Texas Rangers: Fun Facts

The Texas Rangers will open their 46th season in Arlington Monday -- here are some of the fun facts and milestones made by the team in their four-plus decades of major league play.

The Texas Rangers were originally the Washington Senators (1961-1971). They played their first season as the Texas Rangers in 1972.
The Rangers' first manager was Hall of Famer Ted Williams.
The Rangers originally played at Turnpike Stadium in Arlington.
Hall-of-Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan recorded his 5,000th strikeout, 300th win and sixth and seventh no-hitters with the Rangers.
An investment group headed by President George W. Bush purchased the Rangers in 1989. Bush left the team when he was elected Governor of Texas in 1994.
Since 1994 the Rangers have played at Globe Life Park in Arlington, though it was originally called The Ballpark in Arlington.
The Rangers hosted the All-Star Game at The Ballpark in Arlington in 1995.
Three numbers have been retired by the Texas Rangers: 34 - Pitcher Nolan Ryan, retired Sept. 15, 1996; 42 - Jackie Robinson, retired for all of MLB April 15, 1997; 26 - Manager Johnny Oats, retired Aug. 6, 2005

Team Records

Season
Batting average - .359, Josh Hamilton (2010)
Doubles - 52, Michael Young (2006)
Triples - 14, Ruben Sierra (1989)
Home Runs - 57, Alex Rodriguez (2002)
RBI - 157, Juan Gonzalez (1998)
Stolen Bases - 52, Bump Wills (1978)
Wins - 25, Ferguson Jenkins (1974)
ERA (min. 100 IP) - 1.57, Jim Kerm (1979)
Strikeouts - 301, Nolan Ryan (1989)
Saves - Francisco Cordero (2004)

Career
Batting average - .319, Al Oliver
Doubles - 415, Michael Young
Triples - 55, Michael Young
Home Runs - 372, Juan Gonzalez
RBI - 1,180, Juan Gonzalez
Stolen Bases - 241, Elvis Andrus
Wins - 139, Charlie Hough
ERA (min. 500 IP) - 3.26, Gaylord Perry
Strikeouts - 1,452, Charlie Hough
Saves - 150, John Wetteland

Feats

Perfect Game: Kenny Rogers against California Angels July 28, 1994

No-Hitters

Jim Bibby at OAK, July 30, 1973
Bert Blyleven at CAL, Sept. 22, 1977
Nolan Ryan at OAK, June 11, 1990
Nolan Ryan v. TOR, May 1, 1991

Hitting for the Cycle

Adrian Beltre - Astros - 8/4/15
Shin-Soo Choo - Rockies - 7/21/15
Alex Rios - Astros - 9/23/13
Adrian Beltre - Twins - 8/24/12
Bengie Molina - Boston - 7/16/10
Ian Kinsler - Baltimore - 4/15/09
Gary Matthews Jr. - Detroit - 9/13/06
Gary Matthews Jr. (natural order) - Detroit - 9/13/06
Mark Teixeira - Cleveland - 8/17/04
Oddibe McDowell - Cleveland - 7/23/85

Triple Plays

Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus - Detroit - 5/20/09
Kenny Rogers, Alex Rodriguez, Ivan Rodriguez,
Hank Blalock, Kenny Rogers, Michael Young* - Seattle - 4/14/02
Alex Rodriguez, Randy Velarde - at Boston - 8/6/01
Mark McLemore, Royce Clayton, Lee Stevens - at New York - 6/17/99
Toby Harrah, Bump Willis, Mike Hargrove - Oakland - 8/8/77
*According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the 1-6-2-5-1-4 triple play was the most touches on a triple play since Aug. 29, 1969.

Most Valuable Player