Dallas Rangers
Encyclopedia
The Dallas Rangers were a high-level minor league baseball
team located in Dallas, Texas
, from 1958-64. The team was known by the Dallas Rangers name in 1958-59 and 1964 and as the Dallas-Fort Worth Rangers from 1960-63. It played in the Class AA Texas League
in 1958, the AAA American Association
from 1959-62 and the AAA Pacific Coast League
in 1963-64, and its home stadium was Burnett Field
.
Both Dallas and Fort Worth
had long and storied histories in the Texas League. The Dallas club had had many nicknames since its founding in 1902
including the Griffins (1902), Giants (1903-1918), Marines (1919), Submarines (1920-1921), Steers (1922-1938), Rebels (1939-1942, 1946-1947) and Eagles (1948-1957), before it was dubbed the Rangers in , its final TL campaign. The Fort Worth team was called the Panthers (1902-1931) and the Cats (1932-1942, 1946-1958, 1964). As of , a Fort Worth Cats
independent league club was still using the latter name.
In 1959, the American Association expanded and admitted both cities to AAA baseball, Dallas as an unaffiliated club and Fort Worth as an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs
. Dallas outdrew Fort Worth, 130,000 to 97,000, and the two teams were merged in 1960 as the top farm team of the Kansas City Athletics
. The Dallas Cowboys
were initially called the Dallas Rangers but were renamed to avoid confusion with the baseball club.
The Rangers struggled on the field and at the gate that season, finishing last and drawing only 113,000 fans. In 1961 and 1962, the team was affiliated with the expansion Los Angeles Angels
and featured future MLB stars such as Jim Fregosi
and Dean Chance
, but continued to lag behind other Association members in attendance. In 1962, the team was jointly affiliated with both the Angels and the Philadelphia Phillies
.
When the American Association itself folded after the 1962
season, the Rangers joined the Pacific Coast League and affiliated with the Minnesota Twins
. The 1963
Dallas-Fort Worth Rangers, managed by Jack McKeon
, finally reached the .500 level, but the Minnesota affiliation lasted only one year. The lowly A's returned as the team's parent in 1964
. Moreover, that season the Texas League placed a team in Fort Worth, and the Rangers reverted to their Dallas-only identity.
The last Dallas Rangers club, managed by John McNamara
, won only 53 of 157 PCL games and drew only 39,000 fans. The franchise moved to Vancouver
in 1965
. The Dallas-Fort Worth regional name was then applied to the Texas League club, which played in Arlington
and became known as the Spurs
through 1971. The old nickname Rangers was revived for the major league Texas Rangers
, who moved to Turnpike (renamed Arlington) Stadium
in 1972.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team located in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, from 1958-64. The team was known by the Dallas Rangers name in 1958-59 and 1964 and as the Dallas-Fort Worth Rangers from 1960-63. It played in the Class AA Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
in 1958, the AAA American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
from 1959-62 and the AAA Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
in 1963-64, and its home stadium was Burnett Field
Burnett Field
Burnett Field, in Dallas, Texas, was home to several minor league baseball clubs from 1924 to 1964. The ballpark sat 10,500 fans. It was located at 1500 East Jefferson Boulevard , Brazos Street ; Colorado Boulevard ; and the Trinity River .The ballpark began as Gardner Park, or as some historians...
.
Both Dallas and Fort Worth
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
had long and storied histories in the Texas League. The Dallas club had had many nicknames since its founding in 1902
1902 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:* American League: Philadelphia Athletics* National League: Pittsburgh Pirates1902 World Series: Not played due to AL-NL war over player contracts.-American League:*Home Runs: Socks Seybold, Philadelphia Athletics: 16...
including the Griffins (1902), Giants (1903-1918), Marines (1919), Submarines (1920-1921), Steers (1922-1938), Rebels (1939-1942, 1946-1947) and Eagles (1948-1957), before it was dubbed the Rangers in , its final TL campaign. The Fort Worth team was called the Panthers (1902-1931) and the Cats (1932-1942, 1946-1958, 1964). As of , a Fort Worth Cats
Fort Worth Cats
The Fort Worth Cats are a professional baseball team based in Fort Worth, Texas, in the United States. The Cats are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 2002 season the Cats...
independent league club was still using the latter name.
