1974 Texas Rangers season
Encyclopedia
The Texas Rangers
season involved the Rangers finishing second in the American League West
with a record of 84 wins and 76 losses (two rained-out games were never completed). It would be only the second time in franchise history (to that point) that the club finished over .500 and the first since the club relocated to Arlington, Texas
. The club became the first (and, to date, only) team to finish over .500 after two consecutive 100-loss seasons.
won 25 games for the Rangers, which was Jenkins' personal best for a season and remains the Rangers franchise record for wins by a pitcher in one season. He would also be the third pitcher in the history of the American League to win 25 games in the 20th century and not win the Cy Young Award.
history, fans at Cleveland Municipal Stadium for a Cleveland Indians
vs. Texas Rangers game were served as many beer
s as they wanted for just 10¢
each. After numerous instances of drunken fans throwing debris or running onto the field — "streaking
" in many instances — the situation boiled over in the 9th inning when a fan ran onto the field and snatched Rangers outfielder Jeff Burroughs
' cap and glove. Burroughs' teammates charged out to his aid, followed by hundreds of rioting Cleveland fans who poured out onto the field.
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
season involved the Rangers finishing second in the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
with a record of 84 wins and 76 losses (two rained-out games were never completed). It would be only the second time in franchise history (to that point) that the club finished over .500 and the first since the club relocated to Arlington, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
. The club became the first (and, to date, only) team to finish over .500 after two consecutive 100-loss seasons.
Offseason
- October 25, 1973: Bill MadlockBill MadlockBill "Mad Dog" Madlock, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. From 1973 to 1987, Madlock was a right-handed hitter who won several National League batting titles. His record of four batting titles as a third baseman would be eclipsed in 1988 by Wade Boggs. Since 1970, only Tony Gwynn has...
and Vic HarrisVic Harris (second baseman)Victor Lanier Harris is a former Major League Baseball player. He played all or part of eight seasons in the majors between and...
were traded by the Rangers to the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Ferguson JenkinsFerguson JenkinsFerguson Arthur "Fergie" Jenkins, CM, is a Canadian former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He was a three-time All-Star and the 1971 NL Cy Young Award winner. In 1991, Jenkins was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. During a 19-year career, he pitched for four different teams,...
.
Regular season
During the season, Ferguson JenkinsFerguson Jenkins
Ferguson Arthur "Fergie" Jenkins, CM, is a Canadian former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He was a three-time All-Star and the 1971 NL Cy Young Award winner. In 1991, Jenkins was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. During a 19-year career, he pitched for four different teams,...
won 25 games for the Rangers, which was Jenkins' personal best for a season and remains the Rangers franchise record for wins by a pitcher in one season. He would also be the third pitcher in the history of the American League to win 25 games in the 20th century and not win the Cy Young Award.
Ten Cent Beer Night
On June 4, in one of the most remarkably ill-conceived promotions in Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
history, fans at Cleveland Municipal Stadium for a Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
vs. Texas Rangers game were served as many beer
Beer
Beer is the world's most widely consumed andprobably oldest alcoholic beverage; it is the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of sugars, mainly derived from malted cereal grains, most commonly malted barley and malted wheat...
s as they wanted for just 10¢
Dime (United States coin)
The dime is a coin 10 cents, one tenth of a United States dollar, labeled formally as "one dime". The denomination was first authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792. The dime is the smallest in diameter and is the thinnest of all U.S...
each. After numerous instances of drunken fans throwing debris or running onto the field — "streaking
Streaking
Streaking is the act of running nude through a public place.-History:On 5 July 1799, a Friday evening at 7 o'clock, a naked man was arrested at the Mansion House, London, and sent to the Poultry Compter...
" in many instances — the situation boiled over in the 9th inning when a fan ran onto the field and snatched Rangers outfielder Jeff Burroughs
Jeff Burroughs
Jeffrey Alan Burroughs is a former player in Major League Baseball. From through , he played for the Washington Senators , Texas Rangers , Atlanta Braves , Seattle Mariners , Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays . Burroughs batted and threw right-handed...
