ARLINGTON -- The Ballpark in Arlington opened with a memorable rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner by internationally renown pianist Van Cliburn and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra on Opening Day in 1994.
Now known as Globe Life Park, the facility will officially close with another internationally known superstar and the promise of another incredible moment. Billy Joel will play the final concert at Globe Life on Oct. 12. Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. CT Friday and will be available at livenation.com.
"We've got Billy Joel coming to Arlington … how exciting is that?" Arlington mayor Jeff Williams said.
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels concurred. Like Joel, Daniels is a native of New York City and a big fan. He attended a Billy Joel concert with his wife, Robyn, on his 40th anniversary a few years ago in San Antonio.
"An outstanding experience," Daniels said. "It will be even more special to see him at Globe Life Park, a facility we have so many memories of."
The 2019 season will be the final one at Globe Life Park. The Rangers are planning to move into Globe Life Field right across the street for the '20 season. The current facility will undergo significant renovations and the Joel concert -- produced by Live Nation -- will be the final one under its current configuration as a Major League ballpark.

"It is going to be an amazing show," said Live Nation's Anthony Nicolaidis. "I can't think of a better way to celebrate the history of Globe Life Park."
Globe Life Park has been the site of great baseball, including seven division titles and two American League pennants for the Rangers. But it has also hosted many world-famous musical acts since that spring afternoon in 1994 when Cliburn and the FWSO delivered a soul-stirring national anthem.
Country legend Charley Pride has always been a huge favorite, and Lyle Lovett delivered the national anthem at the 1995 All-Star Game. The long list of others includes Jessica Simpson, Kelly Clarkson, Reba McEntire, Clint Black, Robert Earl Keen, Kenny Chesney and Neal McCoy.
Another big one is coming June 14 when Paul McCartney plays Globe Life Park for the first time. There will be others this year, but Joel will close it out. He has been an American music legend since 1971 and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Joel has 33 Top 40 hits, three that went to the top of the charts. He has sold more than 150 million records worldwide and won six Grammy Awards and Kennedy Center honors.
The singer/songwriter/composer is the sixth best selling recording artist of all time and the third best selling solo artist. In 2016, the Library of Congress selected Joe's song "Piano Man" for preservation in the National Recording Registry for its "cultural, historic, and artistic significance."
The list goes on and on.
"Billy Joel is an iconic artist and we are thrilled to have such a respected musician perform at Globe Life Park," Rangers vice president of operations and events Sean Decker said. "The concert will create a legendary experience for baseball and music fans alike, especially as the final concert at Globe Life Park."