Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers join the entire Major League Baseball community in mourning the passing of Gaylord Perry, who died early Thursday morning at the age of 84.

As part of his illustrious 22-year Hall of Fame career, Gaylord won 48 games over 112 starts in a pair of stints with the Rangers. His 3.26 earned run average with Texas is the second lowest career figure in team history, and he also ranks second with 12 shutouts and third with 55 complete games. From 1975-77 he posted 42 victories while completing 49 starts and was the Rangers’ 1975 pitcher of the year. Gaylord returned to Texas at the age of 41 in 1980 and had a 3.43 ERA over 24 starts.

But more than the numbers, Gaylord was a fierce competitor every time he took the ball and more often than not, gave the Rangers an opportunity to win the game. He was a popular and loyal teammate, and returned to Arlington on a number of occasions over the years. In 1991, Gaylord joined Ferguson Jenkins as the first former Texas Rangers’ players ever elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and flags flew in their honor at Arlington Stadium and The Ballpark in Arlington for a number of years.

The Rangers express their sincere condolences to Gaylord’s family at this difficult time. This baseball great will be missed.