The Texas Rangers recently announced the details of several initiatives that will be taking place this summer as the club celebrates its 50th anniversary in Arlington.
Major League Baseball came to the city in 1972. Six months earlier, following years of determination by Arlington Mayor Tom Vandergriff, American League owners approved the transfer of the Washington Senators to Tarrant County. The Texas Rangers were born. The club’s first regular season game was played on April 15, 1972. The inaugural game at Arlington Stadium took place on April 21, 1972, a 7-6 win over the Angels.
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Last November, the Rangers unveiled the 50th anniversary logo (pictured above) that is being worn as a patch on the right sleeves of all of the club’s uniform jerseys in 2022. The Rangers will also “turn back the clock” by wearing the team’s home uniform from 1972 for several games, including June 25 vs. Washington, Aug. 13 vs. Seattle, Sept. 25 vs. Cleveland, and Oct. 5 vs. the New York Yankees.
The Rangers are also planning a series of weekend events throughout the season to honor different decades over the last 50 years. The club, in conjunction with The Ranch Productions and Utopia will be the location of the first major public screening of “Facing Nolan,” a documentary about the life and career of Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, following the Rangers’ 1:35 p.m. game with the Atlanta Braves on May 1.
Other Texas Rangers 50th anniversary initiatives include:
Dedicated Web page: The page will feature original content and information on the team’s 50th anniversary activities.
Texas Rangers Hall of Fame Plaques Display: The bronze plaques for the 24 members of the Texas Rangers Baseball Hall of Fame have been relocated to the plaza outside the Northeast entrance to Globe Life Field.
Arlington Street Banners: Current and former Rangers will be featured on a series of street banners to be located in the vicinity of Globe Life Field on Randol Mill Road, Stadium Drive, and Cowboys Way.
Commemorative Poster Series: The Rangers have collaborated with local artists to create a series of five limited edition 50th anniversary commemorative posters. Only 100 of each poster will be sold at the Rangers Authentics kiosk at Globe Life Field with the proceeds benefiting the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.
Shoe Collaboration: The Rangers are partnering with Texas artist Jake Danklefs to create three pairs of custom Nike shoes, one each representing the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s Rangers that will be utilized in three social media sweepstakes during the season.
50th Anniversary Concession Items: The Rangers and their food-service and retail partner at Globe Life Field, Delaware North, have created 50th anniversary souvenir cups and popcorn buckets that will be available at concession stands this season. In addition, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s themed cups will be available during selected 2022 homestands.
Promotional giveaways: The club’s 50th Anniversary promotional giveaways will include bobbleheads of Adrian Beltre, Juan Gonzalez, Ivan Rodriguez, Nolan Ryan, Jim Sundberg, Michael Young, as well as a mystery bobblehead to be distributed at the final Sunday home game on Sept. 25.
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