Rangers Mt. Rushmore: Best Third Baseman
By Jared Sandler | @sandlerJ
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.
Week 1 — Texas-Born Players
Week 2 — Best First-Round Picks
Week 3 — Best Rookie Years
Week 4 — Drafted In 30th Round Or Later
Week 5 – Best Catchers
Week 6 - Best 1st Baseman
Here is the Mt. Rushmore of Rangers third baseman:
Buddy Bell: A member of the Rangers Hall of Fame, Bell won six straight Gold Gloves with Texas and was a four-time All Star. During his Rangers career, Bell hit .295 in 924 games, including a 1980 campaign in which he hit .329. No one has played more games at the hot corner for the Rangers than Bell, who is considered among the best defensive third baseman ever.
Adrian Beltre: Already fourth on the franchise's all-time games played list at third base, Beltre helped take the Rangers to the 2011 World Series. He's already vaulted into one of the more beloved Rangers in franchise history from those in the organization and fans alike. Beltre's average completed season with the Rangers: .315/.364/.530 with 29 HR and 94 RBI.
Dean Palmer: No third baseman in Rangers history has more HR (146) than Palmer, who, despite hitting just .248 as a third baseman for Texas, slugged .472. While the first two candidates were no brainers, Palmer was in a group of three for two spots, and where he separated himself was with his defense compared to the other two. But it is worth noting that Palmer's best offensive season with the Rangers was in 1996 when he blasted 38 HR and drove in 107 runs while hitting .280.
Hank Blalock: Since I am only considering a player's production and contributions as a player, Blalock gets the nod over current bench coach, Steve Buechele. While "Boo" is better than him defensively, Blalock wasn't horrible at the hot corner, and he provided the team with much more offensive pop. Over a four-year stretch from 2003-2006, Blalock hit .275, averaging 25 HR/95 RBI. He's second in franchise history in HR as a third baseman (112) and, c'mon, how great were Hank's Homies!?!?!
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