1972 Texas Rangers season
Encyclopedia
The Texas Rangers
1972 season
involved the Rangers finishing sixth in the American League West
with a record of 54 wins and 100 losses. This was the Rangers' first season in Texas
, as well as the club's first year in the AL West, after playing their first 11 seasons in Washington, D.C.
, and from 1969–1971 in the AL East
.
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
1972 season
1972 in baseball
-Labor strife and more moving:1972 was tainted by a players' strike over pension and salary arbitration. The strike erased the first week and a half of the season, and the Leagues decided to just excise the lost portion of the season with no makeups. As a result, an uneven number of games were...
involved the Rangers finishing sixth in the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
with a record of 54 wins and 100 losses. This was the Rangers' first season in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, as well as the club's first year in the AL West, after playing their first 11 seasons in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, and from 1969–1971 in the AL East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
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Offseason
- December 2, 1971: Bernie AllenBernie AllenBernard Keith "Bernie" Allen was a Major League Baseball player for the Minnesota Twins, Washington Senators, New York Yankees, and Montreal Expos. At 6' 0" and 185 lbs, Allen was a second-baseman for most of his career...
was traded by the Rangers to the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for Terry LeyTerry LeyTerrence Richard Ley is a retired baseball pitcher who began his career in the season for the New York Yankees. He was a student of University of Oregon before he was drafted in the 3rd round of the January 1967 draft and was 24 when he made his major league debut on August 20, 1971 for the...
and Gary JonesGary Jones (baseball)Gareth Howell "Gary" Jones is a former left-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played in 1970 and 1971 for the New York Yankees. The brother of fellow MLB player Steve Jones, Gary was 6'0" and 191 pounds.Prior to playing professional baseball, Jones attended Whittier College...
. - December 2, 1971: Del UnserDel UnserDelbert Bernard Unser is a retired Major League Baseball center fielder and utility player who had a 15-year career from 1968 to 1982. Unser played for the Washington Senators from 1968 to 1971 and the Cleveland Indians in 1972...
, Gary Jones, Terry Ley, and Denny RiddlebergerDenny RiddlebergerDennis Michael Riddleberger is a retired American professional baseball player. A pitcher, he was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1967, but never saw playing time in the major leagues until he was traded to the Washington Senators with money for George Brunet...
were traded by the Rangers to the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
for Roy Foster, Ken SuarezKen SuarezKenneth Raymond Suarez is a former right-handed Major League Baseball catcher who played from 1966 to 1973 for the Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers. He was 5'9" tall and he weighed 175 pounds....
, Mike PaulMike PaulMichael George Paul is a former left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1968 to 1974 for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs....
, and Rich HandRich HandRichard Allen Hand . He graduated from Lincoln High School in Seattle and attended University of Puget Sound. He is a retired professional baseball player who played four seasons for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and California Angels of Major League Baseball...
. - December 2, 1971: Paul CasanovaPaul CasanovaPaulino Ortiz Casanova is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1965 to 1974 for the Washington Senators and Atlanta Braves.-Minor league career:...
was traded by the Rangers to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Hal KingHal KingHarold King , is a retired Major League Baseball player who played catcher from -. He played for the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, and Cincinnati Reds....
. - March 4, 1972: Denny McLainDenny McLainDennis Dale "Denny" McLain is a former American professional baseball player, and the last major league pitcher to win 30 or more games during a season —a feat accomplished by only thirteen players in the 20th century....
was traded by the Rangers to the Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for Jim PantherJim PantherJames Edward Panther is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched three seasons in the majors for three different teams: for the Oakland Athletics, for the Texas Rangers, and for the Atlanta Braves.-Sources:...
and Don StanhouseDon StanhouseDonald Joseph Stanhouse is a retired baseball pitcher who had a ten-year major league career from 1972–1980, 1982...
. - March 7, 1972: Tim CullenTim CullenThis article is about the baseball player. For the article about the Wisconsin state politician, see Timothy Cullen . For the article about the former World Bank spokesman see Tim Cullen ....
was released by the Rangers. - Prior to 1972 season: Lew BeasleyLew BeasleyLewis Paige Beasley is a former professional baseball player. He played 25 games in Major League Baseball for the Texas Rangers in 1977, primarily as an outfielder.-External links:...
was acquired by the Rangers from the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
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The first game in Texas
- April 15, 1972: The Rangers played their first game in Texas against the California Angels1972 California Angels seasonThe California Angels season involved the Angels finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 75 wins and 80 losses.-Offseason:* October 27, 1971: Tony González was released by the Angels....
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Opening Day starters
- Dick BillingsDick BillingsRichard Arlin Billings is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, outfielder and third baseman for the Washington Senators/Texas Rangers and St...
- Dick BosmanDick BosmanRichard Allen Bosman is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched for the Washington Senators , Texas Rangers , Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics . Bosman started the final game for the expansion Senators and the first game for the Texas Rangers...
- Tom GrieveTom GrieveThomas Alan Grieve was a Major League Baseball player from 1970-1979 for the Washington Senators, Texas Rangers, New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals...
- Toby HarrahToby HarrahColbert Dale Harrah is a former professional baseball player who played with the Texas Rangers both before and after their 1971 franchise shift before later being traded to the Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees...
