Texas Rangers History

1992-Present
Apr 24, 1992 Actual construction begins on new ballpark with the first game to take place on Opening Day, 1994.

July 9, 1992 Bobby Valentine is dismissed as manager, and replaced on an interim basis by Toby Harrah. A week later, Harrah accepts the position on a full-time basis.

Oct 26, 1992 Kevin Kennedy is appointed as Rangers manager.

Sept 12, 1993 Nolan Ryan pitches in his final game at Arlington Stadium on "Nolan Ryan Appreciation Day." The Twins post a 4-2 victory over the Rangers, but following the game, Ryan is honored in an on-field ceremony.

Oct 3, 1993 The Royals defeat the Rangers, 4-1, before 41,039 at the final game in Arlington Stadium history. Arlington Stadium closes its doors after hosting major league baseball for 22 years.

Apr 1, 1994 The Rangers play the first game at The Ballpark in Arlington, losing to the New York Mets in an exhibition contest, 10-7.

Apr 11, 1994 The Rangers fall to Milwaukee, 4-3, in the first regular-season game at The Ballpark in Arlington.

July 28, 1994 Kenny Rogers becomes the first Ranger pitcher to ever throw a perfect game, blanking the Angels, 4-0, at The Ballpark in Arlington.

Oct 14, 1994 Johnny Oates, manager of the Baltimore Orioles since 1991, is named as the 14th full-time manager in Rangers history.

July 11, 1995 The Rangers host the 66th All-Star Game at The Ballpark in Arlington, as the National League posts a 3-2 victory over the American League.

Sept 15, 1996 Texas retires Nolan Ryan's uniform number 34, the first retired number in franchise history.

Sept 27, 1996 The Rangers clinch their first post-season appearance in franchise history as Seattle loses to Oakland, giving Texas the American League West Division championship.

Oct 1, 1996 The Rangers play the first post-season game in franchise history, defeating the New York Yankees, 6-2, in Game 1 of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium.

Oct 4, 1996 Playoff baseball finally comes to Arlington, but the Yankees score two runs in the ninth inning for a 3-2 victory over Texas before 50,860 at The Ballpark in Arlington.

Nov, 1996 Johnny Oates becomes the first Texas manager to win the BBWAA A.L. Manager of the Year award. Juan Gonzalez, who set team records with 47 homers and 144 rbi, becomes the second Rangers player to win the BBWAA A.L. Most Valuable Player award.

Dec 16, 1996 John Wetteland, the 1996 World Series MVP with the Yankees, signs a four-year contract to pitch for the Rangers.

June 12, 1997 The San Francisco Giants defeat the Rangers, 4-3, before 46,507 at The Ballpark in Arlington in the first regular season interleague game in major league history. Darren Oliver throws the first pitch.

June 30, 1997 Bobby Witt hits a solo homer off Ismael Valdes at Dodger Stadium, the first American League pitcher to go deep in a regular season game since Baltimore's Roric Harrison on Oct 3, 1972 (1st game) at Cleveland. It is the first home run by a pitcher in Texas Rangers history.

Jan 7, 1998 An investor group led by Thomas O. Hicks agrees to acquire the Rangers in a $250 million transaction.

June 10, 1998 Major League owners unanimously approve transfer of ownership of Texas Rangers to Thomas O. Hicks at Major League meetings in Seattle.

Sept 25, 1998 The Rangers clinch American League West Division Championship in Seattle when Anaheim loses to Oakland.

Oct 2, 1998 The New York Yankees complete a three-game sweep of the Rangers in A.L. Division Series with a 4-0 win at The Ballpark in Arlington. The game is delayed 3 16 in the sixth inning due to rain.

Jan 5, 1999 Nolan Ryan elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He announced that he will be the first Hall of Famer to ever have a Texas Rangers cap on his plaque in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Apr 29, 1999 Tom Schieffer resigns as Rangers President.

May 7, 1999 Jim Lites named Rangers President.

July 25, 1999 Nolan Ryan inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Sept. 26, 1999 The Rangers defeat Oakland, 10-3, to clinch the American League West Division title.

