Rangers: A painful look back at the history of Rangers pitching

Part Two: A New Beginning

After 1971, the Washington Senators left D.C. for the greener pastures of Arlington, Texas. The Texas Rangers began play on April 15, 1972, at Arlington Stadium. Failure would follow the team to Texas. 1973, the team’s second year in Texas, was a complete disaster. Three starting pitchers had ERAs over 5.00 and the team ranked last in that category, yet again. The Rangers pitching rotation was drowning the team and changes were necessary.

Texas made a solid trade in 1974 for Fergie Jenkins, who carried the team to 25 wins in his first year, which still stands as a team record. That season,

Jenkins held a solid 2.82 ERA with a 1.008 WHIP. Jenkins would put in a couple more solid years as a Rangers pitcher, but it was that 1974 season that is remembered so fondly.

Gaylord Perry was also signed in 1975, giving the Rangers two Hall of Fame pitchers at the same time! Do not get too excited though because they would not help the Rangers win many games during their short tenures.

The rest of the 1970s were fairly uneventful for the Rangers. They teased division runs and even leads before succumbing to the Texas heat. The pitching did their job and ranked near the top for most of the decade. That is not what we want here. We want Sam Dyson-esque implosions. So, let’s find them!