Best Rangers of all time, by jersey number

December 1st, 2021

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.

2: Bobby Valentine

This was actually Michael Young’s number in his rookie season.

3: Mark McLemore

Alex Rodriguez wore it for his three seasons with the Rangers, but McLemore wore it for three postseasons.

4: Darryl Hamilton

The starting center fielder on the 1996 division championship team.

5: Ian Kinsler

Three-time Rangers All-Star.

6: Tom Grieve

“Tag” is far more known for what he has done after hanging up the uniform.

7: Ivan Rodriguez

Cue up the theme from the Magnificent Seven.

8: Rudy Jaramillo

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: Larry Parrish

Parrish was an All-Star and 1984 Rangers Player of the Year.

16: Dean Palmer

He was the power-hitting third baseman on the 1996 championship team.

17: Nelson Cruz, Shin-Soo Choo

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.

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.

27: Vladimir Guerrero

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 Beltre

The number is retired because of Beltre, but it was also worn by Rusty Greer and Pete Incaviglia.

30: Neftali Feliz

The Rangers closer for two World Series.

31: Ferguson 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?

35: Lance Lynn or Cole Hamels

Argue among yourselves.

36: Bobby Witt, CJ Wilson, Gaylord Perry

What an absolutely fascinating trio for one number.

37: Kenny Rogers

Perfect game.

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 Lowe

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: Joaquin Benoit

Right-hander who spent 16 years in the big leagues even though there were times when he seemed on his way out.

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 Cubillan

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.

61: Robinson Chirinos

Can’t list this number without bringing up the name of Chan Ho Park.

62: Jose 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 Mendez

We are running out of steam here.

66: Josh Frasier

Just finished his 14th season as the Rangers bullpen catcher.

67: Ronald Guzmán

His first uniform number in the big leagues.

68: Guilder Rodriguez

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.

72: Jonathan Hernández

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: Wes Benjamin

He has since moved up to 63.

76: Eli White

He is more the wide receiver-type than a lineman.

77: Luke Jackson

Now with the Braves.

79: John King

He has since moved up to 60.

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 Gonzales

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.