In 1901 a team now called the Rangers playead their first major league game. The team was the Washington Senators. The Senators entered to replace the Washington Senators who were moving to Minnesota to become the Minnesota Twins. In each of their first four seasons the struggling Senators lost at least 100 games. The Senators finished in last place each of their first years until 1964 when they improved to ninth place.

Although it may seem the Senators had no talent on the team, they did. Pitcher Dick Donovan had an astounding 2.40 ERA in 1960, but due to injuries, he only had a 10-10 record. A few seasons later Donovan along two other players was traded to Cleveland for star outfielder Jimmy Piersall. Unfortunately for Washington, Piersall proved to be a big disappointment only hitting .240 while for Cleveland. Donovan was in his prime winning twenty games.

However not all of their trades were disastrous. The Senators sent promising pitcher Claude Osteen to Los Angles for five other players including third basemen Ken McMullen and hard-hitting outfielder Frank Howard. Although Osteen pitched terrifically in Los Angeles, both McMullen and Howard held up their end of the deal becoming some of the league's greatest stars.

The year 1969 turned into a one-year phenomenon. Under rookie management of Ted Williams, the Senators enjoyed a season with a winning percentage of over .500 for the first time and finished fourth in the American League. Also, several players like McMullen and Howard had career best seasons. Sadly, 1969 was a one-year spark.

After losing two seasons in 1970 and 1971 and much of their fan support, the Rangers moved to Arlington, Texas where they became the Texas Rangers. After many losing seasons from 1972-1980, the Rangers had a .581 winning percentage in 1981. In 1986, the Rangers had another strong season. With Charlie Hough's knuckleball, strong hitters, Pete O'Brian and Larry Parish, and managed by rookie Bobby Valentine, the Rangers sparked to a second place finish.

In 1989, George W. Bush invested in the Rangers. Things kept getting better and better. Strikeout king Nolan Ryan returned to the American League. That season in 1980, Ryan struck out his 5,000th batter. In 1990, Ryan hurled his 6th no-hitter along with his 300th win while young Rafael Palmeiro brought power to Texas. Just a few seasons later, the Rangers acquired star Juan Gonzalez.

Lately the Texas Rangers have been a franchise full of ups and downs. In the mid 1990s, they made it to the playoffs a few times. However, they traded Juan Gonzalez to Detroit. Now they have made huge trades during the off-season including one of the best players around Alex Rodriguez for the most expensive contract in baseball history of $252 million. They definitely have large World Series chances in the near future.