' cap and glove. Burroughs' teammates charged out to his aid, followed by hundreds of rioting Cleveland fans who poured out onto the field.
Notable transactions
- April 25, 1974: Mike KekichMike KekichMichael Dennis Kekich was a Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and Seattle Mariners between 1965 and 1977...
was signed as a free agent by the Rangers. - June 5, 1974: 1974 Major League Baseball Draft1974 Major League Baseball draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1974 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :With the number one pick of the June regular phase, San Diego tabbed infielder Bill Almon from Brown University, one of six shortstops selected in round one...
- Tommy BoggsTommy BoggsThomas Winton Boggs is a former professional baseball pitcher. Boggs pitched in all or part of nine seasons in Major League Baseball between 1976 and 1985....
was drafted by the Rangers in the 1st round (2nd pick). - Gary GrayGary Gray (baseball)Gary George Gray is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played parts of six seasons from until...
was drafted by the Rangers in the 10th round.
- Tommy Boggs
Roster
| 1974 Texas Rangers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Batting
| = Indicates team leader |
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos. | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 132 | 368 | 91 | .247 | 3 | 36 | |
| 1B | 131 | 415 | 134 | .323 | 4 | 66 | |
| 2B | 121 | 474 | 112 | .236 | 3 | 42 | |
| 3B | 151 | 520 | 157 | .302 | 1 | 49 | |
| SS | 161 | 573 | 149 | .260 | 21 | 74 | |
| LF | 114 | 453 | 132 | .291 | 4 | 41 | |
| CF | 113 | 283 | 63 | .223 | 2 | 26 | |
| RF | 152 | 554 | 167 | .301 | 25 | 118 | |
| DH | 118 | 352 | 98 | .278 | 7 | 74 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 138 | 562 | 164 | .292 | 4 | 58 | |
| 84 | 259 | 66 | .255 | 9 | 32 | |
| 78 | 230 | 60 | .261 | 12 | 34 | |
| 34 | 92 | 25 | .272 | 0 | 7 | |
| 54 | 76 | 15 | .197 | 0 | 5 | |
| 13 | 44 | 11 | .250 | 1 | 3 | |
| 16 | 31 | 7 | .226 | 0 | 0 | |
| 9 | 15 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 5 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 264 | 19 | 19 | 4.74 | 149 | |
| 41 | 328.1 | 25 | 12 | 2.82 | 225 | |
| 35 | 216.2 | 13 | 12 | 3.57 | 134 | |
| 28 | 117 | 3 | 9 | 4.38 | 52 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 29 | 0 | 4 | 8.07 | 15 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 2.24 | 106 | |
| 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.13 | 18 | |
| 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6.55 | 18 | |
| 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.59 | 8 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19.29 | 1 |
Awards and honors
- Jeff BurroughsJeff BurroughsJeffrey Alan Burroughs is a former player in Major League Baseball. From through , he played for the Washington Senators , Texas Rangers , Atlanta Braves , Seattle Mariners , Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays . Burroughs batted and threw right-handed...
, AL MVP - Mike HargroveMike HargroveDudley Michael Hargrove is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. He is currently employed as an advisor with the Cleveland Indians....
, AL Rookie of the Year - Ferguson JenkinsFerguson JenkinsFerguson Arthur "Fergie" Jenkins, CM, is a Canadian former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He was a three-time All-Star and the 1971 NL Cy Young Award winner. In 1991, Jenkins was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. During a 19-year career, he pitched for four different teams,...
, Comeback Player of The Year - Billy MartinBilly MartinAlfred Manuel "Billy" Martin, Jr. was an American Major League Baseball second baseman and manager. He is best known as the manager of the New York Yankees, a position he held five different times...
, Associated Press AL Manager of the Year
All-Stars
1974 Major League Baseball All-Star Game1974 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1974 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 45th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 23, 1974, at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
- Jeff Burroughs, left field, starter
- Jim SundbergJim SundbergJames Howard Sundberg is a former professional baseball catcher known for being one of the best defensive catchers of his era. He played for a number of Major League teams, most significantly the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, with whom we won a World Championship...
, reserve