Texas Rangers - What’s in store for the AL’s roller coaster team?
The Texas Rangers baseball team were founded in 1961, but were known at that time as the Washington Senators. The team moved to Arlington in 1972 and was managed by Ted Williams. By 1974, the Texas Rangers began to come into their own as a team. The Texas Rangers finished the season 84-76 and in second place behind the Oakland Athletics, who would later become the World Series Champions. The 1974 Texas Rangers are still the only Major League Baseball team to finish above .500 after two consecutive 100-loss seasons.
The first four seasons for the Texas Rangers would start what has become a pattern for the franchise–cycles of poor to mediocre seasons, followed by an occasional year of success, followed by disappointment the following year, then reverting to poor to mediocre seasons. After excellent seasons between 1977-79, they came very close to clinching a playoff spot in the first half of 1981. However, they lost the game before the strike hit. After 1981, the Texas Rangers would not win again for another five seasons.
Valentine eventually became manager and would lead throughout the 1980s and 1990s. A highlight for the team was the signing of then forty-one year old Nolan Ryan in 1989 who provided much excitement for baseball fans. Ryan reached his 5,000th strikeout, 300th win, and threw his sixth and seventh no-hitters that year. There was much expected from the 1989 team, which included Juan Gonzalez, Harold Baines, and Rafael Palmeiro on the roster. However, the team never improved past being average, and Valentine was let go during the 1992 season.
In 1993, Kevin Kennedy took over as manager, and led the team for two seasons. This team was in serious contention for a playoff berth. However, their playoff hunt was thwarted by the players’ strike in what was probably their best chance to win the division championship. 1995 began with promise, with a new manager (Johnny Oates) who led them to win the American League West division title in 1996. This was the first playoff series in history for the Texas Rangers. Although they lost the series to the New York Yankees, Oates was named American League Manager of the Year and Juan Gonzalez was named American League MVP. Oates again led them to the American League West championships in 1998 and 1999, but was let go mid-season in 2001 after a last place finishing 2000 season.
In what was the most lucrative deal in baseball history, Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod) was signed to a ten-year, $252 million contract in 2001. Although A-Rod’s individual performance was outstanding, the Texas Rangers continued to struggle and the manager at that time, Jerry Narron, was fired at the end of the season. After a last place finish in 2003 and a fallout between Rodriguez and team management, A-Rod was traded to the New York Yankees.
This season, the Texas Rangers got off to a slow start, but are showing signs of improvement. Improvements in pitching have contributed greatly to this turnaround. As of the middle of May, the Texas Rangers are tied for first place in the American League West.
For more information about the Texas Rangers, including the current roster, current standings, player stats, and how to get tickets, search online.