Offseason

• November 14, 1979: Eric Soderholm
  Eric Soderholm
  Eric Thane Soderholm is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who played for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, and New York Yankees from 1971 to 1980...
  
   was traded by the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees for players to be named later and cash. The New York Yankees sent Amos Lewis (minors) (December 13, 1979) and Ricky Burdette (minors) (December 13, 1979) to the Texas Rangers to complete the trade.
• December 6, 1979: Doyle Alexander
  Doyle Alexander
  Doyle Lafayette Alexander is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, and Detroit Tigers...
  
  , Larvell Blanks
  Larvell Blanks
  Larvell Blanks is a retired American Major League Baseball infielder.Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 3rd round of the 1969 MLB amateur draft, Blanks would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Atlanta Braves on July 19, 1972, and appeared in his final game on August 3, 1980.Blanks'...
  
   and $50,000 were traded by the Rangers to the Atlanta Braves
  Atlanta Braves
  The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
  
   for Adrian Devine
  Adrian Devine
  Paul Adrian Devine was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1973 to 1980 for the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers. Devine primarily pitched in relief and had his best season in 1977 with the Rangers when he posted a win-loss record of 11–6 with 15 saves. He and his wife breed Cavalier King...
  
   and Pepe Frías
  Pepe Frias
  Jesús María "Pepe" Frías Andújar is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played from 1973-1981.-External links:...
  
  .
• January 4, 1980: Larry McCall
  Larry McCall
  Larry Stephen McCall was born in Asheville, North Carolina. He is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played Major League Baseball with the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers professional baseball teams during his career...
  
  , Gary Gray
  Gary Gray (baseball)
  Gary George Gray is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played parts of six seasons from until...
  
  , and Mike Bucci (minors) were traded by the Rangers to the Cleveland Indians
  Cleveland Indians
  The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
  
   for David Clyde
  David Clyde
  David Eugene Clyde is a former left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played all or part of five seasons for the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians...
  
   and Jim Norris
  Jim Norris
  James Francis Norris is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball from 1977 to 1980 for the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers, playing all three outfield positions.-External links:...
  
  .
• January 11, 1980: 1980 Major League Baseball Draft
  1980 Major League Baseball Draft
  -First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1980 Major League Baseball draft.- Compensation Picks :*William Erickson, was drafted in the second round by the San Francisco Giants, 31st pick overall. *Jeff Horne was drafted in the second round by the Pittsburgh Pirates,...
  
  
  • Billy Taylor was drafted by the Rangers in the 2nd round. Player signed March 24, 1980.
  • Al Newman
    Al Newman
    Albert Dwayne Newman is a former infielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Montreal Expos , Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers...
    
     was drafted by the Rangers in the 3rd round, but did not sign.
  • Daryl Smith
    Daryl Smith (baseball)
    Daryl Clinton Smith is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in 1980, he did not make his major league debut until ten years later. He pitched two games for the Kansas City Royals in , then continued to pitch in the minor leagues in , finishing his career...
    
     was drafted by the Rangers in the 6th round.
• February 15, 1980: Willie Montañez
  Willie Montañez
  Guillermo Montañez Naranjo is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Even though he was productive, Montañez often carried the label "hot dog" for the whimsical manner in which he approached the game. After hitting home runs, he would trot very slowly around the bases, shuffling his feet on...
  
   was traded by the Rangers to the San Diego Padres
  San Diego Padres
  The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
  
   for Gaylord Perry
  Gaylord Perry
  Gaylord Jackson Perry is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1962-1983 for eight different teams in his career. During a 22-year baseball career, Perry compiled 314 wins, 3,534 strikeouts, and a 3.11 earned run average...
  
  , Tucker Ashford
  Tucker Ashford
  Thomas Steven Ashford was a third baseman for the San Diego Padres , Texas Rangers , New York Yankees , New York Mets and Kansas City Royals ....
  
   and Joe Carroll (minors).
• March 31, 1980: La Rue Washington
  La Rue Washington
  La Rue Washington is a former Major League Baseball player. Washington played for the Texas Rangers in and . He batted and threw right-handed....
  
   and Chris Smith were traded by the Rangers to the Montreal Expos
  Washington Nationals
  The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
  
   for Rusty Staub
  Rusty Staub
  Daniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...
  
  .
• March 31, 1980: David Clyde was released by the Rangers.

Notable transactions

• June 3, 1980: Tom Henke
  Tom Henke
  Thomas Anthony Henke , nicknamed "The Terminator" because of his ability and success as a closer, is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared closers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, pitching for the Texas Rangers , Toronto Blue Jays , and St...
  
   was drafted by the Rangers in the 4th round of the 1980 Major League Baseball Draft
  1980 Major League Baseball Draft
  -First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1980 Major League Baseball draft.- Compensation Picks :*William Erickson, was drafted in the second round by the San Francisco Giants, 31st pick overall. *Jeff Horne was drafted in the second round by the Pittsburgh Pirates,...
  
   (Secondary Phase).
• July 11, 1980: Charlie Hough
  Charlie Hough
  Charles Oliver Hough is a former Major League Baseball knuckleball pitcher. He is currently a senior adviser of player development for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Playing career:...
  
   was purchased by the Rangers from the Los Angeles Dodgers
  Los Angeles Dodgers
  The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
  
  .
• August 14, 1980: Gaylord Perry
  Gaylord Perry
  Gaylord Jackson Perry is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1962-1983 for eight different teams in his career. During a 22-year baseball career, Perry compiled 314 wins, 3,534 strikeouts, and a 3.11 earned run average...
  
   was traded by the Rangers to the New York Yankees
  New York Yankees
  The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
  
   for Ken Clay
  Ken Clay
  Kenneth Earl Clay is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played in the major leagues from to for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, and Seattle Mariners. Clay appeared at the Old-Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium...
  
   and a player to be named later. The Yankees completed the deal by sending Marvin Thompson (minors) to the Rangers on October 1.
• September 13, 1980: Sparky Lyle
  Sparky Lyle
  Albert Walter "Sparky" Lyle is an American former left-handed relief pitcher who spent sixteen seasons in Major League Baseball . He was a closer from 1969 to 1977, first for the Boston Red Sox and then the New York Yankees. A three-time All-Star, he won the American League Cy Young Award in 1977...
  
   was traded by the Rangers to the Philadelphia Phillies
  Philadelphia Phillies
  The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
  
   for a player to be named later. The Phillies completed the deal by sending Kevin Saucier
  Kevin Saucier
  Kevin Andrew Saucier was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1978 to 1982 for the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers. Nicknamed "Hot Sauce", Saucier , was an energetic pitcher who would often display his emotions while on the mound...
  
   to the Rangers on November 19.

Roster

Starters by position

Other batters

Starting pitchers

Other pitchers

Relief pitchers

Awards and honors

• Buddy Bell
  Buddy Bell
  David Gus "Buddy" Bell is a former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. After an 18-year career with four teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers, he managed the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals for three seasons each...
  
  , 3B, Gold Glove 1980
• Al Oliver
  Al Oliver
  Albert Oliver, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. Over the course of his 18-year career, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Texas Rangers , Montreal Expos , San Francisco Giants , Philadelphia Phillies , Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays...
  
  , Silver Slugger Award, 1980
• Jim Sundberg
  Jim Sundberg
  James Howard Sundberg is a former professional baseball catcher known for being one of the best defensive catchers of his era. He played for a number of Major League teams, most significantly the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, with whom we won a World Championship...
  
  , C, Gold Glove, 1980

Farm system