Greatest Ranger Ever?

This past week, Michael Young became the Texas Rangers all-time leader in hits. He passed Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez with his 1748th hit.

It got me thinking. Where exactly does Young fit on the list for greatest Texas Rangers' player of all-time?

Let's make a list: Pudge, Juan Gonzalez, Rafeal Palmeiro, Ruben Sierra, Nolan Ryan, Jim Sundberg, Buddy Bell.

I would put Young ahead of Bell and Sundberg right away. Not only is he great offensively, but defensively as well. Nolan doesn't make the cut because he only played here 4 seasons. Now Pudge, Juan, Sierra, and Raffy put up better numbers, but all 4 have been linked to steroid use.

That leaves Young standing alone. Even if you take out some of the things like steroids, I would probably still take Young.

He brings leadership to a team that has been growing ever since the Alex Rodriguez trade. He shows that he is the ultimate team player by moving positions, not once, but twice. He moved from 2nd base to shortstop to accommodate the selfish Alfonso Soriano. He then moved from shortstop to 3rd base for Elvis Andrus. The move for Soriano pissed me off. It hurt the team defensively. The move for Andrus was handled incorrectly, but was ultimately the right move.

Young has made himself one of the most clutch hitters in baseball, and is one of the most respected players in all of baseball.

I look at it this way: If Michael Young was on the New York Yankees, he would be a national hero, and a World Series champ and making about $20 million a year. In other words, he would be Derek Jeter.

That being said, I think Michael Young is hands down the best Ranger right now and of all-time, and the younger players coming up, have a great role model to look up to.

I almost feel like the Rangers should send the Toronto Blue Jays a thank you note after every game for giving us Michael Young for Esteban Loaiza.

I can't wait to see Michael Young go in the Hall of Fame, wearing a Texas Rangers' hat. He is a true baseball player, and someone I am proud to be a fan of.

Please send any feedback to john@bigbadsportsdaddy.com.