The first no-hitter is thrown by a Kansas City pitcher at Royals Stadium when Jim Colborn blanks the Rangers, 6-0. California’s fireballer Nolan Ryan recorded the first no-hitter in the ballpark during its inaugural season in 1971.
1977 – Houston bombs the Rangers in a 16-6 exhibition win in Oklahoma City. Willie Crawford drives in five runs but the moment nobody forgets is when Bob Watson doubles into a double play. Texas catcher Bill Fahey tags out both Enos Cabell and Jose Cruz at the plate.
On March 28, 1977 – Texas Rangers second baseman Lenny Randle, upset at losing his second base job to Bump Wills during spring training,(Wills batted 324 with Sacramento of the Pacific Coast League last year.) physically confronts manager Frank Lucchesi, sending him to the hospital with a shattered cheekbone. Lucchesi helps precipitate the incident, which…
On December 10, 1976, Texas Rangers shortstop Danny Thompson dies from leukemia two months short of his 30th birthday. The 29-year-old Thompson had been undergoing treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The Rangers had acquired Thompson from the Minnesota Twins on June 1, He led all shortstops in hitting in 1972 with a…
Hank Aaron becomes the oldest major leaguer (42 years, 5 months, 7 days) to hit a walk-off homer when he goes deep in the bottom of the tenth inning off Steve Foucault in the Brewers’ 5-4 victory over Texas at County Stadium. The ‘Hammer’ will hold the elderly distinction until Cleveland’s Jason Giambi, who will be a month and 15 days older than Henry, at the time, accomplishes the feat with a pinch-hit game-winning round-tripper in 2013.
On June 1, 1976, the Minnesota Twins trade ace pitcher Bert Blyleven and ailing shortstop Danny Thompson to the Texas Rangers for infielders Roy Smalley and Mike Cubbage, pitcher Bill Singer, and $250,000 in cash. Thompson, who is seriously ill with leukemia, will lose his battle with the disease on December 10.
The Texas Rangers trade future Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Juan Beniquez and two pitchers. A seven-time 20-game winner, Jenkins will win only 12 games for Boston next season.
On July 24, 1975, the Kansas City Royals fire Jack McKeon as manager and replace him with Whitey Herzog. The former Texas Rangers’ manager will lead the Royals to three consecutive Western Division titles.
On June 21, 1975, In the opener of a doubleheader, California Angels’ 21-year-old Frank Tanana strikes out 17 Rangers without a walk during a 4 – 2 win. Tanana struck out 5 straight at one point and gave up 9 hits, all singles, and strike out every batter at least once. His previous career-high was…
On June 13, 1975, the Cleveland Indians trade future Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry to the Texas Rangers for pitchers Jim Bibby, Jackie Brown, and Rick Waits, and $100,000 in cash. Perry will win 42 games for the Rangers over the next two and a half seasons.
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