1989 Texas Rangers season
Encyclopedia
The Texas Rangers
1989 season
involved the Rangers finishing fourth in the American League West
with a record of 83 wins and 79 losses.
All-Star Game
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...
1989 season
1989 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Oakland Athletics over San Francisco Giants ; Dave Stewart, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Rickey Henderson*National League Championship Series MVP: Will Clark...
involved the Rangers finishing fourth 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 83 wins and 79 losses.
Offseason
- October 11, 1988: Guy HoffmanGuy Hoffman (baseball)Guy Alan Hoffman is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of six seasons in the major leagues between and . After his major league career, he played three seasons for the Orix BlueWave in Japan from until -Sources:...
was released by the Rangers. - December 5, 1988: Paul KilgusPaul KilgusPaul Kilgus , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1987–1991 and 1993.-Fast Facts:* Kilgus won a career high 12 games for the Texas Rangers in...
, Mitch Williams, Curtis WilkersonCurtis WilkersonCurtis Vernon Wilkerson , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as a utility man from -....
, Steve WilsonSteve Wilson (baseball)Stephen Douglas Wilson is a retired Canadian Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher...
, Luis Benitez (minors) and Pablo Delgado (minors) 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...
in exchange for Rafael PalmeiroRafael PalmeiroRafael Palmeiro Corrales is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and left fielder. Palmeiro was an All-American at Mississippi State University before being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1985...
and Drew HallDrew HallAndrew Clark "Drew" Hall is a former Major League Baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs , Texas Rangers and Montreal Expos . He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, but grew up in Ashland, Kentucky and attended Paul G. Blazer High School. He then attended Morehead State University. He is most famous...
. - December 6, 1988: Pete O'BrienPete O'Brien (first baseman)Peter Michael O'Brien is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Texas Rangers , Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners...
, Oddibe McDowellOddibe McDowellOddibe McDowell is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves. McDowell was the first player to hit for the cycle for the Rangers when he accomplished that feat on July 23, 1985...
, and Jerry BrowneJerry BrowneJerome Austin "The Governor" Browne was a Major League Baseball second baseman from to . Currently, he is the hitting coach for the Syracuse Chiefs.-External links:...
were traded by the Rangers to the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe 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...
for Julio FrancoJulio FrancoJulio César Robles Franco is a former Major League Baseball infielder and designated hitter. In , Franco was the oldest active player in the major leagues at the age of 49....
. - December 7, 1988: Nolan RyanNolan RyanLynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
was signed as a free agent by the Rangers. - January 6, 1989: Cecilio GuanteCecilio GuanteCecilio Guante Magallane is a former professional Major League Baseball player who played from 1982 to 1990. He made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates and ended his career after playing with the Cleveland Indians. He finished his career with a 29-34 won/loss record and a 3.48 ERA...
was signed as a free agent by the Rangers. - January 6, 1989: 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...
was signed as a free agent by the Rangers. - January 23, 1989: Rick Leach was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.
Regular season
- June 16, 1989: Sammy SosaSammy SosaSamuel Peralta "Sammy" Sosa is a Dominican former professional baseball right fielder. Sosa played with four Major League Baseball teams over his career which spanned from 1989-2007....
made his major league debut in a game against the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. In four at-bats, Sosa appeared in 4 at-bats and had 2 hits. - August 22, 1989: Against the eventual World Champion Oakland A's1989 Oakland Athletics seasonThe Oakland Athletics season saw the A's finish in first place in the American League West division, with a record of 99 wins and 63 losses, seven games in front of the Kansas City Royals. It was their second consecutive AL West title, as well as the second straight year in which they finished...
, Ryan became the first pitcher ever to record 5,000 career strikeouts. He struck out Rickey HendersonRickey HendersonRickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
in the fifth inning to break the 5,000 barrier. - Rubén SierraRubén SierraRubén Angel Sierra García is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Sierra also goes by the nicknames El Caballo and El Indio....
had a career year as he led the AL in triples and RBI but ranked 6th in Home Runs (29), third in runs scored (101) and 5th in hits (194). He set the club record for most total bases in a season (344), which also led the league.
