The Texas Rangers played their first game  on April 15, 1972. In 1974, the Rangers began to come into their own as a team. They finished the season 84-76 and in second place behind the eventual World Series-champion Oakland Athletics. However, the following season, after a 44-51 start, Billy Martin (club's manger)was fired as the Rangers manager and was replaced by Frank Lucchesi.

 

After the 1977 and 1978 seasons, the Rangers would not have another winning season until 1986 under Bobby Valentine when the team finished in second in the AL West.

The year 1995 saw the beginnings of the most promise for the Rangers. With a brand new ballpark that hosted its first All-Star Game, Johnny Oates was hired as the Rangers' skipper and promptly led them to an AL West division title in 1996.

Last season, the Rangers battled with the Anaheim Angels and Oakland Athletics for first place in the AL West for much of the season. They remained contention until the last week of the season, eventually finishing in third place behind the Angels and A's, but they finished the season only 3 games out of first place.

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