List of Texas Rangers Opening Day starting pitchers explained
The Texas Rangers are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Arlington, Texas. They play in the American League West division. From 1961 to 1971, the team played in Washington, D.C., as the Washington Senators, one of three different major league teams to use the name.[1] The franchise relocated to Arlington as the Rangers in 1972.[2] The first game of the new baseball season for a team is played on Opening Day, and being named the Opening Day starting pitcher is an honor which is given to the player who is expected to lead the pitching staff that season,[3] though there are various strategic reasons why a team's best pitcher might not start on Opening Day.[4] The Rangers have used 37 different Opening Day starting pitchers in their 60 seasons.[5]
The Senators' first Opening Day game was played against the Chicago White Sox at Griffith Stadium in Washington, on April 10, 1961. Dick Donovan was their starting pitcher that day; he took the decision in a game the Senators lost, 4–3. In 1962, the team moved to District of Columbia Stadium (renamed Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in 1969).[6] Opening Day starter Bennie Daniels earned the win in a 4–1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on April 9. Through their 11 years in Washington, the Senators started every Opening Day game at home. Their final Opening Day game in Washington was an 8–0 win over the Oakland Athletics on April 5, 1971, with starter Dick Bosman being credited with the win.
The team moved to Texas in 1972, and played their home games at Arlington Stadium.[6] Their 1972 season opener was played on the road, but they played their first Opening Day game in Arlington on April 7, 1973, with Bosman taking the loss in a 3–1 loss to the White Sox. The Rangers' final Opening Day at Arlington Stadium occurred on April 8, 1991, when starter Nolan Ryan was handed the loss by the Milwaukee Brewers, 5–4. They moved into The Ballpark in Arlington in 1994,[6] but did not host their first Opening Day at new facility until 1996. In the game, starting pitcher Ken Hill got the win in a 5–3 defeat of the Boston Red Sox. The stadium was subsequently renamed Ameriquest Field in Arlington (2004–2006), Rangers Ballpark in Arlington (2007–2013), and Globe Life Park in Arlington (2014–2019).[6] Starter Mike Minor took the loss in Globe Life Park's final Opening Day game against the Chicago Cubs on March 28, 2019, a 12–4 loss. The Rangers played their first Opening Day game at their current ballpark, Globe Life Field,[6] on July 24, 2020. Earning the win was starter Lance Lynn, as Texas beat the Colorado Rockies, 1–0.
The Rangers' Opening Day starting pitchers have a combined Opening Day record of 20 wins, 30 losses and 10 no decisions. In Washington, they had a record of 2 wins and 9 losses in 11 Opening Day starts. In Texas, they have 18 wins, 21 losses, and 10 no decisions in 49 Opening Day starts. They have an aggregate record of 15 wins, 19 losses, and 6 no decisions in 40 Opening Day starts at home. Texas starters have a record of 5 wins, 11 losses, and 4 no decisions in 20 Opening Day starts on the road.[5]
Charlie Hough has the most Opening Day starts for the Rangers, with six, followed by Dick Bosman and Kevin Millwood (4); Jon Matlack, Kenny Rogers, and Nolan Ryan (3); and Cole Hamels, Rick Helling, Ken Hill, Ferguson Jenkins, Camilo Pascual, and Pete Richert (2). Bosman (1970–1973) and Millwood (2006–2009) made four consecutive Opening Day starts. Hough (1987–1989) and Ryan (1990–1992) made three consecutive starts, while Hill (1996–1997), Hough (1984–1985), Matlack (1980–1981), Pascual (1968–1969), and Richert (1966–1967) made back-to-back starts.[5]
Three Texas Rangers Opening Day pitchers—Ferguson Jenkins, Gaylord Perry, and Nolan Ryan—have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.[7] [8] [9]
Table key
Opening Day results
Pitchers
Opening Day starting pitchers are listed in descending order by the number of Opening Day starts for the Senators/Rangers.
