Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team based in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, competing in Major League Baseball as a member of the American League West Division. The franchise began life as the Washington Senators, an expansion team that started play in 1961, before moving to Arlington, Texas, for the 1972 season and rebranding as the Texas Rangers. The name pays homage to the legendary state law enforcement agency, the Texas Rangers.

For decades, the Rangers were known more for near-misses than triumphs. They came agonizingly close to a World Series title in 2011, twice being one strike away from victory in Game 6 before losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. But the franchise finally broke through in 2023, capturing its first championship by defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games. That run was powered by stars like Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, and Adolis García, with veteran manager Bruce Bochy at the helm.

The team has played at Globe Life Field since 2020, a retractable-roof stadium in Arlington that replaced Globe Life Park (originally The Ballpark in Arlington). Before 1994, the Rangers called Arlington Stadium home. The club has won seven AL West titles (1996, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016) and three American League pennants (2010, 2011, 2023). Their biggest rival is the Houston Astros, an in-state feud that intensified after the Astros moved to the AL West in 2013.[edit]

The franchise originated as the Washington Senators, an expansion team that debuted in 1961 alongside the Los Angeles Angels. After a decade of middling results and declining attendance, owner Bob Short moved the team to Arlington, Texas, before the 1972 season. The new identity honored the Texas Rangers, the state's iconic law enforcement agency. The early years in Texas were tough: the Rangers lost 100 games in their first season and didn't post a winning record until 1977.

A turning point came in 1989 when the team signed future Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, who at age 42 threw two no-hitters for the Rangers. Ryan's presence brought credibility and excitement, but the team still lacked postseason success. That changed in 1996, when manager Johnny Oates led the Rangers to their first division title and playoff appearance. The club won three division crowns in four years (1996, 1998, 1999) but couldn't advance past the first round.

The 2000s brought more heartbreak. Under manager Ron Washington, the Rangers reached the World Series in 2010 and 2011, losing both times. The 2011 defeat was particularly crushing: the Rangers were twice one strike away from the title in Game 6 before the Cardinals rallied to win in extra innings, then took Game 7. After a playoff drought from 2017 to 2022, the team hired Bruce Bochy in October 2022. In his first season, Bochy guided the Rangers to a 90-72 record and a dominant postseason run, culminating in a World Series sweep of the Diamondbacks. Corey Seager earned World Series MVP honors.[edit]