You want underdogs? We got ‘em!
A quick look at the underdogs on the Rangers roster… all 25 of them.
Rotation
Cliff Lee- Traded away for an upgrade.
C.J. Wilson- Former reliever who had to talk his way into a shot at the rotation.
Colby Lewis- Left for Japan two years ago to finish out his career.
Relief
Alexi Ogando- Could not get a visa to leave the Dominican Republic for 5 years and never pitched above winter ball before this season.
Darren O’Day- Had to make his Ranger debut in another mans jersey, the journeyman submariner finally found a home.
Darren Oliver- Just turned 40 the elder of the team.
Neftali Feliz- His blazing 103 mph fastball has been almost forgotten with the emergence of Aroldis Chapman and his 105 mph heater, despite setting a new rookies saves mark.
Infield
Andres Blanco- Battled for a position to be the utility infielder, the spot wasn’t secured till a late season trade for OF Jeff Francoeur
Jorge Cantu- Right handed first baseman had a flash in the pan performance to clinch the AL West, but has been a non factor since.
Ian Kinsler- Always compared to and in the shadow of All-Star second baseman Dustin Pedroia… since college.
Michael Young- The face of the franchise, and all of its ups and downs. Ten years in the making and his first play off appearance.
Catchers
Bengie Molina- Traded away because of a “down year” and to give the Giants up and coming catcher more playing time.
Matt Treanor- Never before an every day catcher, who’s wife is the more achieved athlete.
Outfield
Nelson Cruz- Late blooming Minor league journeyman, had a chance to be claimed by any team, yet was not and therefore retained by the Rangers, before breaking out.
Vladimir Guerrero- Supposedly washed up after a lost year due to injury.
Josh Hamilton- His well documented past with alcoholism and drug abuse and his epic return is as underdog as it gets.
David Murphy- The best 4th outfielder in the league, as talented and professional as the starters, coming off the bench.
Jeff Francoeur- The next “Natural” that never was.
The Rest of the Rangers:
Derek Holland
Tommy Hunter
Michael Kirkman
Clay Rapada
Mitch Moreland
Julio Borbon
Elvis Andrus
For the rest of the Rangers, age and inexperience itself has put them in a category of underdog.