- Frank Howard
- Joe LovittoJoe LovittoJoseph Lovitto, Jr. was a center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Texas Rangers . He was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed...
- Elliott MaddoxElliott MaddoxElliott Maddox is an African-American former Major League Baseball American player. Maddox, from 1970 to 1980, played for the Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators/Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, and New York Mets.-Early and personal life:Maddox attended Union High School in...
- Dave NelsonDave NelsonDavid Earl Nelson is a former Major League Baseball player and one of the current broadcasters for the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team on Fox Sports Wisconsin...
- Lenny RandleLenny RandleLeonard Shenoff Randle is a former Major League Baseball player. He was the first-round pick of the Washington Senators in the secondary phase of the June 1970 Major League Baseball Draft, tenth overall.-Early years:...
Notable transactions
- June 6, 1972: 1972 Major League Baseball Draft1972 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1972 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Montreal Expos had perhaps their best draft in franchise history. The Expos grabbed outfielder Ellis Valentine in round two of the June regular phase and then...
- Brian DoyleBrian Doyle (baseball)Brian Reed Doyle is a former Major League Baseball infielder who played for the New York Yankees and Oakland A's. He played primarily as a second baseman. His brother, Denny Doyle, was also a Major League baseball player...
was drafted by the Rangers in the 4th round. - Jim SundbergJim SundbergJames Howard Sundberg is a former professional baseball catcher known for being one of the best defensive catchers of his era. He played for a number of Major League teams, most significantly the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, with whom we won a World Championship...
was drafted by the Rangers in the 8th round, but did not sign.
- Brian Doyle
- July 20, 1972: Don MincherDon Mincher-External links:***...
and Ted KubiakTed KubiakTheodore Rodger Kubiak is a former switch-hitting infielder for the Kansas City Athletics, the Oakland Athletics, the Milwaukee Brewers, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Texas Rangers, and the San Diego Padres. He was a member of the Oakland Athletics teams that won three World Series in a row...
were traded by the Rangers to the Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for Marty MartínezMarty MartínezOrlando "Marty" Martínez Oliva was a utility player, manager, coach and scout in Major League Baseball. Martínez batted switch-hitter and threw right-handed. He was born in Havana, Cuba....
, Vic HarrisVic Harris (second baseman)Victor Lanier Harris is a former Major League Baseball player. He played all or part of eight seasons in the majors between and...
and a player to be named later. - August 31, 1972: Frank Howard was purchased from the Rangers by the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. - September 7, 1972: Rich HintonRich HintonRichard Michael Hinton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of six seasons between and , including three separate stints with the Chicago White Sox.-Draft history:...
was purchased by the Rangers from the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
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Roster
| 1972 Texas Rangers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Pos | Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 133 | 469 | 41 | 119 | .254 | 5 | 58 | 1 | |
| 1B | 95 | 287 | 28 | 70 | .244 | 9 | 31 | 1 | |
| 2B | 74 | 249 | 23 | 48 | .193 | 2 | 21 | 4 | |
| 3B | 145 | 499 | 68 | 113 | .226 | 2 | 28 | 51 | |
| SS | 116 | 374 | 47 | 97 | .259 | 1 | 31 | 16 | |
| LF | 64 | 142 | 12 | 29 | .204 | 3 | 11 | 1 | |
| CF | 117 | 330 | 23 | 74 | .224 | 1 | 19 | 13 | |
| RF | 129 | 429 | 43 | 101 | .235 | 14 | 50 | 4 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 137 | 382 | 34 | 99 | .259 | 3 | 31 | 1 | |
| 98 | 294 | 40 | 74 | .252 | 0 | 10 | 20 | |
| 61 | 191 | 23 | 45 | .236 | 6 | 39 | 2 | |
| 61 | 186 | 8 | 26 | .140 | 0 | 10 | 7 | |
| 72 | 151 | 14 | 24 | .159 | 4 | 19 | 1 | |
| 46 | 147 | 10 | 29 | .197 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| 50 | 122 | 12 | 22 | .180 | 4 | 12 | 0 | |
| 39 | 119 | 8 | 20 | .168 | 1 | 10 | 4 | |
| 46 | 116 | 5 | 26 | .224 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| 22 | 65 | 4 | 12 | .185 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
| 25 | 58 | 3 | 10 | .172 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 26 | 41 | 3 | 6 | .146 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 25 | 33 | 2 | 5 | .152 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 15 | 18 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 173.1 | 8 | 10 | 3.63 | 105 | |
| 30 | 170.2 | 10 | 14 | 3.32 | 109 | |
| 24 | 104.2 | 2 | 9 | 3.78 | 78 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 176.1 | 5 | 12 | 4.29 | 133 | |
| 49 | 161.2 | 8 | 9 | 2.17 | 108 | |
| 36 | 150.2 | 4 | 11 | 4.24 | 95 | |
| 22 | 57 | 2 | 4 | 3.47 | 30 | |
| 4 | 12.2 | 0 | 1 | 2.84 | 7 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 2 | 7 | 15 | 3.20 | 60 | |
| 66 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 2.62 | 51 | |
| 58 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 4.13 | 44 | |
| 35 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4.41 | 27 | |
| 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2.81 | 13 | |
| 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2.38 | 4 | |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.10 | 4 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.86 | 0 |