Austin in 1823 when Texas was part of Mexico, and whose mythology led to fictional characters such as The Lone Ranger and Walker, Texas Ranger.
The team's name is shared with the law enforcement agency of the same name. The franchise was established in 1961 as the Washington Senators, an expansion team awarded to Washington, D.C., after the city's first AL ballclub, the second Washington Senators, moved to Minnesota and became the Twins (the original Washington Senators played primarily in the National League during the 1890s).
The team's name is shared with the law enforcement agency of the same name. The franchise was established in 1961 as the Washington Senators, an expansion team awarded to Washington, D.C., after the city's first AL ballclub, the second Washington Senators, moved to Minnesota and became the Twins (the original Washington Senators played primarily in the National League during the 1890s).
The team played its first game on April 15, 1972, a 1–0 loss at the hands of the California Angels, their 1961 expansion cousins.
The team played their inaugural season at old Griffith Stadium, then moved to the new District of Columbia Stadium in 1962 under a ten-year lease. For most of their existence, the new Senators were the definition of futility, losing an average of 90 games a season.
Frank Howard, an outfielder/first baseman from 1965 to 1972 known for his towering home runs, was the team's most accomplished player, winning two home run titles.
Arlington's [card] was Turnpike Stadium, a 10,000-seat park built in 1965 to house the Double-A Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs of the Texas League.
Following their brief success in 1969, owner Bob Short was forced to make many questionable trades to lower the debt he had incurred to pay for the team in late 1968; the purchase price was reported at $9.4 million.
The team's struggles led to a twist on a joke about the old Senators: "Washington: first in war, first in peace and still last in the American League." Their only winning season was in 1969 when Hall of Famer Ted Williams managed the club to an 86–76 record, placing fourth in the AL East.
Following their brief success in 1969, owner Bob Short was forced to make many questionable trades to lower the debt he had incurred to pay for the team in late 1968; the purchase price was reported at $9.4 million.
By the end of the 1970 campaign, Short had issued an ultimatum: unless someone was willing to buy the Senators for $12 million (by comparison, the New York Yankees were sold in 1973 for $8.8 million), he would not renew the stadium lease and would move the team elsewhere. Short was especially receptive to an offer brought up by Arlington, Texas, mayor Tom Vandergriff, who had been trying to obtain a major league sports team to play in the Metroplex for over a decade.
On September 21, 1971, American League owners voted 10–2 to allow the move of the franchise to Arlington for the 1972 season.
Frank Howard, an outfielder/first baseman from 1965 to 1972 known for his towering home runs, was the team's most accomplished player, winning two home run titles.
On September 21, 1971, American League owners voted 10–2 to allow the move of the franchise to Arlington for the 1972 season.
The team subsequently made a statement clarifying that despite sharing the name, they are not affiliated with the law-enforcement agency and they stand for equality by "condemn[ing] racism, bigotry and discrimination in all forms." ====First years in Texas (1972–1984)==== Prior to the 1972 season, improvements were made to Turnpike Stadium, which reopened as Arlington Stadium, in preparation for the inaugural season of the Texas Rangers.
The team played its first game on April 15, 1972, a 1–0 loss at the hands of the California Angels, their 1961 expansion cousins.
The next day, the Rangers defeated the Angels, 5–1, for the club's first victory. In 1974, the Rangers experienced their first winning season after finishing last in both 1972 and 1973.
He wears the uniform number 72 in honor of 1972, the year the Rangers relocated to Arlington.
Captain's outfits sometimes match a theme the team is promoting; on April 24, 2010, he was dressed up like Elvis Presley as part of an Elvis-themed night. ==Achievements== ===Baseball Hall of Famers=== Chuck Hinton and Frank Howard, who played for the franchise in Washington (although Howard played for the Rangers in 1972), are listed on the Washington Hall of Stars display at Nationals Park in Washington.
