2011 Texas Rangers season

The biggest free agent pitcher of the 2011 market was Cliff Lee. According to major media markets,^[1] Lee's most likely destination for 2011 was a return to Texas, or signing with the New York Yankees. Bob Simpson, a lead investor of Rangers Baseball Express which owns the Rangers, told media "We're going to go after Cliff Lee – hard, and we have the financial firepower to do that."^[2] After an extended process which included a flight by principal owner Chuck Greenberg, team investor Ray Davis, and assistant GM Thad Levine to meet with Lee, his wife, and agent following the winter meeting, Lee signed a five-year deal with the Phillies to return to the team which traded him away at the start of the 2010 season.^[3][4]

On November 3, 2010, the Rangers declined to exercise their 2011 option on Vladimir Guerrero's contract. Guerrero was a type A free agent but the Rangers would not receive draft pick compensation for Guerrero after he signed with the Baltimore Orioles.

Scott Feldman underwent surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee. The rehab time for the surgery will prevent Feldman from returning to compete for a rotation spot for the start of the season.^[5] Feldman was the Texas Rangers' pitcher of the year in 2009 and opening day starter for 2010, but failed to repeat his success in 2010 after signing a three-year extension.

For the second year in a row, the Rangers needed to fill the position of hitting coach after Clint Hurdle took the manager position with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Rangers signed Thad Bosley. Bosley was a member of the A's coaching staff during Washington's time with the A's, and was also teammates with first base coach Gary Pettis in the Rangers organization during his final playing year.

The Rangers signed two players in November: 34-year-old free agent Japanese pitcher Yoshinori Tateyama, a side-arm throwing relief pitcher, and catcher Yorvit Torrealba from the San Diego Padres. Torrealba was a type B free agent and did not cost the Rangers a draft pick for the signing. Bengie Molina, the Rangers' primary catcher in 2010, elected to retire.

On December 26, the Rangers and pitcher Brandon Webb agreed to terms for a one-year contract. Webb, who was recovering from shoulder surgery, had not pitched in the majors since opening day of 2009.^[6]

The Rangers' biggest free agent move for the 2011 season would be the signing of third baseman Adrián Beltré. The six-year, $96 million deal would force incumbent veteran Michael Young into his fourth position with the Rangers.^[7] Although Young was hesitant to make another position move, Young told the Rangers and the media he was willing to switch to designated hitter in order for the Rangers to sign Beltre.^[8] With the signing of Beltre and move of Young, the Rangers did not continue to attempt to re-sign Guerrero, who would sign a one-year deal with the Orioles.

In late January the Rangers made their biggest trade of the offseason when long-time trade target Mike Napoli was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for relief pitcher Frank Francisco. Napoli became available to the Rangers after being sent to the Blue Jays with Juan Rivera just three days earlier in exchange for Vernon Wells.^[9] The weakening of the bullpen from the loss of Francisco would not be the biggest problem from the Napoli trade as DH utility infielder Michael Young would demand his second trade request in three years.^[10] After a press conference in which Rangers president Nolan Ryan and GM Jon Daniels acknowledged Young's trade request, indicating Young had a change of heart after initially agreeing to be the primary designated hitter, Young fired back telling the press^[11]

The suggestion that I had a change of heart and asked for a trade is a manipulation of the truth. I asked for a trade because I've been misled and manipulated and I'm sick of it.

— Michael Young

Although trade rumors concerning Young would continue after his demand, as it did during and after the winter meetings, no trade would be forthcoming and Young reported for Spring training on time.

With an infield and outfield set, and multiple players able to cover in different positions, the rotation and bullpen would be the biggest questions for the front office to handle. C. J. Wilson was named the opening day starter early on, followed by Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter. Free agent Brandon Webb would continue to prepare for a return to baseball, but would not be ready in time for opening day and would start the season on the disabled list. An injury to Hunter^[12] would place him on the disabled list to start the season, and Matt Harrison, who had earned the fourth spot, would be moved to third. The remaining candidates, Derek Holland, Michael Kirkman, Eric Hurley, and closer Neftalí Feliz, would continue to compete for the final two spots. Kirkman and Hurley were sent to AAA, and Feliz was returned to the closer role due to a weakened bullpen. Reliever Alexi Ogando would be the number 5 starter behind Holland to start the season.^[13]

On March 11, just 220 days after acquiring the team from auction, Chuck Greenberg would resign as CEO from the Rangers. The resignation came about due to different management styles between Greenberg and president Nolan Ryan. Ryan added the CEO title to his position.^[14]

I have great respect for the Texas Rangers franchise and am enormously proud of all we have accomplished together since August. Unfortunately, Nolan Ryan, the Co-Chairmen, and I have somewhat different styles. While I am disappointed we did not work through our differences, I remain wholeheartedly committed to doing what's right for the franchise. Together we concluded it is best for all concerned for me to sell my interest back to Rangers Baseball Express and move on. I do so with a heavy heart, but with every confidence in the direction that the new management team is taking the Rangers and, with Nolan at the helm, I know this franchise will continue to thrive and reach even greater heights both on and off the field.

— Chuck Greenberg, former CEO Texas Rangers^[15]

Although the rift between Greenberg and Ryan were never publicly discussed by the Rangers, reports indicated two major events that might have directly led to the removal of Greenberg, Greenberg's involvement with additional attempts to sign Cliff Lee, and his involvement with potential Young trades after Young demanded a trade, most specifically that Greenberg demanded Young forfeit deferred interest due to him by the Rangers. The demand would have been a violation of the MLB CBA.^[16]

During spring training GM Jon Daniels and Young met twice to discuss the situation leading to Young's trade demand. Daniels said it was the Rangers' continued trade discussions after Young being told he would not be traded once third baseman Adrián Beltré was acquired that helped lead to the trade demand.^[17]

The Rangers later traded Matt Treanor to the Kansas City Royals (Treanor would later be traded back to the Rangers at the end of August).

