Best Rangers of all time, by jersey number
ARLINGTON -- Who was the best player to wear each number in Rangers history? Here is our list with some managers and coaches mixed in. Thanks to Joe Siegler, long-time Rangers fan who has tracked every number used in club history, including Spring Training.
0: Al Oliver
His four-year batting average of .319 is the highest in Rangers history for a player with a minimum of 300 games.
1: Elvis Andrus
Prominent No. 1’s include Scott Fletcher, Jeff Frye, Bump Wills and Billy Martin, but Andrus is the clear winner.
This was actually Michael Young’s number in his rookie season.
Alex Rodriguez wore it for his three seasons with the Rangers, but McLemore wore it for three postseasons.
The starting center fielder on the 1996 division championship team.
5: Corey Seager
This is one of the harder decisions, as Ian Kinsler was a three-time All-Star during the best stretch of baseball in franchise history. But Seager became the franchise shortstop in his first season as a Ranger in 2022, earning three All-Star appearances, an AL MVP runner-up finish in '23 and World Series MVP in the first title in franchise history.
6: Tom Grieve
“Tag” is far more known for what he has done after hanging up the uniform.
Cue up the theme from "The Magnificent Seven."
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He spent 15 years as Rangers hitting coach.
9: Pete O'Brien
The most famous No. 9 in baseball history is Ted Williams. He wore it in his one year as Rangers manager.
10: Michael Young
The Rangers retired it for Young. Jim Sundberg was also worthy of the honor and Young graciously acknowledged that during his ceremony.
11: Toby Harrah
The All-Star shortstop gets the nod over Yu Darvish.
12: Rougned Odor
Let's also give a hat tip to long-time catcher Geno Petralli.
13: Joey Gallo
The kid from Las Vegas doesn’t worry about unlucky numbers.
14: Julio Franco
He was a three-time All-Star and 1991 AL batting champion.
15: Bruce Bochy
Managed the Rangers to the first World Series championship in franchise history in 2023.
16: Dean Palmer
He was the power-hitting third baseman on the 1996 championship team.
17: Nelson Cruz, Nathan Eovaldi
Two major postseason heroes. Feel free to argue among yourselves.
18: Mitch Moreland
Pat Putnam was a similar player, but Moreland was in two World Series.
19: Juan Gonzalez
The uniform he wore while winning two MVP Awards.
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20: Jeff Burroughs
The 1974 American League MVP.
21: Ruben Sierra
The same uniform number worn by Roberto Clemente.
22: Will Clark
Thrill over Boo. Steve Buechele also wore the number.
23: Mark Teixeira
Excellent player. Excellent trade.
24: Dave Schmidt
He was an underrated reliever for the Rangers in 1981-85. Bobby Bonds and Hunter Pence also wore the number for one year.
25: Rafael Palmeiro
The best to wear the number, but Buddy Bell is the one in the Rangers Hall of Fame.
26: Johnny Oates
Managed the Rangers to three division titles and the uniform is now retired.
There are multiple intriguing choices -- Todd Zeile, Dick Bosman -- but Guerrero helped the Rangers get to the World Series in 2010.
28: Darren Oliver
He wore it better as a reliever than he did as a starter.
29: Adrian Beltré
The number is retired because of Beltré, but it was also worn by Rusty Greer and Pete Incaviglia.
30: Neftalí Feliz
The Rangers closer for two World Series.
31: Fergie Jenkins
He holds the Rangers single-season record with 25 wins in 1974.
32: Josh Hamilton
He had five amazing seasons with the Rangers and a messy encore return.
33: Frank Howard
He had one abbreviated season with the Rangers but was Mr. Senator in Washington.
34: Nolan Ryan
Were you expecting Dale Mohorcic or Paul Mirabella?
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35: Lance Lynn or Cole Hamels
Argue among yourselves.
36: Bobby Witt, C.J. Wilson, Gaylord Perry
What an absolutely fascinating trio for one number.
37: Kenny Rogers
Perfect game.