By the end of the 1970 campaign, Short had issued an ultimatum: unless someone was willing to buy the Senators for $12 million (by comparison, the New York Yankees were sold in 1973 for $8.8 million), he would not renew the stadium lease and would move the team elsewhere. Short was especially receptive to an offer brought up by Arlington, Texas, mayor Tom Vandergriff, who had been trying to obtain a major league sports team to play in the Metroplex for over a decade.
The next day, the Rangers defeated the Angels, 5–1, for the club's first victory. In 1974, the Rangers experienced their first winning season after finishing last in both 1972 and 1973.
The next day, the Rangers defeated the Angels, 5–1, for the club's first victory. In 1974, the Rangers experienced their first winning season after finishing last in both 1972 and 1973.
The 1974 Rangers are still the only MLB team to finish above .500 after two consecutive 100-loss seasons.
The team posted winning records again from 1977 to 1979 but fell short of reaching the playoffs.
The team posted winning records again from 1977 to 1979 but fell short of reaching the playoffs.
He has called games for the club since 1979 beginning on television broadcasts, then moving exclusively to radio beginning in 1985.
So, the Rangers began playing most of their weekend games between May and September at night, a tradition that continues to this day. ====Valentine, Ryan, and Bush (1985–1994)==== Manager Bobby Valentine became steward over an influx of talent in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The Rangers came very close to clinching a playoff spot in 1981, but wound up losing the first half of the AL West by one-and-a-half games to Oakland at the time of the players' strike.
Raymond replaced Steve Busby, who since 1982 on both TV and radio has had various stints in various positions on Rangers broadcasts from play-by-play to color commentary to pre-game and post-game analysis.
Texas went on to finish under .500 each season through 1985. The Rangers faced an attendance problem for a few years in Texas, due in part to both the team's inconsistent performance and the oppressive heat and humidity that can encompass the area in the summer.
The season marked a dramatic 25-win improvement over the 1985 season, which resulted in yet another last-place finish in the West.
He has called games for the club since 1979 beginning on television broadcasts, then moving exclusively to radio beginning in 1985.
A winning season in 1986 was a shock to pundits and fans alike as the Rangers remained in the race for the American League pennant for the entire season.
The signing of 41-year-old star pitcher Nolan Ryan prior to the 1989 season allowed Ryan to reach his 5,000th strikeout, 300th win, and 6th and 7th no-hitters with the Rangers.
Despite powerful lineups including the likes of Juan González, Rubén Sierra, Julio Franco, and Rafael Palmeiro and a pitching staff that also included Charlie Hough, Bobby Witt, Kevin Brown, and Kenny Rogers, Valentine's Rangers never finished above second place and he was relieved of his duties during the 1992 season. In April 1989, Rangers owner and oil tycoon Eddie Chiles, sold the team to an investment group headed by George W.
So, the Rangers began playing most of their weekend games between May and September at night, a tradition that continues to this day. ====Valentine, Ryan, and Bush (1985–1994)==== Manager Bobby Valentine became steward over an influx of talent in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Neither of Oates' last two playoff teams could win a single game, losing all six in back-to-back sweeps at the hands of the Yankees, a team that won three World Series in the 1990s after defeating Rangers teams in the first round.
Facing the Rangers in the American League Championship Series were the defending World Champion New York Yankees, the team the Rangers failed against three separate times in the 1990s.
Ground was broken on October 30, 1991, on what would become The Ballpark in Arlington (now named Globe Life Park in Arlington). In 1993, Kevin Kennedy took over managerial duties, presiding over the team for two seasons, keeping the 1993 Rangers in the hunt for a playoff berth into mid-September; Nolan Ryan also retired after that season.
Despite powerful lineups including the likes of Juan González, Rubén Sierra, Julio Franco, and Rafael Palmeiro and a pitching staff that also included Charlie Hough, Bobby Witt, Kevin Brown, and Kenny Rogers, Valentine's Rangers never finished above second place and he was relieved of his duties during the 1992 season. In April 1989, Rangers owner and oil tycoon Eddie Chiles, sold the team to an investment group headed by George W.
