In 1964, Arlington Stadium was constructed and was to serve as the first stadium of the Texas Rangers. The Rangers began play in 1972, and the team's first four years would set the precedent for the team's future pattern of play: cycles of mediocre seasons, followed by a season of near-success, followed by a season of disappointment. While Bobby Valentine was the manager of the Texas Rangers in the 1980's, stars such as Ruben Sierra, Juan Gonz?les, Kenny Rogers, Ruben Sierra, and the popular catcher Geno Petralli failed to lead them to a World Series title. In 1989, future President George W. Bush led an investment team that purchased the Texas Rangers. In 1994, Kenny Rogers pitched a perfect game, a milestone achievement that will never be forgotten.
Johnny Oates was named manager of the Texas Rangers in 1995, which began play in their brand new stadium, known as The Ballpark in Arlington. Oates was named manager of the year, while Gonz?les was named American League Most Valuable Player. With the managerial expertise of Oates and the skill of baseball greats such as Gonz?les, Ivan Rodriguez, and Dean Palmer, the Rangers charged into their first playoffs since the team's inception, and won the American League Division Series.
Texas followed up with Division titles again in 1998 and 1999. In the post-2001 off-season the most lucrative deal in the history of baseball was made: shortstop Alex Rodriguez was signed to a 10-year
252 million dollar contract. Although Rodriguez's performance was excellent, the Ranger's traded him to the New York Yankees at the end of the 2003 season due to a controversy between A-Rod and the team management.
The 2008 Rangers finished 2nd in the division behind the LA Angels with a 79-83 record. In this season center fielder Josh Hamilton represented the Rangers well as an All-Star hitting a record breaking 28 home runs in the first round of the derby. The previous record was 24, set by Bobby Abreu in 2005. Other representatives for the Rangers included Ian Kinsler, Milton Bradley, and Michael Young.
All but Bradley return to the Rangers for the start of the 2009 season, who signed a 30 million dollar contract with the Chicago Cubs.
The Rangers should be able to make a run for the division if they can find a way to beat out the LA Angels. They show a promising future with veterans mixed with a lot of upcoming prospects.
Dustin Pedroia led the derby for the Boston Red Sox with two home runs and three RBI’s as they went on to demolish the Orioles 10-0 last night at Fenway Park. After a dismal Labor day showing in regards to Boston’s offense, Kevin Youkilis, Alex Gonzalez, JD Drew, and David Ortiz all decided to take their drivers [...]
David Ortiz knocked in three runs with a double and a home run, giving the Boston Red Sox the early advantage against the Blue Jays last night in Toronto. The Sox jumped out early, scoring four runs in the second inning and three more in the fourth and fifth. Beckett did not show his best, giving [...]
Mets David Wright, Dodgers Hiroki Kuroda, and Rangers Ian Kinsler each suffered a ball to the head last Saturday during various MLB contests, and each of the players are currently in different states of recovery. David Wright’s return to the lineup this season is doubtful, as Kuroda and Kinsler have both been released from their [...]