Notable transactions
- July 29, 1989: Sammy SosaSammy SosaSamuel Peralta "Sammy" Sosa is a Dominican former professional baseball right fielder. Sosa played with four Major League Baseball teams over his career which spanned from 1989-2007....
, Wilson AlvarezWilson AlvarezWilson Eduardo Álvarez Fuenmayor is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher...
, and Scott Fletcher were traded by the Rangers to the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Harold BainesHarold BainesHarold Douglas Baines is a former right fielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played for five American League teams from 1980 to 2001. He is best known for his three stints with the Chicago White Sox, the team on which he now serves as coach...
and Fred ManriqueFred ManriqueFred Eloy Manrique Reyes [man-RE-kay] is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , Montreal Expos , St. Louis Cardinals , Chicago White Sox , Texas Rangers , Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics...
.
Roster
| 1989 Texas Rangers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
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 | Chad Kreuter Chad Kreuter Chadden Michael "Chad" Kreuter is a former catcher in Major League Baseball and the former head coach of the USC Trojans baseball team.... |
87 | 158 | 24 | .152 | 5 | 9 |
| 1B | Rafael Palmeiro Rafael Palmeiro Rafael Palmeiro Corrales is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and left fielder. Palmeiro was an All-American at Mississippi State University before being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1985... |
156 | 559 | 154 | .275 | 8 | 64 |
| 2B | Julio Franco Julio Franco Julio César Robles Franco is a former Major League Baseball infielder and designated hitter. In , Franco was the oldest active player in the major leagues at the age of 49.... |
150 | 548 | 173 | .316 | 13 | 92 |
| 3B | Steve Buechele Steve Buechele Steven Bernard Buechele is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. Buechele played from to for the Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago Cubs. He joined the Rangers in after he was named the Tom Grieve Minor League Player of the Year... |
155 | 486 | 114 | .235 | 16 | 59 |
| SS | Scott Fletcher | 83 | 314 | 75 | .239 | 0 | 22 |
| LF | Pete Incaviglia Pete Incaviglia Peter "Inky" Joseph Incaviglia is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He was drafted in the 1st round by the Montreal Expos in the 1985 amateur draft out of Oklahoma State University, but was traded later the same year to the Texas Rangers... |
133 | 453 | 107 | .236 | 21 | 81 |
| CF | Cecil Espy Cecil Espy Cecil Edward Espy is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as an outfielder from 1983 and 1987-1993.-External links:*... |
142 | 275 | 122 | .257 | 3 | 31 |
| RF | Rubén Sierra Rubén Sierra Rubén Angel Sierra García is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Sierra also goes by the nicknames El Caballo and El Indio.... |
162 | 634 | 194 | .306 | 29 | 119 |
| DH | Harold Baines Harold Baines Harold Douglas Baines is a former right fielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played for five American League teams from 1980 to 2001. He is best known for his three stints with the Chicago White Sox, the team on which he now serves as coach... |
50 | 172 | 49 | .285 | 3 | 16 |
Other batters
| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Daugherty Jack Daugherty (baseball) John Michael "Jack" Daugherty was a major league first baseman and outfielder for parts of seven seasons with the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds and Montreal Expos.-Amateur background:... |
52 | 106 | 32 | .302 | 1 | 10 |
| Juan González | 24 | 60 | 9 | .150 | 1 | 7 |
Starting pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nolan Ryan Nolan Ryan Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers.... |
32 | 239⅓ | 16 | 10 | 3.20 | 301 |
| Bobby Witt Bobby Witt Robert Andrew Witt was a pitcher for the Major League Baseball Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Florida Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Cleveland Indians, and Arizona Diamondbacks.... |
31 | 194⅓ | 12 | 13 | 5.14 | 166 |
| Charlie Hough Charlie Hough Charles Oliver Hough is a former Major League Baseball knuckleball pitcher. He is currently a senior adviser of player development for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Playing career:... |
30 | 182 | 10 | 13 | 4.35 | 94 |
| Kevin Brown | 28 | 191 | 12 | 9 | 3.35 | 104 |
| Mike Jeffcoat Mike Jeffcoat James Michael Jeffcoat , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1983–85, 1987–92, and 1994. He played college baseball for Louisiana Tech. He is now the head coach of the Texas Wesleyan University baseball team.-External links:... |
22 | 130⅔ | 9 | 6 | 3.58 | 64 |
| Jamie Moyer Jamie Moyer Jamie Moyer is an American professional left handed baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. At the time of his last game to date , he was the oldest player in the major leagues and had the most wins, losses, and strikeouts of any active Major League pitcher... |
