By 1991, the Texas Rangers had largely matriculated one of the strongest farm systems in baseball history to to the major leagues. Rob Maurer, a left-handed hitting first baseman from the University of Evansville, reached the majors along with a young nucleus of players that included Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez and Kenny Rogers, among others.
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Maurer’s big league career didn’t last as long as his more famous peers, but his two seasons in Arlington overlapped with a special time in franchise history.
Maurer, who died unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday at age 59, played 21 games for Texas across the 1991 and 1992 seasons — the beginning of a decade that saw the Rangers win three division titles, and a postseason game, for the first time in franchise history.
“Rob was my roommate and best friend in professional baseball,” former Rangers first baseman Dan Peltier wrote on Maurer’s obituary page. “I am devastated by the news of his passing. I am blessed that he was part of my life. My heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to Rob’s family.”
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A native of Evansville, Indiana, Maurer competed in baseball, football, and wrestling in high school. He stayed home for college, teaming up with future big leaguer Andy Benes to help Evansville reach the College World Series.
Maurer’s 1988 season was one of the best in Purple Aces history. He scored a program-record 66 runs while hitting 25 doubles (second) and nine triples (tied for second).
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Maurer had the second-best batting average in school history when the Rangers tabbed him in the sixth round of the 1988 draft. Ten years later, he would be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.
After playing parts of four minor league seasons — thrice being named a Top 10 prospect in the Rangers’ system by Baseball America — Maurer was a September call-up at the end of the 1991 season. He returned to Triple-A for the 1992 season, then was promoted in September again. He would go 3 for 25 (.120) with three RBIs across his two stints with the Rangers.
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A knee injury forced Maurer to undergo reconstructive surgery and miss all of the 1993 season, after which he was placed on waivers and sent to the minor leagues.
Maurer returned to Triple-A to begin the 1994 season. But after 61 games, he re-injured the same knee, requiring another surgical procedure. Not long after the baseball players’ strike lifted in 1995, the Rangers released Maurer. His baseball career was effectively over.
Maurer is survived by his wife Kahtryn, three children, two grandchildren, and four siblings.
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