Franchise Timeline

1980

Apr 29, 1980: Corbett sells majority interest in Rangers to H.E. (Eddie) Chiles.

May 3, 1980: Fergie Jenkins becomes the fourth pitcher in history to win 100 games in each league when he downs Baltimore, 3-2, at Arlington Stadium.

Nov 12, 1980: Former Senator Don Zimmer is named as the Rangers' eighth manager.

1981

Apr 30, 1981: Lefthander Rick Honeycutt sets a club record with his fourth consecutive shutout, a 7-0 five-hitter over the Royals at Arlington Stadium.

May 25, 1981: Bill Stein sets an AL record with his seventh consecutive pinch hit, breaking the mark of Baltimore's Bob Johnson.

June 11, 1981: Fergie Jenkins and the Rangers blow a 3-1 sixth-inning lead as the Brewers rally for a 6-3 victory on the last day before the players' strike. Had Texas held on to win, it would have remained in first place and clinched a playoff spot.

1982

July 4-7-10, 1982: Larry Parrish ties a Major League record with three grand slams in one week. In 10 games, Parrish collects 19 rbi and bats .514 (18-35).

July 28, 1982: Don Zimmer is dismissed as Rangers' manager. Coach Darrell Johnson is named interim manager.

Nov 1, 1982: Former Astros third baseman Doug Rader is tabbed as Rangers skipper.

1983

July 3, 1983: The Rangers set a Major League record by scoring 12 runs in an extra inning. Texas send 16 batters to the plate in the 15th inning at Oakland to post a 16-4 victory.

Aug 11, 1983: The City of Arlington and the Rangers announce a new option contract giving the ballclub complete control of Arlington Stadium.

Oct, 1983: The Rangers finish the season with a 3.31 ERA and a .962 fielding percentage, both best in the American League.

1984

Sept 30, 1984: California's Mike Witt becomes the 13th pitcher in big league history to pitch a perfect game when he retires 27 straight Rangers at Arlington Stadium.

1985

Apr 29, 1985: Larry Parrish hits three homers as Texas beats the Yankees, 7-5, at Arlington Stadium. It is the fourth time in his career for Parrish to accomplish the feat and he becomes the fifth player in Major League history to do it in both leagues.

May 16, 1985: Bobby Valentine is named to succeed Doug Rader as Rangers manager.

July 23, 1985: Oddibe McDowell becomes the first Ranger ever to hit for the cycle with a 5-for-5 effort against the Cleveland Indians at Arlington Stadium. His eight consecutive hits (three the previous game) tie a team record.

1987

Nov 3, 1987: The Rangers purchase Arlington Stadium from the City of Arlington.

1988

Dec 7, 1988: 41-year-old pitcher Nolan Ryan signs with the Rangers as a free agent.

1989

Mar 18, 1989: An investor group led by George W. Bush and Edward W. (Rusty) Rose purchases controlling interest in the Rangers from Eddie Chiles.

Aug 22, 1989: Nolan Ryan strikes out Oakland's Rickey Henderson to become the first pitcher in Major League history to record 5,000 career strikeouts.