It was late at night on October 12, 2010 when Cliff Lee got B.J. Upton to pop out. And in that instant the Rangers had claimed a postseason series for the first time in franchise history.

It was a long time coming. Surely when General Elwood Richard Quesada bought the franchise and it played its first game on April 10, 1961, he wouldn’t have expected it would take the club half a century to claim a postseason series win, but it did.

Maybe the franchise’s first game back in 1961 should have been seen as a prelude of things to come. In that game the White Sox beat the Senators 4-3. Or maybe another prelude came out west after the club moved to Arlington. It was April 15, 1972, and the Rangers lost their first game. The California Angels beat them 1-0.

For years the Rangers have been unable to quite put it together. Sometimes, especially in the ‘70s, the pitching shined, but the offense struggled. Or more often it’s been the other way around.

The Rangers haven’t had much postseason success (or appearances), but the club definitely doesn’t lack when it comes to great players, amazing stories, and incredible games.

Some true stars have spent time in Arlington: Fergie Jenkins, Bert Blyleven, Nolan Ryan, Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez, Josh Hamilton … and the list just gets longer.

Every one of these guys is prominent in this book. But there are many more who Ranger fans may have forgotten: Dave Hostetler, Odie Davis, Steve Dreyer, Matt Whiteside, Hal King. They all have done their part to help etch out a little bit of Ranger history.

Sometimes it’s the moments: no-hitters, perfect games, triple plays, forfeited games, mammoth home runs, cycles, and even fights. The Texas Rangers have seen them all, and they are all found in this book.

Now the Rangers are winning, and that makes us Ranger fans ecstatic, but we also know that it’s about more than just wins and losses. It’s about the players and people who have woven the fabric of baseball in the heart of Texas. It’s about getting to the park early and staying late. It’s about cheering on the Rangers and having conversations with your buddies that start with, “Remember when …”

Product Description

The Texas Rangers may not always win, but they’re usually really exciting. Now you can read about them in the completely original Sports by the Numbers series. The Rangers have managed four playoff appearances heading into 2011, and became the A.L. champs in 2010. In all, the club has finished over .500 just 18 times. But it’s more than made up for any lack of success in the win column with great players, amazing moments, crazy characters, tremendous plays, and wild games.

Kenny Rogers had quite a night in July 1994. And how excited were we on October 1, 1996, thanks to John Burkett? Nolan Ryan’s first bid at win number 300 failed, but late-inning heroics saved the day. Oddibe McDowell and Bengie Molina have something in common. Michael Young has racked up a few hits in Arlington, and Mickey Rivers did as well.

All these stories and so much more can be found in a unique format that provides 250 numbers, with each telling a story about Ranger history: facts, anomalies, records, coincidences, and enthralling lore and trivia from the legends, stars, and even the forgotten players.

This book isn’t just for the diehard Rangers fan. It’s for every fan who enjoys watching the Rangers and wants to learn more about their favorite team.

Texas Rangers (Sports by the Numbers)

From the Back of the Book

Think back to a time when you walked through the gates with your dad at the old Arlington Stadium to watch Geno Petralli, Buddy Bell, and Pete O’Brien on a scorching Saturday afternoon.

Or to a time when you made your way to the new Ballpark with your son when he was excited and wearing his glove with dreams of catching a foul ball at his first big-league game. Did you keep score while Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Cliff Lee, and the rest of the squad won once again and came closer to that elusive playoff series victory?

Picture your favorite players through the years: Jeff Burroughs, Oddibe McDowell, Toby Harrah, Ruben Sierra, Julio Franco, Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez, Rusty Greer, Nolan Ryan, Bobby Witt, Charlie Hough, Gaylord Perry.

All of them are found in this book.

And with each story you’ll be able to wipe away the cobwebs of your memory or learn amazing Ranger facts that you didn’t know before. You’ll relive those trips to the ballpark and remember exactly why in your heart the Texas Rangers are the greatest baseball team in the world.

About the Author

Zac Robinson is a teacher, coach and baseball fan. He is also passionate about Mixed Martial Arts and has written books on both subjects, to include the following titles:

• Mixed Martial Arts: An Interactive Guide to the World of Sports (Sports by the Numbers)
• Mixed Martial Arts IQ: The Ultimate Test of True Fandom (Volume I)
• Ranger Up Presents Mixed Martial Arts IQ: The Ultimate Test of True Fandom (Volume II)
• From the Fields to the Garden: The Life of Stitch Duran
• San Francisco Giants: An Interactive Guide to the World of Sports (Sports by the Numbers)

Texas Rangers: An Interactive Guide to the World of Sports (Volume 1)