The Texas Rangers are on the verge of winning their first-ever World Series title. They are just one win away from achieving this historic feat in the franchise’s history. The Rangers have never been able to capture the ultimate prize in all their years in Major League Baseball. They are among the six teams that have never won a World Series, along with the Mariners, Padres, Rays, Rockies, and Brewers. However, the Rangers hold the distinction of being the oldest franchise among these teams to have never won it all. This is a golden opportunity for them to change that narrative and make history.
The Rangers’ journey to the World Series has been filled with close calls and near misses. This is their third appearance in the Fall Classic, with their previous two attempts ending in disappointment. It is important to understand the significance of this moment for the Rangers by revisiting their history of falling short in their quest for a World Series victory.
The early and fruitless years
The Rangers’ origins can be traced back to 1961 when the second version of the Washington Senators was established. They moved to Arlington before the 1972 season and became the Texas Rangers. In their early years, they struggled to find success, enduring multiple losing seasons. It took them until 1974 to achieve their first winning season in Texas, but they finished second in their division. Their best season before that was in 1977, when they won 94 games, but were surpassed by the 102-win Kansas City Royals in the AL West.
The absurdity of 1994
In 1994, the Rangers had a unique opportunity to secure their first division title. Due to the expansion of the league and the addition of the Rockies and Marlins, there were uneven numbers of teams in each league and divisions. As a result, the American League West, which included the Rangers, had only four teams. Despite having a losing record, the Rangers were in first place when the season abruptly ended due to a labor stoppage. They were 10 games below .500 but still leading the division. While this was a remarkable situation, it was ultimately a missed opportunity as the season was never completed.
Playoff breakthroughs (and playoff losses)
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw the Rangers make strides towards playoff success. Led by a talented lineup including players like Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez, and Rusty Greer, they won their first division title in 1996. However, they were eliminated in the ALDS by the emerging New York Yankees dynasty. The Rangers won the division again in 1998 and 1999 but fell to the Yankees in the ALDS on both occasions. Despite their regular season success, they struggled to advance in the playoffs.
In 2010, the Rangers experienced a resurgence under manager Ron Washington. They clinched their second division title and won their first postseason series by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS. They then went on to eliminate the defending-champion Yankees in the ALCS, securing their first-ever pennant. However, their World Series dreams were dashed by the San Francisco Giants in five games.
Game 6, 2011 World Series
The 2011 World Series will forever be etched in the memory of Rangers fans. They returned to the Fall Classic for the second consecutive year and faced the St. Louis Cardinals. The series was filled with dramatic moments, but none more memorable than Game 6.
The Rangers were just one strike away from winning their first World Series title, not once but twice. However, the Cardinals rallied back in both instances, ultimately forcing a Game 7. The Rangers lost Game 7, and their dream of a championship was once again shattered.
And now for the now
In recent years, the Rangers have made sporadic appearances in the postseason but have struggled to advance deep into October. However, with the current roster and key additions like Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, they have built a competitive team. The Rangers’ management has made significant moves to strengthen the lineup, with the majority of their regular starters being either signed, traded for, or drafted under their former general manager, Jon Daniels.
Now, the Rangers find themselves in the 2023 World Series, just one win away from capturing their first-ever championship. This moment carries immense significance for the franchise, given their history of missed opportunities and near-misses. The Rangers have the chance to rewrite their narrative and etch their names in baseball history by finally hoisting the World Series trophy.