15 | 76 | 4 | 9 | 4.86 | 44 |
Other pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Barfield John Barfield John David Barfield is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during three seasons at the Major League level for the Texas Rangers. He was drafted by the Rangers in the 11th round of the 1986 amateur draft... |
4 | 11⅔ | 0 | 1 | 6.17 | 9 |
Relief pitchers
| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cecilio Guante Cecilio Guante Cecilio Guante Magallane is a former professional Major League Baseball player who played from 1982 to 1990. He made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates and ended his career after playing with the Cleveland Indians. He finished his career with a 29-34 won/loss record and a 3.48 ERA... |
50 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 3.91 | 69 |
| Gary Mielke Gary Mielke Gary Roger Mielke , is a retired American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played three seasons for the Texas Rangers . Prior to his Major League career, Mielke played for Minnesota State University in Mankato.-External links:... |
43 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3.26 | 26 |
| Drew Hall Drew Hall Andrew Clark "Drew" Hall is a former Major League Baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs , Texas Rangers and Montreal Expos . He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, but grew up in Ashland, Kentucky and attended Paul G. Blazer High School. He then attended Morehead State University. He is most famous... |
38 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3.70 | 45 |
| Brad Arnsberg Brad Arnsberg Bradley James Arnsberg is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball and was the Houston Astros pitching coach.-Playing career:... |
16 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4.13 | 26 |
| Darrel Akerfelds Darrel Akerfelds Darrel Wayne Akerfelds is the current bullpen coach of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres. He has held this position since... |
6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3.27 | 9 |
| Paul Wilmet Paul Wilmet Paul Richard Wilmet is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for one season. He played for the Texas Rangers for three games during the 1989 Texas Rangers season.-External links:... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15.43 | 1 |
Awards and honors
- Julio FrancoJulio FrancoJulio César Robles Franco is a former Major League Baseball infielder and designated hitter. In , Franco was the oldest active player in the major leagues at the age of 49....
, Silver Slugger Award, 1989 - Jeff RussellJeff RussellJeffrey Lee Russell is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played 14 years from 1983 to 1996. Russell played for the Cincinnati Reds of the National League and the Texas Rangers, Oakland A's, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians, all of the American League...
, Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award1989 - Nolan RyanNolan RyanLynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
, American League Leader Strikeouts (301) - Rubén SierraRubén SierraRubén Angel Sierra García is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Sierra also goes by the nicknames El Caballo and El Indio....
, Silver Slugger Award, 1989 - Rubén SierraRubén SierraRubén Angel Sierra García is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Sierra also goes by the nicknames El Caballo and El Indio....
, American League Leader, Triples (14) - Rubén SierraRubén SierraRubén Angel Sierra García is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Sierra also goes by the nicknames El Caballo and El Indio....
, American League Leader, RBI (119) - Rubén SierraRubén SierraRubén Angel Sierra García is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Sierra also goes by the nicknames El Caballo and El Indio....
, American League Leader, Total Bases (344)
All-Star Game
1989 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1989 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 60th 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 11, 1989 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California, the home of...
- Julio FrancoJulio FrancoJulio César Robles Franco is a former Major League Baseball infielder and designated hitter. In , Franco was the oldest active player in the major leagues at the age of 49....
, Second Baseman, Starter - Rubén SierraRubén SierraRubén Angel Sierra García is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Sierra also goes by the nicknames El Caballo and El Indio....
, Outfield, Starter - Nolan RyanNolan RyanLynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
, Pitcher, Reserve - Jeff RussellJeff RussellJeffrey Lee Russell is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played 14 years from 1983 to 1996. Russell played for the Cincinnati Reds of the National League and the Texas Rangers, Oakland A's, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians, all of the American League...
, Relief Pithcer, Reserve