Until the Florida Marlins arrived in 1993, Arlington Stadium was often the hottest stadium in the majors, with temperatures frequently topping throughout the summer.
Ground was broken on October 30, 1991, on what would become The Ballpark in Arlington (now named Globe Life Park in Arlington). In 1993, Kevin Kennedy took over managerial duties, presiding over the team for two seasons, keeping the 1993 Rangers in the hunt for a playoff berth into mid-September; Nolan Ryan also retired after that season.
In 2020, they moved to the new Globe Life Field after having played at Globe Life Park in Arlington from 1994 to 2019.
Bush left his position with the Rangers when he was elected Governor of Texas in 1994, and he sold his stake in the team in 1998.
Kennedy was let go in 1994, although the team led the AL West prior to the players' strike which prompted commissioner Bud Selig to cancel the remainder of the season and the playoffs.
On July 28, Kenny Rogers pitched the 12th perfect game in major league history in Arlington against the California Angels. ====First division titles (1995–2000)==== Johnny Oates was hired as the Rangers' manager in 1995.
A former Rangers player and general manager, Grieve has been in the TV booth since 1995, following the end of his tenure as GM.
After the season, the new Senators moved to Arlington, and debuted as the Rangers the following spring. The Rangers have made eight appearances in the MLB postseason, seven following division championships in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2011, 2015, and 2016 and as a wild card team in 2012.
Oates and company helped to bring home the 1996 AL Western Division Championship, the first division championship in franchise history.
After the season, the new Senators moved to Arlington, and debuted as the Rangers the following spring. The Rangers have made eight appearances in the MLB postseason, seven following division championships in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2011, 2015, and 2016 and as a wild card team in 2012.
Bush left his position with the Rangers when he was elected Governor of Texas in 1994, and he sold his stake in the team in 1998.
Oates led the team to consecutive AL West championships in 1998 and 1999.
En route to a second-straight last-place finish, Oates resigned his position 28 games into the 2001 season. In 1998, venture capital billionaire Tom Hicks bought the team for $250 million. ====The lean years and the A-Rod era (2001–2004)==== Prior to the 2001 season, star free agent shortstop Alex Rodriguez was signed by the Rangers in the most lucrative deal in baseball history: a 10-year, $252 million contract.
After the season, the new Senators moved to Arlington, and debuted as the Rangers the following spring. The Rangers have made eight appearances in the MLB postseason, seven following division championships in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2011, 2015, and 2016 and as a wild card team in 2012.
Oates led the team to consecutive AL West championships in 1998 and 1999.
The 1999 team was to be the last playoff-bound team until 2010.
Four Rangers played in the All Star Game: Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Milton Bradley, and Michael Young, who would repeat his 2006 All-Star Game feat by driving in the winning run via a sac fly. The Rangers finished the season with yet another sub-.500 record (79–83), yet ended the season second in the AL West, the club's best finish since 1999.
The Rangers won the AL West on September 25, advancing to the postseason for the first time since 1999 with a 90–72 record.
Bush went on to be elected President of the United States in 2000. During Bush's tenure, the Rangers and the City of Arlington decided to replace the aging Arlington Stadium with a new publicly funded stadium, at a cost of $193 million, financed by Arlington residents, through a sales tax increase.
En route to a second-straight last-place finish, Oates resigned his position 28 games into the 2001 season. In 1998, venture capital billionaire Tom Hicks bought the team for $250 million. ====The lean years and the A-Rod era (2001–2004)==== Prior to the 2001 season, star free agent shortstop Alex Rodriguez was signed by the Rangers in the most lucrative deal in baseball history: a 10-year, $252 million contract.
Although Rodriguez's individual performance was outstanding, the Rangers continued to struggle, and manager Jerry Narron was fired following the 2002 season and was replaced by seasoned manager Buck Showalter.
