Texas Rangers

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Texas Rangers may also refer to: Arts and entertainment: Texas Ranger (film), an Italian Western; Texas Rangers (film), a 2001 American action Western; The Texas Rangers (1936 film), an American Western; The Texas Rangers (1951 film), an American Western in color; The Texas Ranger (film), a 1931 film; The Texas Ranger (magazine), the undergraduate humor publication of the University of Texas at Austin; "Texas Rangers" (Boon), a 1987 British TV episode. Other uses: Texas Rangers (architects), a group of architects at the University of Texas at Austin; Leucophyllum frutescens, an evergreen shrub sometimes called Texas Ranger.

In Their Own Story

The transition from Los Angeles to Texas marked a dramatic shift for Hough, who joined the Rangers in 1980 after being sold by the Dodgers. While he had been a top reliever in California, the Rangers converted him into a starting pitcher, unlocking his potential as an innings-eater. He became the winningest pitcher in franchise history at the time, amassing 139 wins and 1,452 strikeouts before his departure in 1990. His dominance was such that he led the league in complete games in 1984 with 17. The rivalry between Hough’s Rangers and other American League teams often centered on his durability and eccentric pitching style. In one memorable sequence during his final complete game of the 1984 season, while Hough held a lead, Mike Witt threw a perfect game against him, creating a unique historical footnote where two pitchers achieved elite feats in the same contest.

Reader's Guide

See also: Ranger, Texas, a city; Ranger (disambiguation); First Regiment of Texas Mounted Rifle Volunteers, or Hays's Texas Rangers; Tales of the Texas Rangers, 1950s radio and television series; Terry's Texas Rangers, the popular name of the 8th Texas Cavalry; Texas City Rangers, a team of the American Basketball Association which began in 2008; Walker, Texas Ranger, a TV series starring Chuck Norris.

Did You Know?

• Hough left the Texas Rangers in 1990 as the franchise leader in wins (139), strikeouts (1,452), innings pitched (2,308), complete games (98), and losses (123).
• In 1987, Hough’s catcher Geno Petralli committed four passed balls in one inning to tie the major league record.
• Hough made his only All-Star team appearance while playing for Texas in 1986.
• During the 1984 season, Hough led the league with 17 complete games; in his final complete game of that year, opposing pitcher Mike Witt threw a perfect game.
• Hough threw his "dancing knuckleball" approximately 80% of the time while pitching for Texas.