Oct. 9, 1999 The New York Yankees win their ninth straight playoff game against the Rangers, completing their second straight three-game sweep of the Rangers in the A.L. Division Series with a 3-0 win at The Ballpark in Arlington.

Nov 18, 1999 Ivan Rodriguez wins the 1999 BBWAA A.L. Most Valuable Player Award.

Dec 11, 2000 Alex Rodriguez signs a 10-year, $252 million contract with Texas at the age of 25.

1984-1991
Sept 30, 1984 California's Mike Witt becomes the 13th pitcher in big league history to pitch a perfect game when he retires 27 straight Rangers at Arlington Stadium.

Apr 29, 1985 Larry Parrish hits three homers as Texas beats the Yankees, 7-5, at Arlington Stadium. It is the fourth time in his career for Parrish to accomplish the feat and he becomes the fifth player in major league history to do it in both leagues.

May 16, 1985 Bobby Valentine is named to succeed Doug Rader as Rangers manager.

July 23, 1985 Oddibe McDowell becomes the first Ranger ever to hit for the cycle with a 5-for-5 effort against the Cleveland Indians at Arlington Stadium. His eight consecutive hits (three the previous game) tie a team record.

Nov 3, 1987 The Rangers purchase Arlington Stadium from the City of Arlington.

Dec 7, 1988 41-year-old pitcher Nolan Ryan signs with the Rangers as a free agent.

Mar 18, 1989 An investor group led by George W. Bush and Edward W. (Rusty) Rose purchases controlling interest in the Rangers from Eddie Chiles.

Aug 22, 1989 Nolan Ryan strikes out Oakland's Rickey Henderson to become the first pitcher in major league history to record 5,000 career strikeouts.

June 11, 1990 At Oakland, Nolan Ryan pitches his sixth career no-hitter in a 5-0 shutout over the A's.

July 31, 1990 Nolan Ryan defeats the Brewers, 11-3, at Milwaukee for his 300th career victory.

Oct 24, 1990 The Rangers and the City of Arlington announce plans to build a new ballpark and complex adjacent to the Arlington Stadium location.

Jan 19, 1991 City of Arlington voters approve a one-half cent sales tax to finance up to 135 million dollars of municipal bonds for construction of ballpark complex.

May 1, 1991 Nolan Ryan throws his seventh career no-hitter in a 3-0 win over Toronto at Arlington Stadium. His seven no-hitters are a major league record and at 44 years, three months and one day, Ryan is the oldest pitcher ever to throw a no-hitter.

Oct 30, 1991 Official groundbreaking ceremony takes place for new ballpark complex.

1976-1983
June 25, 1976 Shortstop Toby Harrah plays a complete doubleheader without handling a chance in the field, a major league record.

Dec, 1976 The Rangers and the City of Arlington agree on a two-year program to renovate and enlarge Arlington Stadium to 42,000.

May 15, 1977 Willie Horton becomes the first Ranger to hit three home runs in one game in a 7-3 victory over Kansas City.

June 22, 1977 After a 31-31 start, Frank Lucchesi is replaced as manager by Eddie Stanky, who guides the club to a 10-8 win over Minnesota but steps down after just one game.

June 23, 1977 Rangers coach Connie Ryan takes over as interim manager.

June 28, 1977 Bill Hunter, in his 14th year as a coach with the Baltimore Orioles, takes over as manager of the Rangers. He would guide the club to a 60-33 (.645) over the remainder of the season.

Aug 8, 1977 Texas turns the first triple play in team history. With runners on first and second, Oakland's Manny Sanguillen grounds to third baseman Toby Harrah, who steps on third and throws to Bump Wills at second for the force. Wills relays to Mike Hargrove at first to complete the triple play.

Aug 27, 1977 On consecutive pitches by New York pitcher Ken Clay, Toby Harrah and Bump Wills hit inside-the-park home runs at Yankee Stadium.

Sept 22, 1977 Bert Blyleven throws the Rangers' second no-hitter by blanking the Angels at Anaheim, 6-0.