Introduced in 2002, he is a palomino-style horse, dressed in the team's uniform.
The 2003 season signified the Rangers' fourth-straight last-place finish, and after a postseason fallout between Rodriguez and club management, the reigning AL MVP and newly appointed Rangers captain was traded to the New York Yankees for second baseman Alfonso Soriano and infield prospect Joaquin Arias. The Rangers battled with the Anaheim Angels and Oakland Athletics for first place in the AL West for much of the 2004 season.
Frick Award recipients=== ===Texas Sports Hall of Fame=== ===Texas Rangers Hall of Fame=== The Texas Rangers Hall of Fame was created in 2003 to honor the careers of former Texas Rangers players, managers, executives, and broadcasters.
The 2003 season signified the Rangers' fourth-straight last-place finish, and after a postseason fallout between Rodriguez and club management, the reigning AL MVP and newly appointed Rangers captain was traded to the New York Yankees for second baseman Alfonso Soriano and infield prospect Joaquin Arias. The Rangers battled with the Anaheim Angels and Oakland Athletics for first place in the AL West for much of the 2004 season.
Mark Teixeira, Alfonso Soriano, Michael Young, and Hank Blalock became some of the best-hitting infielders in the league, with Young, Blalock, and Soriano being selected for the 2004 All-Star Game.
The 2009 season saw the Rangers soar into playoff contention for the first time since 2004.
The Rangers finished the season at 87–75, their first winning season since 2004 and good enough for second place in the AL West.
Despite a late-season push, the Rangers ended up losing six of their final ten games and finished in third place behind the Angels and A's, a mere three games out of first place. ====Making changes (2005–2009)==== In 2005, the Rangers again struggled to find consistency amid controversy and injuries.
John Hart stepped down as general manager following the 2005 season.
Daniels, at 28 years and one month, became the youngest general manager in major league history. Daniels and the Rangers front office were very active in acquiring new players before and during the 2006 season.
Despite bolstering their roster, the Rangers' 2006 season ended with a disappointing 80–82 record and a third-place finish in the AL West.
Four Rangers played in the All Star Game: Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Milton Bradley, and Michael Young, who would repeat his 2006 All-Star Game feat by driving in the winning run via a sac fly. The Rangers finished the season with yet another sub-.500 record (79–83), yet ended the season second in the AL West, the club's best finish since 1999.
The team lost Gary Matthews, Jr., Mark DeRosa, Carlos Lee, and Adam Eaton, but gained Kenny Lofton, Sammy Sosa, Frank Catalanotto, and pitchers Éric Gagné and Brandon McCarthy. The Rangers struggled offensively early in the 2007 season, despite playing in a notoriously hitter-friendly park.
A number of roster moves before the 2007 trade deadline were the beginnings of a rebuilding project headed by Jon Daniels with a focus on the acquisition and development of young players.
However, they remained mostly in the background as senior consultants, leaving the team mostly in Greenberg and Ryan's hands. ====Rise to contention (2010–2016)==== With the influx of talent and success in 2009, the Rangers entered the 2010 season expecting to compete for the division and achieve the front office's 2007 goals.
Daniels' objective was to field a legitimately competitive team by the 2010 season. The Rangers began the 2008 season exceptionally well, headlined by newcomer Josh Hamilton who looked to be a threat to win the Triple Crown, before fading off as the season wore on.
During the All-Star festivities at Yankee Stadium, Hamilton crushed a first-round home run record in the 2008 Home Run Derby with 28.
The 2009 season saw the Rangers soar into playoff contention for the first time since 2004.
Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz were also named 2009 AL All-Stars. ====Rangers Baseball Express, LLC==== Following financial problems, including defaulting on a $525 million loan, Tom Hicks and Hicks Sports Group reached an agreement to sell the Texas Rangers to group headed by Pittsburgh sports lawyer Chuck Greenberg and Rangers team president Nolan Ryan for approximately $570 million on January 22, 2010.
