Texas Rangers Baseball

Arlington, Texas is one of only thirty cities in the Unites States with a Major League Baseball team. We welcome you to experience Texas Rangers baseball during your next vacation to Arlington, Texas at the 49,115-seat Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Come see Rangers baseball in action and join the crowd as we cheer on famous traditions and welcome exciting, new talent to the field.

Check out the Texas Rangers 2008 schedule and plan to be part of a rich Arlington tradition!

2008 Rangers Season Tickets

See exciting Rangers action for 81 games in 2008 with a Full-Season Plan. Click here for more information on 2008 Texas Rangers Season Tickets.

Texas Rangers Baseball located at
The Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
1000 Ballpark Way #400
Arlington, TX 76011
(817) 273-5222
http://texas.rangers.mlb.com

Josh Hamilton Named American League “Player of the Month”

The Texas Rangers have a new center fielder that has started his first year in Arlington with a bang: Josh Hamilton received the American League’s award for “Player of the Month” for April.

Hamilton batted .330 with a league-leading 32 RBI’s for the month. It was the second most RBI’s to start a season in Rangers’ history, second only to Juan Gonzalez’s 35 in 1998. In addition to a sizzling bat, Hamilton has performed well defensively making several spectacular catches.

What’s even better news for Rangers fans? How about Hamilton saying that he’s just getting started?

“I just don’t feel like I’ve put everything together yet,” says Hamilton. “I don’t feel like I’ve had a game where I’ve done everything.”

Opponents would beg to differ. Hamilton has been the Rangers’ best offensive weapon and most consistent hitter through the early portion of the season. And he’s taken hits away from opponents with running, diving catches in center field.

Interestingly, this is the second consecutive year in which Hamilton has been honored for his work to start a season. Last year as a member of the Cincinnati Reds, he was named the National League’s “Rookie of the Month” for April when he hit six home runs and batted .266.

Last year’s rookie season was later derailed by injuries including two trips to the disabled list as a member of the Reds. He played only 90 games for Cincinnati in 2007. An off season trade in December brought Hamilton from Cincinnati to Arlington. Since becoming a Ranger, durability has not been an issue. He was the only Ranger to start each of the team’s first 30 games.

“I’ve tried to give him days off, but he didn’t want them,” notes Rangers manager Ron Washington. “His days off were the days he was DH (designated hitter). As we get deeper into the season, I will do it. I know we’ve got to watch him.”

Hamilton is trying to make up for lost time as a major leaguer. He missed 3 ½ seasons due to drug abuse.

The former #1 overall pick of the 1999 Draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Hamilton was destined for stardom. But drug use derailed his career. He was suspended by Major League Baseball in February, 2004 for violating the league’s joint drug treatment and prevention program. He played in only 15 professional games in a span of four years from 2003-2006. When he returned to the major leagues as a Cincinnati Red in 2007, he played so well that he received more write-in votes on the All-Star ballot than any other major leaguer. He went on hit .292 as a rookie with 19 home runs and 47 RBI. In recognition of his accomplishments, Hamilton received both the Hutch Award and Tony Conigliaro Award which are given annually to the major league players who exemplify the fighting spirit and courageousness to overcome adversity.

Even more important than his production on the field is the fact that he has stayed clean off-the-field. A happily married father of two daughters (ages 7 and 2), Hamilton is a frequent speaker at churches and community organizations. He shares his story of drug abuse and speaks of the travails of overcoming addiction.

Hamilton has been a welcome addition to Arlington not only as the star center fielder for the Texas Rangers, but as an active member of the community who is willing to share his story with others in hopes that youth and adults alike will avoid the downward spiral of addiction.