2008 Texas Rangers season
Encyclopedia
The Texas Rangers
' 2008 season
was the 48th year of the franchise and 37th since moving to Arlington, Texas
. The organization, after finishing second in the American League Western Division in 2007. The new season would be the first under the oversight of newly-hired club president and former Ranger great Nolan Ryan
. Upon his hire, Ryan indicated that his role in the 2008 season would be largely observational with regard to baseball operations, and any major changes would be made following the conclusion of the regular season.
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...
' 2008 season
2008 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:* Regular Season Champions* World Series Champions – Philadelphia Phillies** American League Champions – Tampa Bay Rays** National League Champions – Philadelphia Phillies* Postseason – October 1 to October 29...
was the 48th year of the franchise and 37th since moving to Arlington, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
. The organization, after finishing second in the American League Western Division in 2007. The new season would be the first under the oversight of newly-hired club president and former Ranger great Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
. Upon his hire, Ryan indicated that his role in the 2008 season would be largely observational with regard to baseball operations, and any major changes would be made following the conclusion of the regular season.
Notable Offseason Transactions
The Rangers' offseason was filled with activity as Jon Daniels moved to quickly acquire talent both on and off the field. The 2007 club roster fielded several arbitration-eligible players, whose status for 2008 remained unsure. Several of these players would sign short-term contracts with the Rangers while others would seek playing time elsewhere.2007
- OFs Sammy SosaSammy SosaSamuel Peralta "Sammy" Sosa is a Dominican former professional baseball right fielder. Sosa played with four Major League Baseball teams over his career which spanned from 1989-2007....
, Brad WilkersonBrad WilkersonStephen Bradley "Brad" Wilkerson is a former American college and professional baseball player who was an outfielder and first baseman in Major League Baseball for eight seasons in the 2000s. Wilkerson played college baseball for the University of Florida, and was selected by the Montreal Expos...
, and IF Jerry Hairston, Jr.Jerry Hairston, Jr.Jerry Wayne Hairston, Jr. is a Mexican-American professional baseball utility player.-Professional career:...
signed with other clubs in the offseason. - Hitting coach Rudy JaramilloRudy JaramilloRudolpho "Rudy" Jaramillo [ha-dah-MEE-yoh] is the hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs. During his time with the Texas Rangers, Jaramillo was the first individual in Rangers history to serve more than eight seasons on their major league coaching staff. He served as the Texas Rangers' major league...
signed a new 2-year contract with the Rangers; RHPs Frank FranciscoFrank FranciscoFranklin Thomas Francisco is a relief pitcher.-Baseball career:Francisco was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox. He was traded by the Red Sox to the Chicago White Sox on July 31, , along with Byeong Hak An in exchange for reliever Bob Howry...
and Joaquin BenoitJoaquín BenoitJoaquín Antonio Benoit Peña is a Dominican professional baseball relief pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball in the United States. He is 6'3" and weighs 220 pounds.-Texas Rangers:...
also signed 1- and 2-year extensions with the club. - RHP Warner MadrigalWarner MadrigalWarner Antonio Madrigal is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher in the New York Yankees organization.-Professional career:...
signed as a minor league free agent after the Los Angeles Angels failed to add him to the team's 40-man roster before free agency began. - December 8: OF Milton BradleyMilton BradleyMilton Bradley , an American game pioneer, was credited by many with launching the board game industry in North America with Milton Bradley Company....
signed a 1-year contract for $5 million. - December 21: OF Josh Hamilton acquired from the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for RHP Edinson VolquezEdinson VolquezEdinson Volquez [VOL-kez] , is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds. He bats and throws right-handed....
and RHP Danny Herrera. - December 29: 1B Chris Shelton acquired from 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...
in exchange for minor league OF Freddy GuzmanFreddy GuzmánFreddy Antonio Guzmán is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.-Baseball career:...
.
January 2008
- January 5: 1B Ben BroussardBen BroussardBenjamin Isaac Broussard is an American former Major League Baseball first baseman. He is currently a musician. Broussard was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft...
acquired via trade from the Seattle MarinersSeattle MarinersThe Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for minor leaguer Tug Hulett and signed to a 1-year contract worth $3.85 million, avoiding salary arbitration. - January 11–18: LHP Eddie GuardadoEddie GuardadoEdward Adrian Guardado is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Throughout his career, Guardado had played with the Minnesota Twins , Seattle Mariners , Cincinnati Reds , and the Rangers .His common nickname is "Everyday Eddie", a testament to his durable arm during his first stint with the...