However, they remained mostly in the background as senior consultants, leaving the team mostly in Greenberg and Ryan's hands. ====Rise to contention (2010–2016)==== With the influx of talent and success in 2009, the Rangers entered the 2010 season expecting to compete for the division and achieve the front office's 2007 goals.
After the season, the new Senators moved to Arlington, and debuted as the Rangers the following spring. The Rangers have made eight appearances in the MLB postseason, seven following division championships in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2011, 2015, and 2016 and as a wild card team in 2012.
In 2010, the Rangers advanced past the division series for the first time, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays.
In the 2010 World Series, the franchise's first, the Rangers fell to the San Francisco Giants in five games.
The 1999 team was to be the last playoff-bound team until 2010.
Daniels' objective was to field a legitimately competitive team by the 2010 season. The Rangers began the 2008 season exceptionally well, headlined by newcomer Josh Hamilton who looked to be a threat to win the Triple Crown, before fading off as the season wore on.
Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz were also named 2009 AL All-Stars. ====Rangers Baseball Express, LLC==== Following financial problems, including defaulting on a $525 million loan, Tom Hicks and Hicks Sports Group reached an agreement to sell the Texas Rangers to group headed by Pittsburgh sports lawyer Chuck Greenberg and Rangers team president Nolan Ryan for approximately $570 million on January 22, 2010.
However, they remained mostly in the background as senior consultants, leaving the team mostly in Greenberg and Ryan's hands. ====Rise to contention (2010–2016)==== With the influx of talent and success in 2009, the Rangers entered the 2010 season expecting to compete for the division and achieve the front office's 2007 goals.
During the off-season, Nolan Ryan spoke about the Rangers' chances in the upcoming season saying, "My expectations today are that we're going to be extremely competitive and if we don't win our division, I'll be disappointed." After stumbling out of the gates with a sub-.500 start in April 2010, the Rangers took the division lead with a franchise-best month of June, going 21–6.
The Rangers faced the San Francisco Giants in the 2010 World Series, but their offense struggled against the Giants' young pitching and eventually lost the Series, 4–1. In March 2011, Chuck Greenberg resigned as Chief Executive and Managing General Partner and sold his interest in the Rangers after a falling out with his partners.
Captain's outfits sometimes match a theme the team is promoting; on April 24, 2010, he was dressed up like Elvis Presley as part of an Elvis-themed night. ==Achievements== ===Baseball Hall of Famers=== Chuck Hinton and Frank Howard, who played for the franchise in Washington (although Howard played for the Rangers in 1972), are listed on the Washington Hall of Stars display at Nationals Park in Washington.
After the season, the new Senators moved to Arlington, and debuted as the Rangers the following spring. The Rangers have made eight appearances in the MLB postseason, seven following division championships in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2011, 2015, and 2016 and as a wild card team in 2012.
They repeated as American League champions the following year, then lost the 2011 World Series to the St.
The Rangers faced the San Francisco Giants in the 2010 World Series, but their offense struggled against the Giants' young pitching and eventually lost the Series, 4–1. In March 2011, Chuck Greenberg resigned as Chief Executive and Managing General Partner and sold his interest in the Rangers after a falling out with his partners.
Ryan was subsequently approved as the team's controlling owner by a unanimous vote of the 30 owners of Major League Baseball on May 12. The Rangers successfully defended their AL West Division title in 2011, making the club's second-straight division title and postseason appearance.
On October 15, they went back to the 2011 World Series after beating the Detroit Tigers 15–5 in game six of the ALCS.
After the season, the new Senators moved to Arlington, and debuted as the Rangers the following spring. The Rangers have made eight appearances in the MLB postseason, seven following division championships in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2011, 2015, and 2016 and as a wild card team in 2012.
Louis Cardinals in seven games, after twice being one strike away from the championship in game six. The Rangers dominated the American League standings for much of the 2012 season, but floundered in September, culminating in a sweep by the Oakland Athletics in the final series.
