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

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ARLINGTON, TX – AUGUST 22: Texas Rangers President and CEO Nolan Ryan stands during the National Anthem before the Texas Rangers take on the Boston Red Sox at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on August 22, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Part Four: The Ryan Years

The next few years were rather unenthusiastic. Texas signed some guy named Nolan Ryan in 1989 who pitched some no-hitters and fell into obscurity. Ryan carried the team during the early 90s with some solid years while the rest of the team did their best to sink the team ERA. One notable hero was Oil Can Boyd who retired on top after a 6.68 ERA in 1991.

In 1993 the Rangers gave a good run at the division throughout the season. Things were looking hopeful for the Texas team. They were only a few games out of first when they faced the California Angels in September.

The Angels were deep in 5th place and not going anywhere. The Rangers took a 7-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning. That’s when disaster struck. The Angels scored three runs in the inning off Rangers pitchers Matt Whiteside and Cris Carpenter. The Angels were back in the game.

Texas added another run in the top of the 8th to make it 8-6, but the Angels were not done. In the bottom half of the inning, Tom Henke allowed a three-run home run to give the Angels a 9-8 lead that would eventually give them the win. The Rangers pitching had failed them again.

Nolan Ryan was tired of losing and a lack of postseason appearances. He decided to hang it up after 1993 thanks to games like the one above, along with the fact he spent 27 years in the majors. He remains a Texas icon and his unblemished success is a total slap in the face to the point of this article.

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