[The fifth in a series: I’m picking one player that I associate with a team (whether they spent the majority of their career there or not) that I would strongly consider adding to my official want lists. They may not always be superstars, or the most popular, and honestly they may not always be my favorite player from the team, but that’s what will make this fun, no?]
What an off-season the Rangers have had, eh? I haven’t followed all of the moves, but I do know they lost Michael Young to trade and Josh Hamilton to free agency. That probably won’t help their chances.
Although, on the other hand, Darvish seems like a solid pickup thus far and they have Olt and Profar waiting in the wings. Oh, who knows? Any team can do anything on just about any year.
That’s not what’s important. What’s important is that this little series of mine hasn’t seen an episode since December, and I have to step it up if I’m going to get through all 30 teams before every player retires.
This edition is inspired by 2013 Topps. Seeing this mini card reminded me to jump back in.
Watch your ass, Robin Ventura
Nolan Ryan could have shown up for a number of teams, but with me growing up in the 80s and all, it just seemed right to choose the Rangers. Nolan was one my favorite players. Still is, really. The only reason he’s not on my list of collections already is the massive amount of competition. And the money. My god, that would be an expensive collection. Maybe I’ll go for it if I ever make enough to try. I think I’d probably have to be in 6 figure territory for that.
Would be nice, though.
Take a knee
Current player runner-up: Adrian Beltre
Even with the recent Angels signing, I thought briefly about Josh Hamilton. I can’t pull the trigger on that. I’m just not that big of a fan, and I couldn’t care less if he has success, back story or no.
It’s hard to believe that Adrian’s only been with the club since 2011. I don’t really picture him with any other team besides the Rangers. This guy isn’t a hobby darling by any means, which is a little strange, considering his level of production. The guy is an All-Star, Silver Slugger Winner, Gold Glover and poised to hit 500 homers before he’s all done. Kind of crazy when you think about it.
If this were also scratch 'n' sniff, it would be the ultimate card
Retired player runner-up: Juan Gonzalez
Now, I don’t have plans to collect people that are connected to steroids or other performance enhancers. Juan Gone has been implicated by Canseco and others, but from what I understand there’s no formal evidence against the guy. I didn’t look that far into it. I do know he had a great, long career that would be worth admiring if it’s actually clean. I’ll say it is, I suppose. Let’s face it, I won’t be collecting Gonzalez anyway, he’s just the best non-Nolan Ranger retired choice for me.
The Series So Far
Angels
Astros
Athletics
Blue Jays
Braves
Brewers – Bob Eucker
Cardinals – Jim Edmonds
Cubs
Diamondbacks
Dodgers
Giants
Indians
Mariners
Marlins
Mets
Nationals/Expos
Orioles
Padres
Phillies
Pirates – Andrew McCutchen
Rangers
Rays/Devil Rays
Red Sox
Reds
Rockies
Royals
Tigers
Twins
White Sox – Paul Konerko
Yankees
‘but with me growing up in the 80s and all, it just seemed right to choose the Rangers’
Um, do you realize that he played for the Astros all but 1 year of the 80s? I can understand wanting to choose him for that team since he finished his career there, but using the 80s as a reason doesn’t make much sense. Personally, the player that always stood out to me from the Rangers of that era is Rafael Palmeiro, and to a lesser extent Ruben Sierra.
The Real Person!
Author Jon acts as a real person and passed all tests against spambots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.
Ha, I think that would be a case of my mind thinking one thing and my fingers typing another. I grew up in the 80s, but remember the 90s more, and that’s definitely what I meant.
I for one, am glad you don’t collect Rangers. If you ever decided to though, I could send you a BoatLoad of Gonzos. I have a dupe or two!