He joined the broadcast in 2012 after Steve Busby moved from radio to television to replace Dave Barnett.
In June 2012, Busby moved back to television play-by-play after Dave Barnett left his position as game announcer following an episode in which he experienced speech difficulties.
The Rangers figured in the 2013 wild card as well.
A 163rd play-in tie-breaker game was held to determine the second participant in the 2013 American League Wild Card Game against the Cleveland Indians.
Nolan Ryan stepped down as Rangers CEO effective October 31, 2013.
On December 11, 2013, he was awarded the 2014 Ford C.
Since then, Daniels has served as operating head of the franchise, with Davis and Simpson continuing to serve mostly as senior consultants. Injuries took a major toll on the Rangers in 2014.
On September 4, 2014, the Rangers became the first MLB team officially eliminated from 2014 postseason contention when a 10–2 loss at home to the Seattle Mariners dropped their record to 53–87.
On December 11, 2013, he was awarded the 2014 Ford C.
After the season, the new Senators moved to Arlington, and debuted as the Rangers the following spring. The Rangers have made eight appearances in the MLB postseason, seven following division championships in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2011, 2015, and 2016 and as a wild card team in 2012.
With the acquisition of Cole Hamels in 2015, the Rangers overtook the Houston Astros to clinch the American League West title on the final day of the season with a record of 88–74.
On September 21, 2018, holding on to a 64–88 record, the Rangers fired Jeff Banister who had led the team since 2015.
After the season, the new Senators moved to Arlington, and debuted as the Rangers the following spring. The Rangers have made eight appearances in the MLB postseason, seven following division championships in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2011, 2015, and 2016 and as a wild card team in 2012.
Texas again clinched the AL West in 2016, but lost to Toronto, 3–0, in the ALDS. ====2017–present==== The Rangers finished the 2017 campaign 23 games out of first place with a 78–84 record.
During the 2016 season, they had an average 3.96 rating and 105,000 viewers on primetime broadcasts.
Beginning in 2016, Raymond substituted for Busby on select games.
Texas again clinched the AL West in 2016, but lost to Toronto, 3–0, in the ALDS. ====2017–present==== The Rangers finished the 2017 campaign 23 games out of first place with a 78–84 record.
Rangers games can also be seen on MLB on Fox and TBS. Since 2017, Dave Raymond is the primary television play-by-play announcer and former MLB pitcher C.
In 2018, the Rangers partnered with the KBO League's LG Twins, in business and baseball operations.
On September 21, 2018, holding on to a 64–88 record, the Rangers fired Jeff Banister who had led the team since 2015.
In 2020, they moved to the new Globe Life Field after having played at Globe Life Park in Arlington from 1994 to 2019.
Chris Woodward was later selected to be the team's manager beginning with the 2019 season.
The 2019 season also marked the Rangers' final season of play at Globe Life Park. Following a delayed start to the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rangers played their first regular season game at the new Globe Life Field on July 24, 2020, a 1–0 win over the Colorado Rockies.
In 2020, they moved to the new Globe Life Field after having played at Globe Life Park in Arlington from 1994 to 2019.
In the wake of 2020's Black Lives Matter protests, prominent mainstream voices have shined a light on the historical racism associated with the law-enforcement agency and called for the baseball team to abandon the Rangers name.
The 2019 season also marked the Rangers' final season of play at Globe Life Park. Following a delayed start to the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rangers played their first regular season game at the new Globe Life Field on July 24, 2020, a 1–0 win over the Colorado Rockies.
The Rangers did not enforce a mask policy at the home opener or any of their games, and the seven-day average of COVID-19 cases in Tarrant County more than doubled following the home opener. ==Ballpark== Globe Life Field, in Arlington, Texas, began serving as the home of the Texas Rangers in 2020.
They ended the contracted season in fifth place at 22–38. On 5 April 2021, the Texas Rangers marked the first full-capacity sporting event in the United States since the pandemic began with more than 38,000 fans in attendance.
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