In 1959, the American Association expanded and admitted both cities to AAA baseball, Dallas as an unaffiliated club and Fort Worth as an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The 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...
. Dallas outdrew Fort Worth, 130,000 to 97,000, and the two teams were merged in 1960 as the top farm team of the Kansas City Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. The Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
were initially called the Dallas Rangers but were renamed to avoid confusion with the baseball club.
The Rangers struggled on the field and at the gate that season, finishing last and drawing only 113,000 fans. In 1961 and 1962, the team was affiliated with the expansion Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
and featured future MLB stars such as Jim Fregosi
Jim Fregosi
James Louis Fregosi is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and manager. During an 18-year baseball career, he played from 1961–1978 for four different teams, primarily the Los Angeles and California Angels. In that franchise's first eleven years of play, he became its first star as the team's...
and Dean Chance
Dean Chance
Wilmer Dean Chance is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Over the right hander's 11-year major league career, he would play for the Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, and Detroit Tigers...
, but continued to lag behind other Association members in attendance. In 1962, the team was jointly affiliated with both the Angels and the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
When the American Association itself folded after the 1962
1962 in baseball
The 1962 season is perhaps most notable for the dismal 40–120 record of the New York Mets, the third-worst winning percentage and the record for most games lost since 1900.-Major League Baseball:...
season, the Rangers joined the Pacific Coast League and affiliated with the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. The 1963
1963 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers beat New York Yankees ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 9 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5–3; Willie Mays, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: USC...
Dallas-Fort Worth Rangers, managed by Jack McKeon
Jack McKeon
John Aloysius McKeon , nicknamed Trader Jack, is a former Major League Baseball manager. In 2003, he won a World Series with the Florida Marlins...
, finally reached the .500 level, but the Minnesota affiliation lasted only one year. The lowly A's returned as the team's parent in 1964
1964 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over New York Yankees ; Bob Gibson, MVP*All-Star Game, July 7 at Shea Stadium: National League, 7–4; Johnny Callison, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Minnesota...
. Moreover, that season the Texas League placed a team in Fort Worth, and the Rangers reverted to their Dallas-only identity.
The last Dallas Rangers club, managed by John McNamara
John McNamara (baseball)
John Francis McNamara is a former manager and coach in Major League Baseball. He managed six major league teams, directing the 1986 Boston Red Sox to the American League pennant, only to experience an excruciating defeat in that season's World Series at the hands of the New York Mets.-Playing,...
, won only 53 of 157 PCL games and drew only 39,000 fans. The franchise moved to Vancouver
Vancouver Mounties
The Vancouver Mounties were a high-level minor league baseball club based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Mounties played in the Pacific Coast League from 1956 through 1962 as the relocated Oakland Oaks franchise, and from 1965 through 1969 when the Dallas Rangers moved back to Canada.The...
in 1965
1965 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Minnesota Twins ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 13 at Metropolitan Stadium: National League, 6-5; Juan Marichal, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: Arizona State...
. The Dallas-Fort Worth regional name was then applied to the Texas League club, which played in Arlington
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...
and became known as the Spurs
Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs
The Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs were an American minor league baseball team in the Texas League from 1965 to 1971. The team played in Turnpike Stadium in Arlington, Texas....
through 1971. The old nickname Rangers was revived for the major league Texas Rangers
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...
, who moved to Turnpike (renamed Arlington) Stadium
Arlington Stadium
Arlington Stadium was a baseball stadium located in Arlington, Texas, United States, located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. It served as the home for the Texas Rangers from 1972 until 1993, when the team moved into The Ballpark in Arlington .-1960s:The stadium was built in 1965 as Turnpike...
in 1972.
Additional reading
- Lloyd Johnson and Miles Wolff, editors. The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 1997 edition. Durham, N.C.: Baseball AmericaBaseball AmericaBaseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
.