Oct 1, 1978 Pat Corrales, a Texas coach since 1975, replaces Bill Hunter as manager before the final game of the season. The Rangers down the Mariners, 9-4, in Corrales' debut.

Dec 8, 1978 Texas trades Toby Harrah to the Indians for all-star third baseman Buddy Bell.

Apr 29, 1980 Corbett sells majority interest in Rangers to H.E. (Eddie) Chiles.

May 3, 1980 Fergie Jenkins becomes the fourth pitcher in history to win 100 games in each league when he downs Baltimore, 3-2, at Arlington Stadium.

Nov 12, 1980 Former Senator Don Zimmer is named as the Rangers' eighth manager.

Apr 30, 1981 Lefthander Rick Honeycutt sets a club record with his fourth consecutive shutout, a 7-0 five-hitter over the Royals at Arlington Stadium.

May 25, 1981 Bill Stein sets an A.L. record with his seventh consecutive pinch hit, breaking the mark of Baltimore's Bob Johnson.

June 11, 1981 Fergie Jenkins and the Rangers blow a 3-1 sixth-inning lead as the Brewers rally for a 6-3 victory on the last day before the players' strike. Had Texas held on to win, it would have remained in first place and clinched a playoff spot.

July 4-7-10, 1982 Larry Parrish ties a major league record with three grand slams in one week. In 10 games, Parrish collects 19 rbi and bats .514 (18-35).

July 28, 1982 Don Zimmer is dismissed as Rangers' manager. Coach Darrell Johnson is named interim manager.

Nov 1, 1982 Former Astros third baseman Doug Rader is tabbed as Rangers skipper.

July 3, 1983 The Rangers set a major league record by scoring 12 runs in an extra inning. Texas send 16 batters to the plate in the 15th inning at Oakland to post a 16-4 victory.

Aug 11, 1983 The City of Arlington and the Rangers announce a new option contract giving the ballclub complete control of Arlington Stadium.

Oct, 1983 The Rangers finish the season with a 3.31 era and a .962 fielding percentage, both best in the American League.

1968-1975
Apr 19, 1968 After a five-hour meeting in Chicago, the National League approves expansion to Montreal and San Diego. Dallas-Fort Worth fails in its bid for an N.L. franchise.

Dec 3, 1968 Robert E. Short, the Democratic National Committee Treasurer, purchases majority interest of the Washington Senators at the winter meetings in San Francisco.

Jan 18, 1969 Ted Williams is appointed manager of the Senators.

July 23, 1969 The National League scores a 9-3 win in the All-Star Game before 45,259 at R.F.K. Stadium.

Oct 1, 1969 The Senators close out the season with an 86-76 record after finishing 32 games under .500 a year earlier. The turnaround earns Ted Williams A.L. Manager of the Year honors. Frank Howard finishes with 48 homers and places fourth in the MVP voting. Dick Bosman wins the era title at 2.19.

Oct, 1970 Frank Howard captures two-thirds of the Triple Crown with 44 homers and 126 rbi and finishes fifth in the MVP balloting. Expansion begins at Turnpike Stadium to enlarge seating capacity to 20,000.

Sept 20, 1971 Short receives approval from A.L. owners to move the franchise from Washington, D.C. to Arlington, Texas for the 1972 season.

Sept 30, 1971 The final game for Washington Senators is forfeited to the Yankees when fans stream onto the field with two out in the ninth inning with Senators, leading, 7-5.

Oct, 1971 With the coming of major league baseball, Turnpike Stadium is enlarged to a 35,694 seating capacity and renamed Arlington Stadium.

Nov 23, 1971 Short announces the franchise will be called the Texas Rangers.

Apr 6, 1972 The Rangers' inaugural game is postponed by a players' strike.

Apr 15, 1972 The Rangers lose at California, 1-0, in the team's first game. Catcher Hal King singles off Andy Messersmith for the first base hit in Texas history.

Apr 16, 1972 Pete Broberg beats the Angels, 5-1, for the first victory in club history.

Apr 21, 1972 The Rangers beat the Angels, 7-6, before a crowd of 20,105 in first game for the franchise at Arlington Stadium. Frank Howard homers in the first inning for Texas.