Notes and References
- Web site: Franchise Timeline - 1960s. Texas Rangers. Major League Baseball. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Franchise Timeline - 1970s. Texas Rangers. Major League Baseball. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Jordan. Bastian. Marcum Tapped for Jays' Opening Day. Major League Baseball. March 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20121105103440/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100322&content_id=8868046&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. November 5, 2012. November 14, 2018.
- Web site: Steve. Dilbeck. Dodgers May Not Start Clayton Kershaw in Sydney. Los Angeles Times. February 24, 2014. November 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181115030825/http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-dodgers-clayton-kershaw-sydney-20140224-story.html#axzz2uMohA5cD#axzz2uMohA5cD. November 15, 2018. live.
- Web site: Texas Rangers Opening Day Starters. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: History of Rangers Ballparks. Texas Rangers. Major League Baseball. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Fergie Jenkins Stats. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Gaylord Perry Stats. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Nolan Ryan. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Chicago White Sox at Washington Senators Box Score, April 10, 1961. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Detroit Tigers at Washington Senators Box Score, April 9, 1962. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Baltimore Orioles at Washington Senators Box Score, April 8, 1963. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Los Angeles Angels at Washington Senators Box Score, April 13, 1964. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Boston Red Sox at Washington Senators Box Score, April 12, 1965. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Cleveland Indians at Washington Senators Box Score, April 11, 1966. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: New York Yankees at Washington Senators Box Score, April 10, 1967. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Minnesota Twins at Washington Senators Box Score, April 10, 1968. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: New York Yankees at Washington Senators Box Score, April 7, 1969. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Detroit Tigers at Washington Senators Box Score, April 6, 1970. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Oakland Athletics at Washington Senators Box Score, April 5, 1971. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at California Angels Box Score, April 15, 1972. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 7, 1973. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Oakland Athletics at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 4, 1974. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Minnesota Twins at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 8, 1975. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Minnesota Twins at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 9, 1976. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, April 7, 1977. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: New York Yankees at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 8, 1978. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Detroit Tigers Box Score, April 7, 1979. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: New York Yankees at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 10, 1980. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at New York Yankees Box Score, April 9, 1981. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Cleveland Indians Box Score, April 10, 1982. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 4, 1983. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Cleveland Indians at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 3, 1984. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, April 8, 1985. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Toronto Blue Jays at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 8, 1986. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, April 6, 1987. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Cleveland Indians at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 4, 1988. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Detroit Tigers at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 4, 1989. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Toronto Blue Jays at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 9, 1990. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Milwaukee Brewers at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 8, 1991. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners Box Score, April 6, 1992. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, April 5, 1993. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at New York Yankees Box Score, April 4, 1994. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at New York Yankees Box Score, April 26, 1995. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 1, 1996. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Milwaukee Brewers at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 1, 1997. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers Box Score, March 31, 1998. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Detroit Tigers at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 5, 1999. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 3, 2000. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Toronto Blue Jays Box Score, April 1, 2001. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics Box Score, April 1, 2002. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Anaheim Angels Box Score, March 30, 2003. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics Box Score, April 5, 2004. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Box Score, April 5, 2005. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 3, 2006. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Box Score, April 2, 2007. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners Box Score, March 31, 2008. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Cleveland Indians at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 6, 2009. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Toronto Blue Jays at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 5, 2010. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 1, 2011. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 6, 2012. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Houston Astros Box Score, March 31, 2013. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Philadelphia Phillies at Texas Rangers Box Score, March 31, 2014. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics Box Score, April 6, 2015. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 4, 2016. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Cleveland Indians at Texas Rangers Box Score, April 3, 2017. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Houston Astros at Texas Rangers Box Score, March 29, 2018. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Chicago Cubs at Texas Rangers Box Score, March 28, 2019. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Colorado Rockies at Texas Rangers Box Score, July 24, 2020. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. July 27, 2020.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Kansas City Royals Box Score, April 1, 2021. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference.
- Web site: Texas Rangers at Toronto Blue Jays Box Score, April 8, 2022. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference.
- Web site: Philadelphia Phillies at Texas Rangers Box Score, March 30, 2023. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference.
- Web site: Chicago Cubs at Texas Rangers Box Score, March 28, 2024. Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference.