Texas Rangers and Houston Astros: Two Major League Baseball Teams in Texas
Texas is home to two Major League Baseball (MLB) teams—the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros. Both teams have had a long history in the game, and they represent two of the most storied franchises in all of baseball.
Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers are an American professional baseball team based in Arlington, Texas. They compete in Major League Baseball as a member of the American League West Division. The team was founded in 1961 as the Washington Senators, and moved to Texas in 1972. The Rangers are currently owned by Ray Davis and Bob Simpson.
The Rangers have won two American League pennants and one World Series title, in 2010. They are one of the most successful teams in MLB history, having made the playoffs in six of the last seven seasons.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. They compete in Major League Baseball as a member of the American League West Division. The team was founded in 1962 as the Houston Colt .45s, and changed their name to the Astros in 1965. The Astros are currently owned by Jim Crane.
The Astros have won one World Series title, in 2017. They are one of the most successful teams in MLB history, having made the playoffs in five of the last six seasons.
Texas Rangers’ History
The Texas Rangers have a long and storied history in Major League Baseball. The team was founded in 1961 as the Washington Senators, and moved to Texas in 1972. The team was originally owned by an investment group led by Bob Short, and was later purchased by Brad Corbett in 1974. Corbett sold the team to George W. Bush in 1989.
The Rangers were a perennial also-ran in the American League West for most of their existence, but had their breakthrough in 1996 when they won their first division title. The Rangers were led by superstars such as Juan Gonzalez, Ivan Rodriguez, and Rafael Palmeiro, and managed by the legendary Johnny Oates.
The Rangers went on to win their first American League pennant in 2010, and faced off against the San Francisco Giants in the World Series. The Rangers lost the series in five games, but the run was a magical one for the franchise and its fans.
Houston Astros’ History
The Houston Astros have a long and storied history in Major League Baseball. The team was founded in 1962 as the Houston Colt .45s, and changed their name to the Astros in 1965. The team was originally owned by an investment group led by Roy Hofheinz, and was later purchased by John McMullen in 1979. The Astros were purchased by Drayton McLane in 1992.
The Astros were a perennial contender in the National League Central for most of their existence, but had their breakthrough in 2005 when they won their first division title. The Astros were led by superstars such as Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, and Lance Berkman, and managed by the legendary Phil Garner.
The Astros went on to win their first World Series title in 2017, and faced off against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. The Astros won the series in seven games, and the run was a magical one for the franchise and its fans.
Texas Rangers’ Notable Players
The Texas Rangers have had some of the most iconic players in Major League Baseball history. Here are some of the most notable:
- Nolan Ryan – Ryan was a Hall of Fame pitcher who spent 9 of his 27 seasons with the Rangers. He holds several MLB records, including most career strikeouts and most no-hitters.
- Ivan Rodriguez – Rodriguez was a 10-time All-Star catcher who was affectionately known as “Pudge”. He won 10 Gold Glove awards and was the 1999 AL MVP.
- Rafael Palmeiro – Palmeiro was a 4-time All-Star first baseman who spent 12 of his 20 seasons with the Rangers. He is one of only 4 players in MLB history with 500 home runs and 3000 hits.
- Adrian Beltre – Beltre is a 4-time All-Star third baseman who spent 8 of his 21 seasons with the Rangers. He is a sure-fire Hall of Famer and currently holds the record for most home runs hit by a foreign-born player.
- Josh Hamilton – Hamilton was a 5-time All-Star outfielder who spent 5 of his 10 seasons with the Rangers. He won the 2010 AL MVP and is one of the most feared hitters in baseball.
Houston Astros’ Notable Players
The Houston Astros have had some of the most iconic players in Major League Baseball history. Here are some of the most notable:
- Craig Biggio – Biggio was a Hall of Fame second baseman who spent all 20 of his seasons with the Astros. He is one of only 4 players in MLB history with 3000 hits and 600 stolen bases.
- Jeff Bagwell – Bagwell was a 4-time All-Star first baseman who spent his entire 15-year career with the Astros. He is a sure-fire Hall of Famer and was the 1994 NL MVP.
- Lance Berkman – Berkman was a 6-time All-Star outfielder who spent 11 of his 15 seasons with the Astros. He was a key member of the 2017 World Series-winning team and won the 2011 NL Comeback Player of the Year award.
- Andy Pettitte – Pettitte was a 3-time All-Star pitcher who spent 9 of his 18 seasons with the Astros. He won 5 World Series titles, including one with the Astros in 2017.
- Jose Altuve – Altuve is a 6-time All-Star second baseman who has spent his entire 8-year career with the Astros. He won the 2017 AL MVP and is one of the most dynamic players in baseball.
Texas Rangers’ Notable Managers
The Texas Rangers have had some of the most iconic managers in Major League Baseball history. Here are some of the most notable:
- Johnny Oates – Oates managed the Rangers from 1995 to 2001, and led the team to their first division title in 1996. He was the 1997 AL Manager of the Year.
- Ron Washington – Washington managed the Rangers from 2007 to 2014, and led the team to their first World Series appearance in 2010. He was the 2010 AL Manager of the Year.
- Jeff Banister – Banister managed the Rangers from 2015 to 2018, and led the team to two division titles and two wild card berths. He was the 2015 AL Manager of the Year.
- Chris Woodward – Woodward is the current manager of the Rangers, and has led the team to the playoffs in his first two seasons. He was the 2020 AL Manager of the Year.
Houston Astros’ Notable Managers
The Houston Astros have had some of the most iconic managers in Major League Baseball history. Here are some of the most notable:
- Phil Garner – Garner managed the Astros from 2004 to 2007, and led the team to the 2005 World Series. He was the 2004 NL Manager of the Year.
- Cecil Cooper – Cooper managed the Astros from 2007 to 2009, and led the team to two division titles. He was the 2007 NL Manager of the Year.
- Brad Mills – Mills managed the Astros from 2010 to 2012, and led the team to a wild card berth in 2011. He was the 2010 NL Manager of the Year.
- A.J. Hinch – Hinch managed the Astros from 2015 to 2019, and led the team to their first World Series title in 2017. He was the 2017 AL Manager of the Year.
- Dusty Baker – Baker is the current manager of the Astros, and has led the team to the playoffs in his first two seasons. He was the 2020 AL Manager of the Year.
Texas Rangers’ Fan Culture
The Texas Rangers have a passionate and loyal fan base. The team has sold out every game since 2003, and their fans are some of the loudest and most enthusiastic in baseball. The team has developed many traditions over the years, including the “7th Inning Stretch” and the “Rangers Win!” chant.
The Rangers also have several fan clubs, including the Rangers Baseball Foundation, the Texas Rangers Baseball Club, and the Texas Rangers Fan Club. Fans can also join the team’s official fan group, the Rangers Fan Club, which hosts events throughout the year.
Houston Astros’ Fan Culture
The Houston Astros have a passionate and loyal fan base. The team has sold out every game since 2015, and their fans are some of the loudest and most enthusiastic in baseball. The team has developed many traditions over the years, including the “Take it Back” chant and the “H-Town Shuffle”.
The Astros also have several fan clubs, including the Astros Baseball Foundation, the Houston Astros Baseball Club, and the Houston Astros Fan Club. Fans can also join the team’s official fan group, the Astros Fan Club, which hosts events throughout the year.
Conclusion
The Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros are two of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball. They both have a long and rich history, and have had some of the most iconic players and managers in the game. They also have passionate and loyal fan bases, and have developed many traditions over the years.