July 25, 1972 Toby Harrah becomes the first Ranger selected to the all-star team.

Sept 30, 1972 Ted Williams retires as Rangers manager. Whitey Herzog, Director of Player Development for the New York Mets, is named as Williams' successor.

June 5, 1973 Texas selects lefthanded pitcher David Clyde as the nation's number one draft choice in the June free agent draft.

June 27, 1973 Just 20 days out of Houston's Westchester High School, 18-year-old David Clyde makes his major league debut against the Minnesota Twins. He walks the first two batters he faces before fanning three straight and he goes on to post a 4-3 victory before a crowd of 35,698.

July 26, 1973 Jeff Burroughs hits the first of three grand slams in 10 days.

July 30, 1973 Jim Bibby throws the first no-hitter in team history by blanking the A's, 6-0. Bibby fans 13 to beat Oakland ace Vida Blue.

Sept 8, 1973 Herzog is replaced by former Detroit skipper Billy Martin as Rangers manager.

Oct 26, 1973 The Rangers acquire righthander Fergie Jenkins from the Chicago Cubs for third baseman Bill Madlock and second baseman Vic Harris.

May 29, 1974 Bradford G. Corbett forms group and purchases franchise from Bob Short. Corbett selects former Yankees infielder Bobby Brown as team president.

Aug 30, 1974 Second baseman Dave Nelson ties a major league record by stealing second, third and home in the first inning against Cleveland's Dick Bosman.

Oct 2, 1974 Texas finishes with an 84-76 record, in second place, five games behind eventual world champion Oakland. First baseman Mike Hargrove is the league Rookie of the Year, Jeff Burroughs is the A.L. MVP, Billy Martin is the Manager of the Year, and Fergie Jenkins is the Comeback Player of the Year, second only to the A's Catfish Hunter in Cy Young voting.

July 21, 1975 Billy Martin is fired as Texas manager after leading the team to a 44-51 record. Third base coach Frank Lucchesi takes over on an interim basis and guides the team to a 35-32 record (79-83 overall).

1960-1967
Oct 26, 1960 American League awards expansion franchise to Washington, D.C. following transfer of Calvin Griffith's franchise to Minnesota.

Nov 17, 1960 General Elwood R. (Pete) Quesada's bid for the Washington franchise is approved by American League.

Apr 10, 1961 President John F. Kennedy throws out the first pitch as 26,724 watch the Washington Senators lose to Chicago White Sox, 4-3 at Griffith Stadium in the franchise's first game.

Apr 9, 1962 The Senators beat Detroit, 4-1 in first game at new District of Columbia Stadium (renamed Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in 1969).

July 10, 1962 The first of two 1962 All-Star Games comes to D.C. Stadium as the National League beats the American League, 3-1, before 45,480.

Sept 18, 1962 The American League holds a meeting in New York to explore the possibilities of major league baseball coming to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Although the idea is deemed worthy, league owners reject Kansas City A's owner Charley Finley's attempt to move his team to the metroplex.

Jan 29, 1963 James H. Johnston, James H. Lemon, and George M. Bunker buy out Quesada and four others to become majority owners of the Senators.

Sept, 1964 Construction begins on 10,000-seat Turnpike Stadium in Arlington. The ballpark would serve as home of the Dallas-Fort Worth entry in the Texas League and, eight years later, the Texas Rangers.

Jan, 1965 Johnston and Lemon buy out Bunker and other partners to gain complete control of the franchise.

Apr 23, 1965 The Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs beat Albuquerque before 7,231 in the first game at Turnpike Stadium.

June, 1966 Washington selects Pittsfield (Mass.) outfielder Tom Grieve as its top choice in the June free agent draft. Grieve would go on to a fine career with the Senators and Rangers and later become the club's general manager.

June 12, 1967 The Senators beat Chicago, 6-5, in 22 innings. The game lasted six hours, 38 minutes and ended at 2 43 a.m., causing the league to adopt a curfew stating that no inning may start after 1 00 a.m.

Nov, 1967 The Senators draft shortstop Toby Harrah from the Phillies farm club in Reading, Pa.

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