Texas Rangers
From the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s collection containing tens of thousands of artifacts, our curators have created each team’s Starting Nine by hand-picking nine must-see pieces for each of the 30 MLB teams. This limited-time list is the perfect introduction to the Museum for every Texas Rangers fan. Don’t wait to make your visit to Cooperstown to take the Hall of Fame Starting Nine challenge.
Juan GonzÁlez: RBI Record Bat
Long-time Rangers slugger Juan González swung this bat during April 1998, when he drove in a record-tying 35 RBI on his way to his second AL Most Valuable Player Award. A three-time All-Star, González topped the 40-home-run mark five times and remains the franchise record holder with 372 homers and 1,180 RBI.
¡Viva Baseball!
IvÁn Rodríguez: Home Run Record Bat
Iván Rodríguez, the Rangers’ much-beloved catcher, made his mark both at the plate and behind it. On Oct. 1, 1999, “Pudge” drilled a home run with this bat for his 35th round-tripper of the season, a new AL record for catchers. The 14-time All-Star was also named the AL MVP that season.
¡Viva Baseball!
Chuck Morgan: microphone
Rangers public address announcer Chuck Morgan used this microphone on Sept. 26, 2020, to call his 3,000th consecutive game. Beginning in 1983, Morgan has been the Voice of the Texas Rangers in all three of the club’s ballparks, orchestrating lineups, music and announcements into a perfect summer symphony for baseball fans.
Sacred Ground
Álex Rodríguez: 2002 Season Bat
Rangers shortstop Álex Rodríguez used this bat during September 2002, when his nine home runs and 23 RBI contributed to his major league-leading total of 57 homers and 142 RBI for the season. He earned his sixth of 14 All-Star nods that season, and sixth of 10 Silver Sluggers.
One for the Books
Nolan Ryan: Seventh No-Hitter Cap
At Arlington Stadium on May 1, 1991, Rangers icon Nolan Ryan donned this cap and pitched on short rest because he wanted an extra start in front of the home fans. The result was his magnificent seventh no-hitter, with the 44-year-old Ryan striking out 16 Toronto Blue Jays, walking just two, and cementing his place in baseball lore.
One for the Books
Rangers 30-3 Victory Baseball
In the greatest offensive explosion in AL history, the Texas Rangers battered the Baltimore Orioles, 30-3, on Aug. 22, 2007. The Rangers posted six home runs, 29 hits and eight walks in the thrashing. Because he pitched three innings, Rangers reliever Wes Littleton earned the save with this final out ball.
One for the Books
Bengie Molina: Cycle Bat
On July 16, 2010, Texas catcher Bengie Molina used this bat to single, double and hit a grand slam against Boston. Molina then smashed a deep blast to center and chugged safely into third. With the hit, Molina became the majors’ only catcher to record a grand slam in a cycle.
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Michael Young: 2,000th Hit Jersey
Texas veteran Michael Young wore this jersey on August 7, 2011, while recording his 2,000th career hit. Young’s infield dribbler also extended his franchise hits record in the Rangers’ 5-3 victory over the visiting Cleveland Indians. The seven-time All-Star eventually smacked a franchise-best 2,230 hits for the Rangers.
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Adrian Beltré: 2015 Glove
Well known for his bat, Adrian Beltré also earned five Gold Glove Awards his stellar career, his excellence in the field matching that at the plate. He wore this glove in 2015 when he passed Graig Nettles for second place in career games at third base, behind only the great Brooks Robinson.
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