This is the last Mt. Rushmore post. This has been a challenging
experience but one well worth the time spent. It really makes you go back and
compare some of the greatest players of all time from different eras. There
were a few “no brainers” but after those it really could go in many directions.
Anyone who creates a list like this has certain biases that play into it.
Picking a list for your favorite team is tougher than one you don’t follow.
Even though you may not know other team’s players as well, it is easier to
choose without an emotional attachment. Perhaps we can extend this idea to
other sports or put some restrictions in place and redo some of these lists.
Either way I hope you have enjoyed reading our posts and agreeing or
disagreeing with them. “PLAY BALL!”
Rangers
Michael Young gets listed first not because of his stats,
but because of his commitment to the team. He was moved around to different
positions so the Rangers could bring in other talent. His selflessness is why
he is listed first.
Rangers
Michael
Young, Nolan Ryan, Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez
Michael Young
It's harder to quantify why Michael Young belongs on this
list than it is for the other guys.
Young has been the leader in Texas for a decade, but until
there were other pieces around him, the Rangers couldn’t get into the
playoffs. That doesn't change the fact Young has hit .300 or better in seven of
his 11 full MLB seasons—all
of which have been with Texas. There was also a period where he and Ichiro
Suzuki were always battling it out to be the AL hits leader every season. Suzuki
won all but two of those titles. Young has been a perennial All-Star, making it
to six consecutive games from 2004-2009. What matters more than his stats
is the leadership he has provided in Texas over the years. Not many players
would take too kindly to being moved around in infield as much as Young
has. Michael Young is now the veteran leader of the best team in the
American League two seasons running. That speaks to his credibility for being
on this list more than the 200-hit seasons ever could.
Nolan Ryan
Career highlights and awards
8× All-Star (1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1989)
World Series champion (1969)
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim #30 retired
Houston Astros #34 retired
Texas Rangers #34 retired
Texas Rangers Hall of Fame
Major League Baseball All-Century Team
MLB Records
5,714 career strikeouts
7 career no-hitters
Member of the National
Baseball Hall of
Fame
Induction 1999
Vote 98.79% (first ballot)
Ivan
Rodriguez
Rodriguez entered the league in 1991 as a defensive catcher
who had some work to do on offense. Over the next few years, Pudge must
have worked on it because he hit over .300 for eight consecutive seasons
beginning in 1995. Pudge is in the only other catcher whom people will
mention in the same paragraph as Johnny Bench. Rodriguez won 13 Gold Glove
awards, including 10 in a row with the Rangers from 1992 to 2001, and remains
one of the only catchers who can claim to throw out Rickey Henderson twice in
one game. Pudge will be remembered for the great baseball play
yes, but will also be remembered for what he did for the Texas franchise in the
eyes of baseball. He led Texas to their first, second and third AL West titles
in 1996, 1998 and 1999.
Juan Gonzalez
Steroid speculation aside, Juan Gonzalez was one of the most
feared hitters in the American League throughout the 1990’s. Juan Gone also won
two MVP awards—the most by any Ranger in history. His feared bat helped lead
Texas to all three AL West championships in the late 1990’s. Gonzalez's thick,
intimidating mustache also had something to do with it I'm sure.
Gonzalez got a bad wrap for being a diva and a
whiner—especially after he moved on from the Rangers—but is the franchise
leader in home runs and RBI’s and one of the best players in Rangers' history.
Honorable Mention:
Rafael Palmeiro, Kenny Rogers, Alex Rodriguez, Josh Hamilton
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1153190-ranking-the-top-5-texas-rangers-of-all-time
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
Astros
Craig Biggio, Jeff
Bagwell, Jose Cruz, Roy Oswalt
Craig Biggio
Spent his entire
career with the Astros and played catcher, second base, and center field. Best
all-around player in Astros history.
Career highlights
and awards
7× All-Star (1991,
1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)
4× Gold Glove Award
winner (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997)
5× Silver Slugger
Award winner (1989, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998)
2007 Roberto
Clemente Award
2005 Hutch Award
1997 Branch Rickey
Award
Houston Astros #7
retired
Jeff Bagwell
Played entire career
with the Astros.
Career highlights
and awards
4× All-Star (1994,
1996, 1997, 1999)
Gold Glove Award
winner (1994)
3× Silver Slugger
Award winner (1994, 1997, 1999)
1994 NL MVP
1991 NL Rookie of
the Year
Houston Astros #5
retired
Jose Cruz
Career statistics
Batting average .284
Hits 2,251
Home runs 165
Runs batted in 1,077
Career highlights
and awards
2× All-Star
selection (1980, 1985)
2× Silver Slugger
Award winner (1983, 1984)
Houston Astros #25
retired
Roy Oswalt
Career highlights
and awards
3× All-Star
(2005–2007)
NLCS MVP (2005)
NL wins champion
(2004)
NL ERA champion
(2006)
Honorable Mention:
Nolan Ryan (already
on Rangers list, but considered putting him on here as well), JR Richard, Mike
Scott, Cesar Cedeno, Lance Berkman, Joe Niekro
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
