The Texas Rangers have one of the more fascinating histories in Major League Baseball. The franchise began in Washington, D.C., as the expansion Washington Senators in 1961, moved to Washington Senators, for the 1972 season and became the Texas Rangers. For decades, the franchise struggled to reach the postseason. That changed in the 1990s, when Texas developed into an American League West contender. The Rangers eventually reached their first World Series in 2010, returned in 2011, and finally captured their first championship in 2023, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games. The Beginning: Washington Senators The modern Rangers franchise began in 1961 as an expansion version of the Washington Senators. The original Washington Senators had moved to Minnesota after the 1960 season and became the Minnesota Twins. MLB then awarded Washington another expansion club for 1961. The New Senators Played their first season at Griffith Stadium before moving into the newly constructed D.C. Stadium in 1962. The franchise remained in Washington through the 1971 season. Washington owner Bob Short eventually received permission to move the club to Arlington, Texas. The move was completed after the 1971 season, and the club became the Texas Rangers in 1972. The first Texas Rangers game was played on April 15, 1972, against the California Angels. Texas lost that game 1-0, but the move established Major League Baseball permanently in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. All Texas Rangers Principal Owners MLB’s official ownership history lists six principal ownership periods. Robert E. “Bob” Short 1968–1974 Bob Short purchased the Washington Senators in 1968. His most important decision came in 1971 when he received approval to move the franchise to Arlington. The team became the Texas Rangers beginning with the 1972 season. Short sold the franchise to Bradford G. Corbett in 1974. Bradford G. Corbett 1974–1980 Corbett purchased the Rangers in 1974. His ownership period included the emergence of some important Rangers players, including Jeff Burroughs and Toby Harrah, while future Hall of Fame pitchers Ferguson Jenkins, Gaylord Perry and Bert Blyleven also passed through the organization. The Rangers won 84 games in 1974, their first winning season in Texas, and Jeff Burroughs won the American League MVP Award. Corbett sold the team to H.E. “Eddie” Chiles in 1980. H.E. “Eddie” Chiles 1980–1989 Chiles was a Fort Worth businessman and became the Rangers’ principal owner in 1980. During his ownership the Rangers signed one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. In December 1988, Nolan Ryan signed with Texas as a free agent at age 41. Ryan’s arrival would eventually become one of the most important events in Rangers history. George W. Bush / Edward W. “Rusty” Rose Partnership 1989–1998 An ownership group led by George W. Bush and Edward W. “Rusty” Rose purchased controlling interest in the Rangers in March 1989. Bush eventually became the club’s managing general partner before becoming Governor of Texas and later President of the United States. The ownership group oversaw one of the most important periods in Rangers history, including the construction of a new ballpark and the emergence of Nolan Ryan, Juan González and Ivan Rodriguez. Thomas O. Hicks 1998–2010 Thomas O. Hicks purchased the Rangers in 1998 for approximately $250 million. His ownership included some of the greatest offensive players in franchise history, including: Ivan Rodriguez, Juan González, Alex Rodriguez, Rafael Palmeiro, and Mark Teixeira The Rangers won three American League West titles during this period, in 1998, 1999 and 2010. The 2010 season ended with Texas reaching its first World Series. Rangers Baseball Express 2010–Present A group led initially by Rangers Baseball Express Bob Simpson and Nolan Ryan purchased the Rangers in 2010. The ownership group was later led by Ray Davis and Bob Simpson. Davis became the controlling owner in 2013 after Nolan Ryan stepped down from that role. Under the Davis-Simpson ownership, the Rangers eventually won the first World Series championship in franchise history in 2023. MLB officially continues to list Rangers Baseball Express as the ownership entity. Every Ballpark the Rangers Have Called Home The Rangers franchise has played regular-season home games in five primary stadiums. Griffith Stadium Washington, D.C. — 1961 The expansion Washington Senators played their first season at historic Griffith Stadium. The ballpark had been home to the original Washington Senators and was also associated with the Washington baseball history of the early 20th century. After the 1961 season, the new Senators moved to D.C. Stadium. D.C. Stadium / Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Washington, D.C. — 1962–1971 The Senators moved into D.C. Stadium in 1962. The facility was renamed Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in 1969. The franchise remained there until moving to Arlington following the 1971 season. Arlington Stadium Arlington, Texas — 1972–1993 Arlington Stadium originally operated as Turnpike Stadium, a minor-league facility. When Major League Baseball arrived, the stadium was expanded and renamed Arlington Stadium. The Rangers played there from 1972 through 1993. The final Rangers game at Arlington Stadium was played in October 1993. The Ballpark in Arlington / Ameriquest Field / Rangers Ballpark / Globe Life Park Arlington, Texas — 1994–2019 The Rangers opened their new ballpark in 1994. The facility went through several names: The Ballpark in Arlington — 1994–2004 Ameriquest Field in Arlington — 2004–2007 Rangers Ballpark in Arlington — 2007–2014 Globe Life Park in Arlington — 2014–2019 It became the backdrop for some of the greatest moments in Rangers history, including the club’s first two World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. Globe Life Field Arlington, Texas — 2020–present The Rangers moved into Globe Life Field in 2020. The stadium features a retractable roof and climate-controlled environment, a particularly important feature in the Texas summer. The Rangers’ current lease agreement with Arlington extends through the end of 2053. Globe Life Field became the site of the Rangers’ first World Series championship celebration in 2023. Cooperstown Hall of Famers Who Entered the Hall as Rangers One distinction is important when discussing Rangers Hall of Famers. Several Cooperstown Hall of Famers played for the franchise, including Nolan… Continue reading TEXAS RANGERS: COMPLETE HISTORY
