In 1972, Arlington mayor Tom Vandergriff changed the Metroplex when he facilitated the relocation of the Washington Senators to Texas.
It wasn't until 1996 that the Texas Rangers finally made it to the postseason, and they won their first World Series in 2023. Along the way, there have been plenty of historic moments for the organization in the 50+ years they've spent in Arlington.
MLB.com takes a look at the top moments in franchise history:
1. Seager, Adolis tying, walk-off HRs in Game 1 of the 2023 World Series
The Rangers’ win in Game 1 of the 2023 World Series perhaps presents the two most important images in franchise history: Corey Seager's scream after a game-tying two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning and Adolis García -- the ALCS hero -- making his celebratory sprint around the bases after he walked it off against the D-backs. Texas would head to Arizona with the Fall Classic tied, 1-1, before decisively winning all three at Chase Field for its first title in history.
2. Feliz fans A-Rod to clinch 2010 pennant, the first in franchise history
Rangers closer Neftalí Feliz closed out Game 6 of the 2010 ALCS with a perfect ninth inning against the reigning World Series champion Yankees and sent the Rangers to their first Fall Classic. Feliz froze former Ranger Alex Rodriguez on a 1-2 pitch for the final strike.
Texas would go on to lose to Bruce Bochy’s Giants in five games in the World Series.
3. Ryan's 7th no-hitter
At 44 years old, future Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan tossed the seventh no-hitter of his career and the second of his Rangers tenure on May 1, 1991. He became the oldest player in Major League history to toss a no-no, and he did it while throwing 122 pitches and striking out 16 batters against a talented Blue Jays team that would go on to win the AL East and advance to the ALCS that season.
4. Rogers’ perfect game
Kenny Rogers pitched the first and only perfect game in Rangers history on July 28, 1994, blanking the California Angels in front of 46,581 fans at The Ballpark in Arlington. He was only the fourth left-handed pitcher to throw a perfect game at the time. Though he battled through six three-ball counts, he maintained the perfect game by throwing only 98 pitches.
One of the biggest highlights wasn’t Rogers’ eight strikeouts or his quick pace. It was rookie outfielder Rusty Greer’s diving catch on a Rex Hudler shallow fly ball in the ninth inning, which kept the perfect game alive. Greer also caught Gary DiSarcina's fly ball for the game's final out.
5. Beltré’s 3,000th hit
On July 30, 2017, Adrian Beltré became the 31st Major League player to reach the 3,000-hit mark on a sunny afternoon in Arlington. He accomplished the feat with a double down the third-base line, setting the stage for his family to honor him on the field mid-game.
6. Lee's complete game in Game 5 of the 2010 ALDS
With the series tied at two games apiece, manager Ron Washington looked back to Cliff Lee -- who dealt seven innings of one-run ball in a Game 1 win -- for a rematch with David Price at Tropicana Field. Lee went the distance, tossing a complete game while striking out 11 and allowing one run in a 5-1 Texas win over the Rays. It was the Rangers' first postseason series win in franchise history.
7. Cruz's 2011 ALCS MVP performance
The Rangers won their second AL pennant in style, crushing the Tigers, 15-5, in Game 6 of the ALCS. But it was Nelson Cruz’s performance all series that took center stage. Cruz dominated Detroit -- mashing a walk-off grand slam in Game 2 and going 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the clincher -- to win MVP honors.
The Rangers would fall short once again in the World Series, this time to the Cardinals in heartbreaking fashion. But Cruz nearly brought them to the pinnacle.
8. 1996 AL West title, first in franchise history
This one mostly happened off the field, but on Sept. 27, 1996, the Rangers finally won a division title, led by second-year manager Johnny Oates. Texas needed some help to clinch, losing a 15-inning battle with the Angels at The Ballpark in Arlington, but the A's defeated the Mariners on the West Coast during that game, leaving Texas in sole possession of the AL West crown. Future president George W. Bush was in the stands to celebrate mid-game.
9. Ryan’s 5,000th strikeout
On Aug. 22, 1989, Ryan became the first pitcher in Major League history to record 5,000 career strikeouts. He entered that day against the A's just six strikeouts shy of 5,000. When Rickey Henderson worked a full count in the fifth inning, it could have gone either way. But Henderson swung and missed at a fastball down in the zone, securing history for Ryan.
Ryan would go on to collect 5,714 strikeouts, over 800 more than Randy Johnson in second place (4,875).
10. Adolis caps 2023 ALCS MVP run with monster Game 7
García became a Rangers fan favorite en route to the franchise's first World Series championship when he set a postseason record with 15 RBIs in a single series. He capped it off with a two-homer, five-RBI night in an 11-4 Game 7 win over the Astros in Houston.
Bonus: Rangers beat Orioles, 30-3
In the grand scheme of things, this doesn’t mean much. It didn’t directly lead to the postseason or produce individual feats. But on Aug. 22, 2007, the Rangers set the record for most runs scored in a modern baseball game with a 30-3 thumping over the Orioles at Camden Yards.