($2 million), RHP Jason JenningsJason JenningsJason Ryan Jennings is an American Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent.-High school/college years:...
($4m), C Gerald LairdGerald LairdGerald Lee Laird III is an American professional baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers. He graduated La Quinta High School in 1998, and played college baseball at Cypress College...
($6m), and OF Marlon ByrdMarlon ByrdMarlon Jerrard Byrd , popularly known as The Position or The Possish or Sish, is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs...
($1.8m) all signed 1-year contracts with the Rangers. - January 14: RHP Kazuo FukumoriKazuo Fukumoriis a Japanese right-handed relief pitcher in the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles organization.-Biography:Fukumori was unable to advance to the National High School Baseball Championship during his high school years, losing in the prefectural final for three consecutive years...
agreed to a 2-year contract worth $3 million. - January 25: RHP Armando GalarragaArmando GalarragaArmando Antonio Galarraga is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Galarraga made his Major League Baseball debut with the Texas Rangers on September 15, 2007...
designated for assignment and traded to the Tigers in exchange for minor league OF Michael Hernandez.
February and March
- February 19: 2B Ian KinslerIan KinslerIan Michael Kinsler is a Major League Baseball All-Star second baseman for the Texas Rangers.Despite having been drafted in only the 17th round out of college, Kinsler has risen to become a two-time All Star, and a member of the Sporting News 2009 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball...
signed a 5-year extension for $22 million, keeping him with the Rangers through 2012. - February 25: The Rangers agreed to terms with 7 players: OF David Murphy, 3B Travis MetcalfTravis MetcalfTravis A. Metcalf is a professional baseball player, currently playing for the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League...
, RHPs Brandon McCarthyBrandon McCarthyBrandon Patrick McCarthy is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Oakland Athletics.-Early life:He graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2001....
and Wes LittletonWes LittletonWes Avi Littleton is a right-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is presently a free agent...
, and LHP A.J. Murray. The other two, RHPs Alexi OgandoAlexi OgandoAlexi Ogando is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers.-Oakland Athletics:Ogando was born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, and originally signed with the Oakland Athletics as an outfielder in...
and Omar BeltreOmar BeltréOmar Beltre is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Early years:...
remained on the restricted list until their legal issues were resolved prior to the 2010 season2010 Texas Rangers seasonThe Texas Rangers’ 2010 season was the 50th in franchise history. The team, managed by Ron Washington, won their first division title since 1999 and reached the World Series for the first time in only their fourth playoff appearance. Washington would become only the second manager in franchise...
. - February 28: General Manager Jon DanielsJon DanielsJon Daniels is the current General Manager of the Texas Rangers, a Major League Baseball. When hired, at age 28, he was the youngest GM in Major League Baseball history. And as of 2011 was still the youngest GM.-Biography:...
and Rangers President Nolan Ryan signed contracts through the 2011 season. - March 25: OF Nelson Cruz designated for assignment, cleared waivers, and later assigned to the minor leagues.
Opening Day starters
- Gerald LairdGerald LairdGerald Lee Laird III is an American professional baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers. He graduated La Quinta High School in 1998, and played college baseball at Cypress College...
, C - Ben BroussardBen BroussardBenjamin Isaac Broussard is an American former Major League Baseball first baseman. He is currently a musician. Broussard was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft...
, 1B - Ian KinslerIan KinslerIan Michael Kinsler is a Major League Baseball All-Star second baseman for the Texas Rangers.Despite having been drafted in only the 17th round out of college, Kinsler has risen to become a two-time All Star, and a member of the Sporting News 2009 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball...
, 2B - Hank BlalockHank BlalockHank Joe Blalock is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.-High school:Blalock attended Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, California...
, 3B - Michael Young, SS
- David Murphy, LF
- Josh Hamilton, CF
- Marlon ByrdMarlon ByrdMarlon Jerrard Byrd , popularly known as The Position or The Possish or Sish, is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs...
, RF - Milton BradleyMilton BradleyMilton Bradley , an American game pioneer, was credited by many with launching the board game industry in North America with Milton Bradley Company....
, DH - Kevin MillwoodKevin MillwoodKevin Austin Millwood is an American professional baseball pitcher. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles and Colorado Rockies.-Personal life:Millwood graduated from Bessemer City High School in North Carolina...
, RHP
Game log
| 2008 Game Log | |
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Roster
| 2008 Texas Rangers | |||||||||
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| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches (bullpen) (pitching) (bench) (hitting) (first base) (third base) |
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Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
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Starting pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
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Other pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
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Relief pitchers
| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
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