On June 11th, 1990, Nolan Ryan threw the Texas Rangers’ first no-hitter in franchise history, leading his team to a 5-0 win over the Oakland Athletics. The 43-year-old became the oldest pitcher to throw a no-hitter and the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter for three different teams. The ace tossed 130 pitches, the most Ryan threw in any of his no-nos. He struck out 14 batters and walked two. His pitch count ties him for the 11th highest mark of any no-hitter with pitching data.
Sorry, Flame, but the idea popped into my head and I REALLY wanted to write about it Anywho, This story truly starts in 2016. The Rangers had gone 95-67 (don't you even dare.) and had won both the AL West and the top seed for the playoffs. Does not mean they succeeded, however. In the ALDS, they got swept by the 4 seeded Blue Jays. This was a sign of much disappointment to come from the Rangers. Jeff Banister was kept for the 2017 season. After their promising 2016 season, everything fell down like the old Cowboys stadium. In 2017, they went 78-84, finished their season with 1 regular season game in October, finished 4th in the AL West, and kept Jeff Banister in hopes that it was an off year for the team. It was not. In 2018, they went 67-95. And on September 19th, they fired Jeff Banister. 2 days later, they found his replacement in Don Wakamatsu. This is their seocnd manager over this DYK's timeline. Keep that in mind. They were also 36 games behind the 103-win As(s)tros. In 2019, they hired Chris Woodward. Manager 3. They preceded to go 78-84. Again. Under a different manager. The finished 3rd in the AL West, 29 games behind the 107 win Astros. In 2020, uh, well, 2020. They kept Chris Woodward, and went 22-38. This was also their first year at Globe Life Field. They finished last in the AL West and last in the AL. They literally had their best chance to make the postseason for the first time since 2016, and fumbled it like Dak Prescott in 2019. In 2021, Chris Woodward is, somehow, still here. They would go 60-102, finishing last in the AL West. Again. They had the third worst record in baseball, ahead of only the Orioles, and, conveniently, the Diamondbacks. However, in 2022, they went a total of 8 games better. Yay? They finished 4th in the AL West, and fired Chris Woodward on August 15th. Tony Beasly was named interm manager of the Texas Rangers the same day. I want to remind you this was their 50th season being named the Texas Rangers. And they went .420. And now 2023. Bruce Bochy was named manager of the Rangers. Their 5th manager in 8 years, including 2016 and 2023. September 30th. The season is starting to wind down to a close. The Rangers need this win to stay alive. And they get it. A 6-1 win against the Mariners let them clinch their first playoff berth since 2016. And you better believe they're gonna run the **** away with it. At the end of the season, the Astros and Rangers tied for the AL West. However, due to tie breakers, the Astros took the division. This dropped the Rangers from 2nd with a bye to 5th. They were only 2 games ahead of missing the postseason all-together and 1 game form being the 2 seed. That didn't stop them, though. Are you serious? October 3rd and 4th. Despite being the away team for both games, Montgomery and Eovaldi won both their games and leading the #5 Rangers to a clean sweep of the Rays. Series 2. ALDS vs the Orioles. The greatest team in baseball that year. The Rangers run was ove- oh, oh my god. Dunning, Bradford and Eovaldi recorded wins in yet another sweep of the Orioles. They ended it off at home in from of 40k with a dominant 7-1 win. ALCS. Against, comically, the Astros. 7 games. One world series berth on the line. And when I tell you the series went in reverse of what you expected, I mean it. The Rangers won the first 2 games... at Houston. Then the Astros won the next 3 games... at Texas. October 22nd. Down 3-2. Texas needs a miracle. Thankfully, the third coming of Jesus known as Nathan Eovaldi has come to the rescue, with a clutch 9-2 win. So it all came down to 9 more innings of baseball. Which Texas would win with virtually no competition. Montgomery would pitch some decent innings but the offense was the real show, showing up with 11 runs while Houston only managed 4. To earn their ticket to the world series. October 27th. Welcome to the World Series. Two of the worst teams from just two year ago would meet in the World Series. And we started out with a banger. 11 innings. The Rangers rallied in the 9th to tie it at 5 and send it to extra innings. Insert: Adolis Garcia. In the words of the generic MLB The Show 23 announces: " AND OH THAT IS BELTED, WAY BACK THERE, AND GONEEEE!!! RANGERS WALK IT OFF!" Will this be a sign of things to come? No. Not at all. The Diamonds backs proceeded to win 9-1, then the Rangers won 3-1 and 11-7. Just like Game 3, it was 3-1 in game 5. And once again, the third coming of Jesus Nathan Eovaldi was back. 5-0. And the Rangers won the World Series. From the crew back here at MLB The Show 23, Good night.
The Texas Rangers represent the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex from Globe Life Field in Arlington, a retractable-roof stadium that opened in 2020 and provides relief from the brutal Texas summer heat. The franchise's red, white, and blue colors and classic 'T' logo evoke the Lone Star State's identity, with the Rangers having built a passionate following across North Texas and beyond. The DFW market's massive population and corporate base have enabled the Rangers to invest heavily in talent, with the 2023 World Series championship validating the organization's commitment to winning and bringing Texas its first title. Globe Life Field's modern amenities, air conditioning, and excellent sightlines have made it a popular destination for baseball in a football-dominated region. The Rangers' 2023 championship has established them as one of baseball's premier franchises.
The franchise originated as the Washington Senators in 1961 before moving to Arlington in 1972 and becoming the Rangers, with Nolan Ryan's two no-hitters in a Texas uniform and his record 5,714 career strikeouts defining the early era. The 2010 and 2011 teams reached the World Series behind Josh Hamilton's MVP-caliber play and a potent offense, though both Fall Classics ended in heartbreak—particularly the 2011 Game 6 when the Rangers were one strike away from the title twice. Adrian Beltré's Hall of Fame career included his 3,000th hit as a Ranger, while Ivan Rodríguez, Michael Young, and Juan González created lasting memories. The 2023 championship, featuring Corey Seager's World Series MVP and Bruce Bochy's managerial genius, finally brought Texas its first title. The Rangers' resilience—rebounding from the 2011 collapse to eventually win—has endeared them to their devoted fanbase.
Source: Claude