1996 Texas Rangers season
Encyclopedia
The Texas Rangers
1996 season
involved the Rangers finishing 1st in the American League
west with a record of 90 wins and 72 losses. It would be the first post-season appearance for the Rangers in franchise history.
The Rangers would win their first post-season game at Yankee Stadium
against the New York Yankees
, but would lose the last three games to lose the division series. The one post-season win would be the club's only post-season success until 2010
.
, New York
, New York
All-Star Game
Hudson Valley affiliation shared with Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
1996 season
1996 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves ; John Wetteland, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Bernie Williams**American League Division Series*National League Championship Series MVP: Javy López...
involved the Rangers finishing 1st in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
west with a record of 90 wins and 72 losses. It would be the first post-season appearance for the Rangers in franchise history.
The Rangers would win their first post-season game at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
against 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...
, but would lose the last three games to lose the division series. The one post-season win would be the club's only post-season success until 2010
2010 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2010 season was the 50th in franchise history. The team, managed by Ron Washington, won their first division title since 1999 and reached the World Series for the first time in only their fourth playoff appearance. Washington would become only the second manager in franchise...
.
Offseason
- October 8, 1995: Scott PodsednikScott PodsednikScott Eric Podsednik is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Podsednik led the major leagues in stolen bases in with 70.-Minor leagues:...
was sent by the Rangers to the Florida MarlinsFlorida MarlinsThe Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
to complete an earlier deal (the Rangers sent players to be named later to the Marlins for Bobby WittBobby WittRobert Andrew Witt was a pitcher for the Major League Baseball Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Florida Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Cleveland Indians, and Arizona Diamondbacks....
, and sent Wilson HerediaWilson HerediaWilson Heredia is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played two seasons with the Texas Rangers. He batted and threw right-handed.-Playing career:...
to the Marlins on August 11) and made on August 8, 1995. - December 21, 1995: Ken HillKen Hill (baseball)Kenneth Wade Hill is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 14-year career, he pitched from 1988-2001 for seven different teams. He pitched in the 1995 World Series as a member of the Cleveland Indians. He also appeared in the 1994 All-Star Game in Pittsburgh's Three Rivers...
was signed as a free agent by the Rangers. - December 22, 1995: Mike HennemanMike HennemanMichael Alan Henneman was a pitcher with a 10-year career from 1987 to 1996. He played for the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers, both of the American League, and the Houston Astros of the National League....
was signed as a free agent by the Rangers. - January 16, 1996: Kevin ElsterKevin ElsterKevin Daniel Elster is a retired Major League Baseball shortstop.Elster played for six different ballclubs during his career: the New York Mets , New York Yankees , Philadelphia Phillies , Texas Rangers , Pittsburgh Pirates , and Los Angeles Dodgers...
was signed as a Free Agent with the Texas Rangers.
Notable transactions
- April 13, 1996: Jack VoigtJack VoigtJohn David Voigt is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of seven seasons in the majors, from until , for the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Oakland Athletics...
was signed as a free agent by the Rangers. - June 4, 1996: Travis HafnerTravis HafnerTravis Lee Hafner is a left-handed hitting designated hitter for the Cleveland Indians of the American League Central Division. His nickname, "Pronk", was given to him by former teammate Bill Selby during spring training of when people sometimes referred to him as "The Project" and other times...
was drafted by the Rangers in the 31st round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft1996 Major League Baseball DraftThe 1996 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 4 and 5, 1996...
. Player signed June 2, 1997. - July 31, 1996: Mark BrandenburgMark Brandenburg (baseball)Mark Clay Brandenburg is a former middle-relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox . Brandenburg batted and threw right-handed...
and Kerry LacyKerry LacyKerry Ardeen Lacy is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Red Sox...
were traded by the Rangers to the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
for Mike Stanton and a player to be named later. The Red Sox completed the deal by sending Dwayne HoseyDwayne HoseyDwayne Samuel Hosey is a former Major League Baseball outfielder for the Boston Red Sox. He threw right-handed, and was a switch hitter....
to the Rangers on November 4.
Roster
| 1996 Texas Rangers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches (pitching) (bench) (bullpen) (hitting) (first base) (third base) |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|
Other batters
| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Voigt Jack Voigt John David Voigt is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of seven seasons in the majors, from until , for the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Oakland Athletics... |
5 | 9 | 1 | .111 | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby Witt Bobby Witt Robert Andrew Witt was a pitcher for the Major League Baseball Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Florida Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Cleveland Indians, and Arizona Diamondbacks.... |
33 | 199.2 | 16 | 12 | 5.41 | 157 |
Other pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|
Relief pitchers
| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|
Game 1, October 1
Yankee Stadium, The BronxThe Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Game 2, October 2
Yankee Stadium, The BronxThe Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Game 3, October 4
The Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, TexasArlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
Game 4, October 5
The Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, TexasArlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
Awards and honors
- Kevin ElsterKevin ElsterKevin Daniel Elster is a retired Major League Baseball shortstop.Elster played for six different ballclubs during his career: the New York Mets , New York Yankees , Philadelphia Phillies , Texas Rangers , Pittsburgh Pirates , and Los Angeles Dodgers...
, Comeback Player of The Year - Juan González, AL MVP
- Juan González, Silver Slugger Award
- Johnny OatesJohnny OatesJohnny Lane Oates was an American professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees from 1970 to 1981...
, AL Managers of the Year (was co-manager with Joe TorreJoe TorreJoseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
) - Iván RodríguezIván RodríguezIván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher...
, C, Gold Glove - Iván RodríguezIván RodríguezIván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher...
, Silver Slugger Award
All-Star Game
1996 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1996 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 67th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 9, 1996 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the...
Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Oklahoma CityHudson Valley affiliation shared with Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...