never be in the Hall of Fame because of ‘roid allegations, but in his 10 years with the Rangers Palmeiro established himself as the best hitter to play this position. He hit 321 home runs with more than 1,000 RBI in his time with the club.
Hard cuts: Will Clark, Mark Teixeira
2B: Michael Young
He played shortstop and third base with the Rangers in his 13 seasons in Texas, but he was at his best at second base. He was the heart, and the adult, of the Rangers’ best teams.
Hard cuts: Julio Franco, Ian Kinsler
SS: Alex Rodriguez
He never wanted to be with the Rangers, despite the record 10-year, $252 million contract he signed in the winter of 2000, but he is second-most talented player in the history of the franchise.
He played three years with the Rangers before they moved his contract to the New York Yankees, and his numbers were near the top of the American League every season in Arlington. He won the AL MVP in 2003.
Hard cut: Elvis Andrus
3B: Adrian Beltre
He spent the final eight seasons of his 21-year career with the Rangers and became the face of the franchise. He hit 199 home runs with 699 RBI in his time with the Rangers, and had them one strike away from winning the World Series.
Hard cut: Buddy Bell
C: Ivan Rodriguez
The best player at this position in the history of the game. No other Rangers’ catcher is close to Pudge.
Hard cut: None
OF: Josh Hamilton
He played only six years in Texas, but he is the most talented player ever to play with the franchise. He was the power behind the Rangers’ teams that reached the World Series in 2010 and ‘11.
He won the AL MVP in 2010, and he gave the Rangers a lead in the top of the 10th inning of Game 6 of the 2011 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
OF: Juan Gonzalez
The power of the Rangers’ teams that won the AL West titles in 1996, ‘98 and ‘99. He won the American League MVP in ‘96 and ‘98.
OF: Jeff Burroughs
He was the best player on some bad Rangers teams after the club moved from Washington, D.C. He’s the biggest reason why the team enjoyed its first winning season in Arlington in 1974 when he was named the American League MVP.
Hard cuts: Rusty Greer, Ruben Sierra, Tom Grieve
DH: Nelson Cruz
His arrival to Texas in 2006 marked the beginning of the club’s most successful era. His bat provided countless memorable moments for the franchise. His glove, less so. (See Game 6 of the 2011 World Series.)
That the Rangers let him walk after 2013 in free agency remains GM Jon Daniels’ worst move.
Hard cut: Mike Napoli
P: Nolan Ryan
Between his time on the mound, and in the front office, the best years of the Texas Rangers all came with The Express. Although he signed with the Rangers at the age of 42, he pitched for five seasons and went 51-39 with a 3.43 ERA, and led the league in strikeouts twice.
P: Ferguson Jenkins
His best years were with the Cubs, but in his six seasons with the Rangers he was 93-72 with 3.56 ERA. In 1974, he was 25-12 with 29 complete games.
P: Charlie Hough
The knuckleballer could still pitch today, if needed. His career lasted 25 seasons in the big leagues, 11 with the Rangers. He pitched 2,308 innings with the Rangers, won 139 games and posted a 3.68 ERA.
P: Cole Hamels
Acquired in a trade from the Phillies in 2015, he had four consistent years with good Rangers teams. He was 38-21 with a 3.90 ERA in 88 starts with the club.
P: Yu Darvish
Never quite lived up to the advanced billing, but in his five years with the Rangers he was an All-Star caliber ace.
Hard cuts: Kenny Rogers, C.J. Wilson, Ken Hill, Rick Helling, Aaron Sele, Kevin Brown, Steve Comer, Dock Ellis, Cliff Lee
Closer: Neftali Feliz
Closers blow hot and cold, and when Feliz was on he was the best. In 2010 and ‘11, he saved a combined 72 games for the two best teams in franchise history. He was never the same after 2011 Game 6 World Series appearance.
Hard cuts: John Wetteland, Francisco Cordero, Jeff Russell
Manager: Ron Washington
Other than his personal exit from the club in September of 2014, this is not a debate. Wash’ was the best.
Hard cut: Johnny Oates
This story was originally published April 11, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
