texas rangers history
texas rangers history
Deep in the heart of Texas is where fans can get their Rangers tickets to Rangers Ballpark, the home of the American League East’s Texas Rangers baseball team. Named after the legendary law enforcement agency of the 1800’s, the team has played in Arlington, Texas a suburb in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex since 1972. The team is also noteworthy for once being owned by a future President of the United States. In 1989, an investment group headed by George W. Bush Sr. bought the team Bush served as Managing Partner until he was elected Governor of Texas in 1994. He and his wife Barbara can still be seen at games in their box behind home plate whenever the former President’s busy schedule permits.
On October 4th, 2005, the Rangers named Jon Daniels as general manager. At age 28, he becomes the youngest general manager in Major League history. The task of re-building the team will be a daunting one for Daniels and manager Buck Showalter. One of his first moves has been to trade All Star second baseman Alfonso Soriano to the Washington Nationals for centerfielder Brad Wilkerson. Wilkerson will be flanked in the outfield by Kevin Mench in right and David Dellucci in left. Dellucci’s offensive numbers have steadily improved in his years with the Rangers. He hit 29 homeruns in 2005. But the offensive leaders on the team are still first baseman Mark Teixiera and shortstop Michael Young. The switch-hitting Teixeira powered his way to a .301 batting average last year with 43 homers and 144 RBI’s. Young’s numbers were equally impressive as he batted .331 knocked in 91 and had 24 homers of his own. Texas rookie Ian Kinsler will fill the vacant position at second base. The rest of the lineup and bench duties go to returning Rangers Hank Blalock, Rod Barajas, Phil Nevin and Laynce Nix.
But it’s the starting rotation that’s been almost completely overhauled. Last year’s Ace, Kenny Rogers was traded to the Detroit Tigers. It was Rogers who received a 20 game suspension from Commissioner Bud Selig, after attacking a cameraman on the field at Comerica Park during a pre-game warm-up. He was not offered a contract to return. It was shortly after that incident that the Rangers went into a 1-12 slump that took them out of the pennant race. So Daniels has gone out and acquired three quality right-handed pitchers. Kevin Millwood formerly of the Cleveland Indians signed a five-year $60 million deal. Adam Eaton came aboard from the San Diego Padres and Vincente Padilla comes west from the Philadelphia Phillies. It will be their job to keep things close so the Rangers can get to the team’s fine closer: Francisco Cordero who garnered 37 saves in 2005.
Things could really be heating up for the Texas Rangers. Fans should not allow the oppressive summer temperatures to keep them from buying Texas Rangers tickets to what promises to be a comeback season for their favorite team.
