What do you think is the greatest regular season moment in Texas Rangers franchise history? You’ve got the chance to cast your vote with The Dallas Morning News’ bracket of the Rangers’ greatest regular-season moments.
The higher seed won all eight of our first round matchups, meaning some intriguing votes have been set up in the quarterfinals. Check out the full bracket below to see where things stand heading into the quarterfinals.
SportsDay Rangers greatest regular season moments in Rangers history bracket entering the quarterfinals.(SportsDay Staff)
Most of the first-round votes were blowouts, except for one. Josh Hamilton’s 2008 Home Run Derby edged the franchise’s first game in Texas in 1972, with Hamilton’s moment receiving 54.9% of the vote. While the first round was very chalky, some big-time matchups have been set up in the quarterfinals.
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Starting on Wednesday, July 30, the quarterfinals voting will open at 6 a.m. and will close on Sunday, August 3 at 11:50 p.m. Each round of voting will go from Wednesday to Sunday until a champion is crowned on Aug. 27. The winners each week will be announced on that week’s episode of the SportsDay Rangers podcast.
By voting, you also are entering yourself into a contest to win incredible Rangers prizes each week!
Here’s the full voting schedule.
– Round of 16: July 23-July 27
– Quarterfinals: July 30-Aug. 3
– Semifinals: Aug. 6-Aug. 10
– Finals: Aug. 13-Aug.20
– Announcement: Aug. 27
Without further ado, you can cast your vote below! In case you want your memory refreshed or just want a walk down Memory Lane, you can see the eight moments still standing in the bracket below, accompanied with a brief description, links back to The News’ coverage of the moment and a video.
Having trouble accessing the voting window? Tap here to try this link!
No. 1 Kenny Rogers’ perfect game, 1994
Rogers threw the only perfect game in franchise history in 1994, blanking the California Angels in a 98-pitch effort. It was the 12th perfect game in baseball’s modern era (since 1900) and is one of just 24 perfect games in baseball history.
“I still can’t believe it,” Rogers told The News that day. “I was just trying to get back in the dugout and give us a chance to hit.”
He struck out eight batters and the perfect game was famously preserved by an outstanding catch by Rusty Greer in the ninth inning. See Greer’s iconic catch and Rogers’ final out below.
No. 2 Rangers clinch first AL West title, 1996
On Sept. 27, 1996, the Rangers clinched their first division title in franchise history in unique, awkward fashion. While the Rangers were in an extra innings affair with the Angels, the Athletics eliminated the Mariners and secured Texas’ first division title.
The twist? Before smartphones, fans and players didn’t know that Seattle had lost until the outfield scoreboard revealed the final score. The crowd erupted, but the players showed no emotion. The Rangers eventually lost 4-3 in 15 innings, and after some handshakes in the dugout, fireworks were set off, the banner was unfurled and the celebration began in Arlington.
No. 3 Nolan Ryan notches 5,000th career strikeout, 1989
On Aug. 22, 1989, Ryan added another item to his ridiculously long list of records, becoming the first pitcher to reach 5,000 career strikeouts.
Ryan sent the old Arlington Stadium into a frenzy when he struck out Oakland’s Rickey Henderson with a 96 mph fastball on a 3-2 pitch to notch his 5,000th career punchout. He finished the outing with 13 strikeouts and to this day is the only member of the 5,000 strikeout club with 5,714 of them to his name.
“I was very nervous,” Ryan told The News after the game. “Coming down here today, I drove by the ballpark and had to turn around and come back.”
No. 4 Josh Hamilton’s four-home run game, 2012
During Hamilton’s incredible tenure with the Rangers that included an AL MVP in 2010, arguably the most impressive feat of his career was when he became the 14th player in major league history to hit four home runs in a game on May 8, 2012.
He went 5-for-5 with four homers, a double and drove in eight runs, set the AL record for total bases and tied the MLB record for most extra base hits in a game.
“The greatest individual performance, I’ve ever seen,” Michael Young told The News after the Rangers’ 10-3 win. “Josh is the most talented player in the game. When somebody does something like this it’s always shocking, but he’s one of the few guys you know are capable of actually doing it.”
12 years ago, Josh Hamilton blasted FOUR home runs and went 5-for-5 against the Orioles! 😳
Hamilton’s stats following this game (27 G):
.406 AVG
14 HR
36 RBI
1.298 OPS pic.twitter.com/fwet8uvUa9
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 8, 2024
No. 5 Nolan Ryan’s seventh no-hitter, 1991
The 44-year-old Ryan threw his seventh and final no-hitter at the old Arlington Stadium, extending his record for most no-hitters in a career (no one else has thrown more than four).
He shut down the Blue Jays in a 3-0 win to the tune of 16 strikeouts and two walks. Ryan was so dominant that he only allowed four balls to be hit out of the infield.
“This was the furthest thing from my mind,” Ryan said after the game. “When I woke up, I had more aches and pains. I physically had a bad day. Old age.”
No. 6 Adrian Beltre’s 3,000th hit, 2017
Beltre etched his name in baseball history at Globe Life Park on July 30, 2017 when he lined a pitch into the left field corner for a double and his 3,000th career hit.
He became the 31st player in league history, first player from the Dominican Republic and second Latino player to reach the milestone. His three children immediately ran onto the field, ran past him all the way to the outfield wall to reveal a sign honoring Beltre.
“When I hit the ball, I was on a cloud,” Beltre told The News after the game. “I was running thinking ‘I can’t believe it I did it. It’s done.’ It was a cool moment.”
No. 7 Josh Hamilton’s historic Home Run Derby, 2008
While Josh Hamilton didn’t win the Home Run Derby on July 14, 2008, he delivered one of the most memorable performances in All-Star history that night at the old Yankee Stadium.
He blasted a single round record 28 home runs in the first round of what became the most-watched Home Run Derby ever. Three balls went more than 500 feet, with the longest one going 518 feet.
“I got chills,” he said afterward.
On This Date: 10 years ago, Josh Hamilton broke the Home Run Derby.
Will anyone come close to his record this year? Find out Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/AIcDpYDoqO
— ESPN (@espn) July 15, 2018
No. 8 Nolan Ryan fights Robin Ventura, 1993
On Aug. 4, 1993, one of the wildest baseball brawls transpired at Arlington Stadium when White Sox third baseman Robin Ventura charged the mound after being hit by a pitch from Nolan Ryan.
The benches emptied, but before the players could get to Ryan and Ventura, the 46-year-old Ryan put 26-year-old Ventura in a headlock and whacked him with six uppercuts. Ryan remained in the game and earned the win after rallying the Rangers to a 5-2 win.
“I wasn’t expecting it,” Ryan said of Ventura’s charge. “Self-preservation is all that goes through your mind when something like that happens.”
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