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38: Ron Washington
He belongs in the Rangers Hall of Fame. End of discussion.
39: Scott Feldman
The answer to the future trivia question: Who was the Rangers Opening Day pitcher in 2010 when they went to their first World Series?
40: Jeff Russell
Made it to the Rangers Hall of Fame after a number of standout seasons in their bullpen.
41: Kevin Brown
The best pitcher ever drafted by the Rangers.
42: Jackie Robinson
It was actually worn by another Hall of Famer while with the Rangers. That would be Nellie Fox, who was a coach under Williams.
43: Kameron Loe
The uniform really stood out when Lowe had Angel -- his 6-foot boa constrictor -- wrapped around it.
44: Danny Darwin
He was a valuable starter and reliever for the Rangers in 1978-84.
45: Derek Holland
A huge fan favorite in Texas because he was a good pitcher and a better person.
46: Bobby Jones
He wore several different numbers as a player and a coach. This was one of them.
47: Kevin Reimer
He was used in left field but was better at designated hitter.
48: Colby Lewis
The best postseason pitcher in Rangers history.
49: Charlie Hough
The all-time winningest pitcher in Rangers history.
50: Tom Henke
He was the Rangers closer in 1993-94.
51: Matt Bush
He is still trying to come back from Tommy John surgery.
52: Tanner Scheppers
Another hard-throwing reliever who flamed out too quickly.
53: Adolis García
The 2023 ALCS MVP slashed .323/.382/.726 with a 197 wRC+, an MLB-record 22 RBIs and eight home runs in the 2023 postseason. The Rangers without a doubt do not win without him.
54: Matt Harrison
One brief shining moment.
55: Brian Downing
The Rangers' DH for a couple of years in 1991-92 but is best known for his years with the Angels.
56: Danny Patterson
The hard-throwing reliever went with Gonzalez to the Tigers in that 1999 trade.
57: Darwin Cubillán
The answer to the trivia question: Who was the pitcher the Rangers got from the Blue Jays along with Young for Esteban Loaiza?
58: Alex Claudio, Brian Shouse
Two side-arming left-handed relievers with similar ability.
59: Roger Pavlik
He was an All-Star as a starter for the Rangers in 1996, but then was put in the bullpen for the playoffs.
60: Warner Madrigal
The Mad Dog was a Rangers reliever in 2008-09.
Can’t list this number without bringing up the name of Chan Ho Park.
62: José Leclerc
He was much better wearing this number before switching to No. 25.
63: Ian Gibaut
Here today, gone to Minnesota.
64: A.J. Griffin
Better with the guitar than on the mound.
65: Yohander Méndez
We are running out of steam here.
66: Josh Frasier
Just finished his 14th season as the Rangers bullpen catcher.
67: Jacob Latz
Recency bias and slim pickings -- only five players in franchise history have worn the number -- leave the Rangers’ 2026 All-Star close the best with this number.
After 13 years in the Minor Leagues, he was called up to the Rangers in September 2014 and played in seven games.
70: Brock Burke
Working his way back from shoulder surgery.
71: Jose Trevino
He has since moved up to 56 and 23.
Team mascot Ranger Captain also wears this number in honor of the Rangers moving to Texas in 1972.
73: Kyle Cody
Rougned Odor also wore this early in his career.
74: Sam Huff
NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Sam Huff wore No. 70.
75: Peyton Gray
The Rangers’ 2026 Rookie of the Year is one of just two players to wear the number in franchise history. Another recency bias pick.
76: Eli White
He is more the wide receiver-type than a lineman.
77: Luke Jackson
Pitched for the Rangers in 2015-16.
79: John King
He has since moved up to 60.
80: Kumar Rocker
The only player to wear the number in franchise history.
84: Prince Fielder
He wore No. 28 in Milwaukee and Detroit but decided on a fresh start with the year he was born.
88: Rene Gonzalez
He was with the Orioles as a utility infielder. Cal Ripken Jr. was No. 8 so Gonzales went 88 because it was infinite and consistent.