1993 Texas Rangers season
Encyclopedia
The Texas Rangers
1993 season
involved the Rangers finishing 2nd in the American League
west with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses. Before the 1993 season, Nolan Ryan announced his retirement, effective at the end of that season.
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...
1993 season
1993 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies ; Paul Molitor, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Dave Stewart*National League Championship Series MVP: Curt Schilling...
involved the Rangers finishing 2nd in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
west with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses. Before the 1993 season, Nolan Ryan announced his retirement, effective at the end of that season.
Offseason
- December 15, 1992: Tom HenkeTom HenkeThomas Anthony Henke , nicknamed "The Terminator" because of his ability and success as a closer, is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared closers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, pitching for the Texas Rangers , Toronto Blue Jays , and St...
was signed as a Free Agent with the Texas Rangers. - December 19, 1992: Manuel Lee was signed as a Free Agent with the Texas Rangers.
- December 19, 1992: Doug Dascenzo was signed as a Free Agent with the Texas Rangers.
- January 13, 1993: Mario Diaz was signed as a Free Agent with the Texas Rangers.
- February 1, 1993: Billy Ripken was signed as a Free Agent with the Texas Rangers.
- February 8, 1993: Steve BalboniSteve BalboniStephen Charles Balboni is a retired Major League Baseball player with the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, and Texas Rangers. He was a player with home run power and a tendency to strike out. He was nicknamed "Bye Bye" because of his home run hitting prowess...
was signed as a Free Agent with the Texas Rangers. - March 22, 1993: Mike Schooler was signed as a Free Agent with the Texas Rangers.
Regular season
- On May 26, 1993, during a game against 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...
, Carlos Martínez hit a fly ball that Canseco lost in the lights as he was crossing the warning trackWarning trackA warning track is the term for the part of the baseball field that is closest to the wall or fence and is typically made of dirt, instead of grass or artificial turf like most of the field. It runs parallel to the ballpark's wall and looks like a running track...
. The ball hit him in the head and bounced over the wall for a home run. The cap http://seth.com/coll_memorabilia_03.html Jose was wearing on that play, which This Week in BaseballThis Week in BaseballThis Week in Baseball is a weekly television program, originally designed to show highlights of the previous week's Major League Baseball action. TWIB debuted in .-Genesis of the series:...
rated in 1998 as the greatest blooperBlooperA blooper, also known as an outtake or boner is a short sequence of a film or video production, usually a deleted scene, containing a mistake made by a member of the cast or crew. It also refers to an error made during a live radio or TV broadcast or news report, usually in terms of misspoken words...
of the show's first 21 years, is in the Seth SwirskySeth SwirskySeth Swirsky is an American pop music songwriter , author, recording artist, filmmaker, political writer and baseball memorabilia collector -- a self-described "Manic Expressive."- Songwriter :In 1980, at the age of 20, Seth Swirsky wrote the national jingle for Thomas' English...
collection. After the incident, the Harrisburg HeatHarrisburg HeatThe Harrisburg Heat was a professional indoor soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team was part of the National Professional Soccer League, which later became the Major Indoor Soccer League, and has been defunct since 2003. The Harrisburg Heat was first formed during the 1991-92...
offered him a soccer contract. - May 29, 1993 - José Canseco asked his managerManager (baseball)In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
, Kevin KennedyKevin Kennedy (baseball)Kevin Curtis Kennedy is a former manager in American Major League Baseball and a former television host for Fox Sports' baseball coverage. He was given the nickname "The Skipper" by Fox Sports due to his prior managerial career...
, to let him pitch the eighth inning of a runaway loss to the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. While pitching, he injured his arm, underwent Tommy John surgeryTommy John surgeryTommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
, and was lost for the remainder of the season, leading him to suffer further indignity and ridicule. - On August 4, just before the end, Ryan had yet another high profile moment – this time an on-the-mound fight. After Ryan hit Robin VenturaRobin VenturaRobin Mark Ventura is the current manager of the Chicago White Sox. He is a former professional baseball player, a third baseman who played for four major league teams, most notably for the Chicago White Sox...
of 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...
