The All-Time Rangers/Red Sox Roster

Congratulations to the Texas Rangers, who won the 1st Championship in the their 62 year history, ending the second longest title drought among the franchises (only Cleveland has waited longer). Personally, I helped contribute to the overall declining TV viewership numbers by not watching a single game. Instead I went old school, listening to the local radio broadcasts for each team courtesy of the MLB app. 

Back in 2018, when the Red Sox faced the Dodgers, I thought it would be fun to create a lineup consisting of players who have played for both teams. Since then, every new World Series champion has gotten the "Former/Current Red Sox who also played with that team" treatment. If you're interested, here's the list so far:

2018 - Los Angeles Dodgers

2019 - Washington Nationals (with a bonus Montreal Expos lineup!)

2020 - Since the Dodgers won, I didn't bother doing them again. Mookie Betts would have been the only change.

2021 - Atlanta Braves

2022 - Houston Astros

Now it's time for the Texas Rangers! As a general rule, I tried to avoid players from their Washington Senators days (there is technically one exception, which you'll see later, but since he has a card of him wearing a Texas Rangers uniform, I counted it!) Who are the greatest players that have suited up for both franchises?

 

Catcher: Mike Napoli

2012 Topps Update #US177 (AS)

2015 Topps Allen & Ginter #338 (SP)

By the time Napoli grew out his glorious beard, his days behind the plate were pretty much over. He was the starting catcher for the 2012 AL squad, joining 6 of his Texas teammates. The next year he joined Boston, where he was a beloved member of the 2013 Championship team. 

1st Baseman: Adrian Gonzalez

2005 Donruss #37 (RR)

2011 Topps Heritage #437 (SP)

Gonzalez only spent parts of two seasons with each team, but his one full season in Boston was everything you could have hoped for from a big off-season trade: In 2011, he was an All-Star, finished Top-10 in MVP voting, and won both a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove. Unfortunately, 2012 was the Bobby Valentine $h!t show, and Gonzalez was traded to Los Angeles in one of the biggest salary dumps in MLB history.

2nd Baseman: Ian Kinsler

2007 Upper Deck #221

2018 Topps Update #US10

Kinsler's time in Texas will get him serious consideration for the Hall of Fame. That alone gets him as our starting second baseman. The Red Sox traded for him in 2018 to replace the injured Dustin Pedroia, and although he didn't put up great numbers, he was a solid member of the 2018 World Series Champions.

Shortstop: Scott Fletcher

1988 Donruss #11 (DK)

1994 Ultra #14

Speaking of solid ball players, Scott Fletcher was one of those types of players that didn't do anything particularly well, but rarely hurt his team on the field. In his 6 years with both teams, he accumulated 18.1 WAR.

3rd Baseman: Adrian Beltre

2019 Stadium Club #275

2011 Topps #302

Before 2010, no one considered Beltre a future Hall of Famer. He had a spectacular MVP runner-up season in 2004, but the 5 years in between were solid but not spectacular. The free agent was not finding many takers, and ended up signing a one year "pillow contract" with Boston. He responded with arguably is second best season ever. Now I'm not saying that his 8 years in Texas aren't the reason he's practically a shoo-in for the Hall, but I am saying that one year in Boston was the pivotal turning point in his career that put him on the path.

 

Outfielder: Jim Piersall

1993 Keebler Texas Rangers #294

1957 Topps #75

Here's where I cheated a little. Piersall never donned the Texas uniform as a player, as his time with the franchise was when they were in Washington. As you can see, he does have a Rangers card though, thanks to his brief time as a coach for the team. The 2-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner is famous for his memoir "Fear Strikes Out" which was made into a movie in 1957.

Outfielder: Jose Canseco

1994 Collector's Choice #560

1997 Upper Deck #24

Canseco has won more hardware, accolades, and championships than anyone else on this list. Too bad it was almost all with his time in Oakland. Still, he was a consistent power threat in the middle of both lineups while he was there. Plus, it gives me an excuse to show off this classic clip: 

 

Outfielder: David Murphy

2009 Topps #614

2007 Upper Deck #5

In 2007, Murphy was one of the young up-and-comers the Red Sox traded to Texas in exchange for Eric Gagne. That trade didn't work out so well in Boston, as Murphy became a dependable starter for Texas during his 6 1/2 years with the team.

 

Designated Hitter: Mitch Moreland

2014 Topps Heritage #228

2017 Stadium Club #82

"Mitchy Two-Bags" was a Gold Glove winner for Texas, and a surprising All-Star for Boston during that magical 2018 season. He's a fan favorite in both cities, and deserves recognition as this mashup team's designated hitter!

Starting Pitcher: Ferguson Jenkins

1976 Topps #250

1978 Topps #720

The first native Canadian to ever be elected to the Hall of Fame, the Rangers traded Jenkins to the Red Sox in exchange for the immortal Craig Skok. After two seasons, the Red Sox sent him back to Texas for the equally immortal John Poloni. 

Relief Pitcher: Jeff Russell

1992 Mother's Cookies Texas Rangers #8

1993 Leaf #494

All but 7 of his 186 career saves came in one of these two uniforms, topping the 30 save mark at least once for both teams. On an unrelated note, in my research to find the above Jeff Russell cards, I made a discovery that not enough people are talking about. Has anyone else seen Jeff Russell's amazing run of cards from the Mother's Cookies Texas Rangers sets? From 1987 to 1992, each card get more and more fantastic. Seriously, click on the link. It's frickin' art I tell you...

Manager: Ted Williams

1975 SSPC #19 (MGR)

1992 Upper Deck - Baseball Heroes: Ted Williams #35

Yeah, yeah, I know...Ted Williams never managed the Red Sox. It would be a crime against humanity for me to talk about the history of both these teams and not mention Williams though. The greatest player in the history of the Red Sox, who also happened to be the very first manager in Texas. 

Congrats to the Texas Rangers on an amazing World Series. You can't help but be happy for the fans who have waited over 60 years for this moment!