I went back and forth on who should be labeled as the best first baseman. Is it Will Clark? How about Mark Teixeria? Rafael Palmeiro? Someone even mentioned Chris Davis to me. This was a tough one to decide on.
Teixeria played with the Rangers from 2003 until he was traded to the Braves in 2007. As a Ranger, he never had 200 hits. Also, he never stole more than five bases. He had one season of a batting average over .300. Defensively he was very good.
Will Clark was with the Rangers from 1994-1998. Clark never had over 200 hits. He only played in more than 125 games in a season once. He was getting older as he had already had a long career with the Giants. When the Rangers first went to the Post season, Clark was the first baseman.
Davis was not with the Rangers for too long, and his batting average was low and his strikeout rate was off the charts. He was a local kid (Longview, TX), but I could not put him in the argument for best Ranger at first base.
After all the debate in my brain, with friends and on Facebook and Twitter, I have decided. Palmeiro played with the Rangers for two different stints. Once from 1989-1993, and again from 1999-2003. He was an MVP candidate for times while wearing a Rangers uniform. He was an all-star twice. Palmeiro’s batting average with the Rangers was .290, and he had over 100 RBI six times. Home runs was also something he was very proficient at. He had seasons with the Rangers of 37, 38, 39, 43, and 47 twice. Rafael only had more than 10 errors twice in all his years in Texas
Personally Rangers fans really loved him. He was fan favorite during both his stints with the Texas club. Steroids and his link to them was his only down side. Maybe if he had not pointed his finger at congress.
In my humble opinion, he gave his all to the Texas Rangers. He played more season with the Rangers than any other team. I believe, after much debate and fun discussions, that Rafael Palmeiro is the best Ranger to ever play first base.