, Ventura charged the mound in order to fight Ryan, who was 20 years his senior. Ryan secured the 26-year-old Ventura in a headlock with his left arm, while pummelling Ventura's head with his right fist six times before catcher Iván RodríguezIván RodríguezIván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher...
was able to pull Ventura away from Ryan. Ryan stated afterwards it was the same maneuver he used on steers he had to brand on his Texas ranch. Videos of the incident were played that evening throughout the country. While Ventura and White Sox manager Gene LamontGene LamontGene William Lamont is a former catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who managed the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
were ejected, Ryan–who had barely moved from his spot on the mound in the fracas–was allowed to remain in the game and pitched hitless ball the rest of the way. Ryan had determined to be more aggressive after coming out on the wrong side of an altercation with Dave WinfieldDave WinfieldDavid Mark Winfield is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is currently Executive Vice President/Senior Advisor of the San Diego Padres and an analyst for the ESPN program Baseball Tonight...
's beating in 1980. - September 17, 1993: Greg Myers of the Angels was the final strikeout victim of 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....
. It would be Ryan's 5,714th strikeout. - On September 22, 1993, Nolan Ryan's arm finally gave out. In Seattle, Ryan tore a ligament, ending his career two starts earlier than planned. Briefly attempting to pitch past the injury, Ryan threw one further pitch after tearing his ligament; with his injured arm, his final pitch was measured at 98 miles per hour. Ryan's last start was his worst; he allowed a single, four walks, and a grand slamGrand slam (baseball)In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
in the top of the first without recording an out. (Ryan left trailing 5-0, and the fourth walk was completed by a reliever after Ryan's injury, but credited to Ryan.)
Roster
| 1993 Texas Rangers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
Starters by position
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In; SB = Stolen Bases| Pos | Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Ivan Rodriguez Iván Rodríguez Iván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher... |
137 | 473 | 56 | 129 | ||||
| 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... |
160 | 597 | 124 | 176 | ||||
| 2B | Doug Strange | 145 | 484 | 58 | 124 | ||||
| 3B | Dean Palmer | 148 | 519 | 88 | 127 | ||||
| SS | Manuel Lee Manuel Lee Manuel Lora Lee is a former shortstop and second baseman for Major League Baseball's Toronto Blue Jays , Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals... |
73 | 205 | 31 | 45 | ||||
| LF | Juan Gonzalez | 140 | 536 | 105 | 166 | ||||
| CF | David Hulse | 114 | 407 | 71 | 118 | ||||
| RF | Jose Canseco José Canseco José Canseco Capas, Jr. is a Cuban-American professional baseball manager, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Yuma Scorpions of the North American League and former Major League Baseball player. He is the identical twin brother of former major league player and current teammate Ozzie Canseco... |
60 | 231 | 30 | 59 | ||||
| DH | Julio Franco | 144 | 532 | 85 | 154 |
Other batters
| Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gary Redus | 77 | 222 | 28 | 64 | .288 | 6 | 31 | 4 |
Starting pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Brown | 34 | 233 | 15 | 12 | 3.59 | 142 |
Other pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Relief pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Henke Tom Henke Thomas Anthony Henke , nicknamed "The Terminator" because of his ability and success as a closer, is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared closers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, pitching for the Texas Rangers , Toronto Blue Jays , and St... |
|||||||
| Jose Canseco José Canseco José Canseco Capas, Jr. is a Cuban-American professional baseball manager, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Yuma Scorpions of the North American League and former Major League Baseball player. He is the identical twin brother of former major league player and current teammate Ozzie Canseco... |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27.00 | 0 |
Awards and honors
- Juan González, A.L. Home Run Champ
- Juan González, Silver Slugger Award
- Iván RodríguezIván RodríguezIván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher...
, C, Gold Glove
All-Star Game
1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 64th 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 13, 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland,...