105.3 The Fan Facebook Followers Select Texas Rangers Ultimate Lineup
The Texas Rangers are back in the postseason facing the Toronto Blue Jays in a virulent rematch from a year ago. Last October, emotions boiled over as things got out-of-hand in Game 5 of the American League Division Series as the Blue Jays went on to win the series.
This year we decided to take to Facebook and have our fans not only poll on who would win the series (Rangers of course) but to vote and create a Texas Rangers ultimate lineup.
How many World Series titles would this team win?
1. NOLAN RYAN, RHP (1989-1993)
Ryan was the clear favorite with 83 percent of the votes while the second best (Kenny Rogers) was just short of 10 percent. When most think of Nolan you either think of his two no-hitters (out of his career seven) he threw with the Rangers or his iconic punch on Robin Ventura when he rushed the mound. In his first season with the Rangers, Ryan was selected to the All-Star game (six-time All-Star) and his first two season with the club he led the league in strikeouts. His number was retired in Texas in 1996 and he was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
2. IVAN "PUDGE" RODRIGUEZ, C (1991-02, 2009)
We didn't need to put up a poll for this one but we couldn't skip it. As you would assume, it came as no surprise when Pudge took 93 percent of the votes. I like to think that the other seven percent is just a reflection of his uniform number. The 14-time All-Star (10 with Texas) batted .304 with the Rangers, hitting 217 home runs and 842 RBIs. Don't be surprised when the 13-time Gold Glove winner is a first ballot Hall of Famer in 2017.
3. RAFAEL PALMEIRO, 1B (1989-93, 1999-03)
Palmeiro was the favorite with 64 percent of the votes with Will Clark coming in at second with 21 percent. The two-time All-Star for Texas batted .290 with 321 home runs. He had 1,692 hits while accumulating 1,039 RBIs.
4. IAN KINSLER, 2B (2006-2013)
Kinsler barely slid into second base with 37 percent of the votes with Mark McLemore hot on his tail with 26 percent. Kinsler was named Rookie of the Year in 2006 behind a batting average of .286 with 14 home runs. He had a batting average of .273 with the Rangers and was selected to three All-Star games while playing in the Lone Star State.
5. ADRIAN BELTRE, 3B (2011-Present)
Beltre is in his sixth season with the Texas Rangers and his 19 season in the Majors. According to the fans, there is no one better for third base as he took 92 percent of the votes. His batting average for the rangers (.308) is better than any team he has played for (longer than one season). The 37-year-old has continued to be the backbone for a young Rangers team. The four-time All-Star is playing better this year than most players do in their prime. No matter what happens the rest of his career, he will forever be a Texas Ranger.
6. MICHAEL YOUNG, SS (2000-2012)
It was surprising to see Young only receive 65 percent of the votes as Elvis Andrus piled up 22 percent. The seven-time All-Star had an incredible 13 seasons with the Rangers batting .301 with 984 RBIs. Young was elected to the Rangers Hall of Fame in July of 2016 and is a great candidate to one day find his way into Cooperstown.
7. RUSTY GREER, LF (1994-2002)
Greer was the strong favorite earning 65 percent of the votes, Josh Hamilton followed with 30 percent. You aren't going to find Greer's named at the top of any record books — it was his athletic style that fans loved. He was one player that you knew was going to go out and give everything he had and put his body on the line. The most memorable moment was when he made a diving catch in the ninth inning that kept and later helped, Kenny Rogers throw the only perfect game in Rangers history.
8. JOSH HAMILTON, CF (2008-12, 2015)
Hamilton dominated the voting for center field with 74 percent of the votes while the new guy, Ian Desmond, snatched 18 percent. If you didn't know, Six Flags Over Texas is located next to Globe Life Park but Josh Hamilton gave Ranger fans the biggest roller coaster of emotions during his time in Texas. Even with 607 strikeouts with the club, Hamilton batted .302 with 150 home runs. In 2010 he was named the AL and ALCS MVP batting (.350). After his first season with the Los Angeles Angels, injuries have continued to plaque Hamilton.
9. JUAN GONZALEZ, RF (1989-99, 2002-03)
Gonzales was the clear cut right fielder from the beginning bringing in 68 percent of the votes easily topping the 17 percent Nelson Cruz tallied. The three-time All-Star and two-time AL MVP batted .293 in his Rangers career and totaled 1,180 RBIs. In 1992 and '93, Gonzales led the league in home runs and went on to win the Home Run Derby in 1993.
Questions or comments? Feel free to follow Trevor on Twitter or send him an email.
