Who is the best Texas Ranger ever?

Question

Okay- pitcher or hitter, only stats as a Ranger - not a Senator. Come on dudes make your case, and yes I will reward someone the best answer. Example- Robin Yount is best Brewer ever because of his stats as a Brewer, not Henry Aaron (best Brave ever)

Answer 1

I gotta say Ivan Rodriguez. He spent 11 years with the Rangers and was outstanding definsively with a cannon of an arm and he still put up great numbers at the plate.

Answer 2

Their Top 5 Pitchers (in no order):

Charlie Hough
Kenny Rogers
Nolan Ryan
Fergie Jenkins
Gaylord Perry

None of these guys dominate across all stat categories.

Perry has the lowest ERA
Ryan has the lowest WHIP
Hough has the most Wins
Rogers has the best Winning Percentage
Jenkins is the only one in the top 10 of all categories.

For Hitters, Rafael Palmeiro or Juan Gonzales are first or second in all categories except Batting Avg, where Gonzales is 9th, and Palmeiro is not in the Top 10.

I guess for pitchers I would take Jenkins, for hitters, Juan Gone (2 MVP's win out over Raffy's gold gloves).

Answer 3

Best pitcher is easy -- Nolan Ryan. Yes, he only pitched for five seasons, and the last one was sad, but this selection highlights both (a) how good Ryan was for those first four seasons and (b) how tragic the franchise's history is when it comes to quality pitching.

(Only three players in the Hall have ever played for the Rangers, and incredibly all three are pitchers -- Ryan, Jenkins, and Perry.)

The best non-pitcher would be Ivan Rodriguez, possibly the best catcher ever, certainly in the top five candidates for that distinction. Bunch of Gold Gloves, the 1999 AL MVP, darn good hitter, excellent at preventing the running game... Juan Gonzalez was a somewhat better hitter (especially for power; neither knows how to take a walk) but Pudge wins on the overall offense-and-defense approach.

The best player ever to wear the Rangers uni is Alex Rodriguez, but he stayed only three seasons. And Mark Texieira likely won't stay long enough to challenge IRod.

Answer 4

I would probably have to say Ivan Rodriquez followed very closely by Juan Gonzalez, Nolan Ryan, and Alex Rodriquez. And just to clarify your statement Kenry Aaron was the best statistical Milwakee Brave the best statisticl Atlanta Brave would either be Chipper Jones or Dale Murphy but I am thinking it was Dale Murphy

Answer 5

A-Rod only for one reason and that is because he has the possability of becoming the greatest all around player ever. Gold gloves, mvp's, stolen bases, slugging, batting average, and the chance at his age and his current pace to break the homerun record with the use of an drugs (we assume). Nolan Ryan - Great Pitcher, Ivan Rodriguez - Great catcher, Juan Gonzalez - few good years. But no one will beat A-Rod.

Answer 6

There have been a ton of great players to go through the Rangers organization, but I think you would have to go with Nolan Ryan. He had pretty amazing stats over his Rangers career and brought a lot of loyal fans to the Rangers.

Also, I would have to say that Johnny Oates and the entire 1996 Division Champs deserve recognition as they were the first Rangers team to ever make it to the playoffs. I was at the game where they clinched, and every one of those guys deserves the best!

Answer 7

Nolan Ryan. He put the team on the map. A-rod is a good player but not enough memorable moments as a ranger. Ivan Rodriguez is next. Then Juan Gonzalez.

Answer 8

Juan Gonzalez : 372 homers 1180 rbi's

You can't say Nolan Ryan b/c he only played like 5 seasons for Texas.

Answer 9

Nolan Ryan

Answer 10

Juan Gonzalez.