Tom Schieffer Selected to Texas Rangers Baseball Hall of Fame

Arlington, Texas-Tom Schieffer, whose tenure as the franchise's chief executive was highlighted by his role in the building of a new ballpark in Arlington, has been selected as the 17^th member of the Texas Rangers Baseball Hall of Fame, it was announced today.

The Rangers will hold a media availability at 2:45 p.m. TODAY, Tuesday, May 20 in the media interview room at Globe Life Park in Arlington to introduce Tom Schieffer as the newest Hall of Fame member. Tom Grieve will introduce Schieffer at that availability.

Schieffer was selected for the Rangers' highest honor for his contributions to the franchise in a "non-playing capacity", joining Johnny Oates (2003), Tom Vandergriff (2004), Mark Holtz (2005), Tom Grieve (2010), and Eric Nadel (2012) as Hall of Famers in that category.

Schieffer will be inducted into the Rangers Hall of Fame during pre-game ceremonies on Saturday, August 23 before the Rangers game with the Kansas City Royals. Schieffer will also be honored at the Texas Rangers Dr Pepper Hall of Fame Luncheon on Friday, August 22 at the Arlington Convention Center with net proceeds benefitting the Rangers Baseball Foundation.

In a long and distinguished career as a Texas politician, decorated United States diplomat, and expert on international affairs, Schieffer considers his efforts to make a new ballpark for the Rangers a reality a memorable time.

"Out of all the things I've done, from a pure enjoyment standpoint, that was the most enjoyable," says Schieffer. "It was so much fun to see the creativity involved. It was connecting the dots differently than they'd been connected in the past."

An original investor in the ownership group headed by George W. Bush and Edward (Rusty) Rose that purchased the team in April 1989, Schieffer was named Partner-in-Charge of Ballpark Development on July 26, 1990 with the goal of securing a new facility to replace Arlington Stadium. Less than three months later on October 24, 1990, the Rangers and the City of Arlington announced plans for the construction of a new ballpark complex to be funded through a public-private partnership.

After City of Arlington voters overwhelmingly approved the funding in a January 1991 bond election, Schieffer was appointed as the Rangers President in February 1991. While he oversaw the entire Rangers organization in that role, much of his focus over the next three years concerned the vision, design, and construction of the new park. Built on time and on budget, The Ballpark in Arlington opened to rave reviews in April 1994.

The new ballpark not only provided the Rangers franchise with additional revenue potential to help field a more competitive team on the field but also enhanced the prestige of the organization in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and nationwide. Twenty years later, now Globe Life Park in Arlington remains one of the most beautiful facilities in Major League Baseball.

Under Schieffer's tenure as President, the franchise advanced to its first ever post-season appearance as American League West Division champs in 1996 while also increasing its commitment on the scouting and player development side. Acutely aware of the importance of being a strong community partner, Schieffer created the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation in 1992 with an early goal of building youth ballparks in North Texas. The Rangers also hosted the 1995 Major League Baseball All-Star Game as an event that involved the entire DFW Metroplex.

Schieffer added the role of General Partner of the franchise following Bush's election as Governor of Texas in November 1994. After the purchase of the Rangers by Thomas O. Hicks in June 1998, Schieffer stayed on as team President until April 1999. A plaque recognizing his accomplishments in the building of the ballpark was dedicated on the façade by the home plate gate in August 2000.

He served as the United States Ambassador to Australia from 2001-05 and to Japan from 2005-09 and has been recognized repeatedly for his leadership and organizational skills, particularly in the area of intelligence. He is the Founder and President of Envoy International LLC, a consulting firm that provides a wide range of services to international companies, including Major League Baseball.

A native of Fort Worth, Schieffer graduated from Arlington Heights High School and attended the University of Texas, where he earned a B.A. and M.A. in international relations and studied law. He served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives and practiced corporate law in Fort Worth, specializing in oil and gas cases.     

Beginning with the 2009 inductions, a selection committee meets to consider individuals for the Hall of Fame based on their playing contributions in every odd year. In even years, individuals in a non-playing capacity are considered for induction.