Does Texas Have Two Baseball Teams?
Baseball is one of America’s favorite pastimes, and many states have teams that play in Major League Baseball (MLB). Texas is one of those states, but does it have two baseball teams? The answer is yes, Texas has two teams that play in the MLB—the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros.
History of Baseball in Texas
Baseball has been part of Texas’ culture since the late 1800s. In 1887, the first professional baseball team, the Galveston Sand Crabs, was established in Galveston, Texas. The team played in the Texas League until 1895.
In 1901, the minor league Texas League was founded and two teams, the Dallas Giants and the Fort Worth Panthers, were added. The two teams played each other until 1903 when the Panthers moved to Houston and changed their name to the Houston Buffaloes.
In the 1920s, the Houston Buffaloes and Dallas Eagles (formerly the Dallas Giants) joined the Texas League. The league continued to grow and by the 1950s, there were eight teams in the Texas League.
Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers were founded in 1961 as the Washington Senators and moved to Texas in 1972. The Rangers are based in Arlington, Texas, and play their home games at Globe Life Field. The team has won two American League championships (in 2010 and 2011) and has made seven postseason appearances.
The team has had some of the most iconic players in baseball history, including Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan, Ivan Rodriguez, and Adrian Beltre.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros were founded in 1962 as the Houston Colt .45s. The team changed its name to the Astros in 1965 and moved to the Astrodome in 1966. The Astros currently play their home games at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros have won two World Series championships (in 2017 and 2019) and have made 11 total postseason appearances. The team has had some of the most iconic players in baseball history, including Hall of Famers Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, and Nolan Ryan.
The Lone Star Series
The Lone Star Series is an annual interleague rivalry between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros. The teams play six games each season (three in each city) and the team with the best record in the series wins the Lone Star Series trophy.
The Lone Star Series started in 2013 and the Astros have won the trophy five times, while the Rangers have won it three times.
Texas in the MLB
The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros are the only two teams that play in the MLB in the state of Texas. However, there are three other minor league teams that play in the state—the Round Rock Express, Corpus Christi Hooks, and Frisco RoughRiders.
Notable Players From Texas
Texas has produced some of the greatest players in MLB history. Here is a list of some of the most notable players from the state:
- Nolan Ryan—Hall of Famer who played for the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros
- Roger Clemens—Hall of Famer who played for the Houston Astros
- Ivan Rodriguez—Hall of Famer who played for the Texas Rangers
- Craig Biggio—Hall of Famer who played for the Houston Astros
- Jeff Bagwell—Hall of Famer who played for the Houston Astros
- Adrian Beltre—Hall of Famer who played for the Texas Rangers
- Vladimir Guerrero—Hall of Famer who played for the Texas Rangers
- Josh Hamilton—Former All-Star who played for the Texas Rangers
- C.J. Wilson—Former All-Star who played for the Texas Rangers
- Cole Hamels—Former All-Star who played for the Texas Rangers
Conclusion
In conclusion, Texas does have two baseball teams that play in the MLB—the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros. The two teams compete in the annual Lone Star Series, and both teams have had some of the most iconic players in baseball history.
The state of Texas also has three minor league teams—the Round Rock Express, Corpus Christi Hooks, and Frisco RoughRiders. Texas has also produced some of the greatest players in MLB history, and they are a testament to the state’s passion for baseball.