Rangers Mt. Rushmore: Best First Round Picks
By Jared Sandler | @sandlerJ
105.3 The Fan - MLB.com created a cool "Mt. Rushmore" campaign that asks fans to identify the people who'd make up their favorite team's Mt. Rushmore. The results will be unveiled a part of the All-Star festivities in Cincinnati.
Going along with the theme, each week I'll introduce a new Rangers themed Mt. Rushmore prompt and unveil the four faces who best demonstrate that prompt. Feel free to play along yourself.
This Week - Best First-Round Picks
Mark Teixeira (2001, 5th Overall)
Teixeira was an instrumental part of some of baseball's best lineups in the early-to-mid-2000's with the Rangers.
In his four full seasons with the Rangers, "Tex" averaged 35 HR/113 RBI. Aside from his offensive production, Teixeira was also one of the game's premier defensive first baseman, winning two Gold Gloves. While he made it clear that a long-term future with the Rangers wasn't at the top of his priority list much to the dismay of fans, Teixeira did help the Rangers land an enormous trade package that helped catapult them from AL West doormat to favorite for a few years.
Jeff Burroughs (1969, 1st Overall)
He was drafted by the pre-Rangers incarnation, the Senators, but he really broke out in Arlington.
His 1974 campaign brought the franchise their first ever MVP winner when he hit .301, blasting 25 HR, and leading baseball with 118 RBI. Like Teixeira, Burroughs left the Rangers for the Braves for a collection of players, though the return was not nearly as impactful.
Colby Lewis (1999, 38th Overall*)
The righty has been on the mound for some of the franchise's biggest games, including their Game 6 win over the Yankees to clinch the Rangers' first ever pennant.
A leader in the clubhouse and gritty competitor, Lewis battled back from a hip injury that was supposed to be career-ending, further earning him the respect of this in the organization and around the league.
Rick Helling (1992, 22nd Overall)
Helling broke into the Majors with the Rangers before he was the eventual "Player to be named later" in a deal with the Marlins that also shipped Ryan Dempster to the "Fish" for John Burkett. Just under a year later in 1997, the Rangers reacquired him for Ed Vosberg, and the move would royally pay off.
Helling posted one of the franchise's best individual seasons when, in an AL West winning 1998 season, he anchored the stuff with a 20-7 record, which was the third and the most recent 20-win season for a Rangers pitcher.
*Compensation Round
READ MORE: Texas Rangers 'Mt. Rushmore'
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