Record 16–11

Rotation: C. J. Wilson, Colby Lewis, Matt Harrison, Derek Holland, Alexi Ogando, Dave Bush

For the first time under manager Ron Washington the Rangers would finish the month of April with a record above .500. After sweeping the first two series against Boston and Seattle the Rangers would take their first loss of the season against Baltimore in the first game of a double header on April 9 after the series opener was rained out. The Rangers were the last team in the 2011 season to record a loss and each Ranger starter would get the win from game 2 through game 6, the first team to have 5 different starters win at least 1 game each. After the Baltimore series the Rangers would lose three straight series versus the Tigers, Yankees, and Angels. A sweep of the Royals, a 1–3 series loss to Toronto, and a two-game split with Oakland would finish out the month. The Rangers would spend only one day out of first place for the West in the month.

Ian Kinsler would make Major League history by being the first player to hit a lead off home run in the first two games of a season. Kinsler would also set another record along with Nelson Cruz by being the first teammates to hit at least one home run each in each of the first three games of the season. Cruz would go on to hit a home run in the first four games of the season, only the third player in Major League history, and the first to do so in the American League. Shortstop Elvis Andrus would also hit his first home run since 2009 in the fourth game of the season.

Ogando would make his second start against the Detroit Tigers and earn his second win. In each of his first two starts of the season he went 6+ innings, earned the win, and gave up 2 or fewer hit in each start, joining only 4 other pitchers since 1919 to do so. Ogando would be the first to do so without giving up a run.^[18]

On April 12 left fielder Josh Hamilton left the game after a first-inning play at the plate. The Rangers would ultimately lose their second game of the season and Hamilton would be diagnosed with a fracture in his right shoulder. After the game, Hamilton expressed his concern about the play before running calling it a "stupid play" and thinking "I don't want to do this... something is going to happen" but said he listened to his third base coach and ran on the infield foul out.^[19]

As a result of the rainout versus Baltimore on April 8, starter Colby Lewis pitched one day later than scheduled. This would force Lewis to miss his next start on April 13 against Detroit and resulted in Lewis missing a second start for the birth of his child. Local blogger and radio shock jock Richie Whitt would criticize the Rangers' and Lewis' decision to take a leave as a result of the birth of Lewis' second child. Whitt pointed out a starter only gets thirty or so chances to impact a baseball game, and since players are paid millions, the birth of a child should be planned for the off season if need be.^[20] Dallas Morning News reporter Evan Grant countered the blog posting stating it was the rain delayed Baltimore game which caused Lewis' next start to be a day later, resulting in Lewis missing his next start to attend the planned birth of his second child. Grant also reported Lewis offered to make a short rested start before the leave to avoid missing a start, and was declined by the Rangers to do so.^[21] Dave Bush would get the starts in Lewis' place. Bush would be the last player who started the season on a team's 25-man roster to make his 2011 debut. Left-handed pitcher Michael Kirkman would be called up during Lewis' leave.

On April 15 the Rangers and pitcher Matt Harrison would tie the MLB record by turning 6 double plays in the game. When Lewis returned on April 18, reliever Mark Lowe was optioned to AAA. Rule 5 draft pick Mason Tobin would leave the April 19 game with an injury and be placed on the 60-day DL the next day. Closer Neftalí Feliz would be sent to the 15-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation on April 23 and Darren O'Day would go on the 60-day DL with a torn labrum in his hip. Darren O'Day would also be placed on the 60-day DL on April 27 with a torn labrum in his left hip.

Record (month, year): 13–15, 29–26

Rotation: Matt Harrison, Derek Holland, Alexi Ogando, C. J. Wilson, Colby Lewis, Dave Bush

After losing their May 1 game, the Rangers were tied for first place with the Angels until falling to second place on May 5. The Rangers spent the next eleven days out of first place, falling as far as third in the division, but never fell below 2 games behind the Angels and retook the division lead on May 16. The Rangers would finish the month .5 game up on Seattle and 1 game up on the Angels.

After several weeks of speculation, the Rangers signed Cuban defect Leonys Martín on May 4 for a $15.5 million major league contract and added him to the 40-man roster. The Rangers also recalled Mark Lowe to the majors and option Pedro Strop to AAA.

Closer Neftalí Feliz returned from the DL on May 6. Nelson Cruz was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained right quadriceps muscle on May 7. Craig Gentry was called up to replace Cruz on the roster.

The May 11 day game between the Texas Rangers and Oakland A's was postponed due to rain in the middle of the fourth inning. After a 2-hour, 21-minute delay, the game was called. The Rangers held a commanding 7–0 lead in part due to a Mitch Moreland grand slam, but because the game was called before the end of the fifth inning, all results from the game were voided. Although both teams had the next day off, the game was not able to be made up the following day because the Rangers had played the previous 20 days in a row, and it is against MLBPA rules to play more than 20 days in a row. The game would instead be made up in on a fateful July 7 day.

Julio Borbon pulled a hamstring during the May 13 game and was placed on the 15-day DL. During this time, all three starting outfielders would be on the DL. Journeyman centerfielder Endy Chávez was called up to replace Borbon. To make room for the addition of Chávez on the 40 man roster, Brandon Webb was placed on the 60 man DL. Chávez had been with the Rangers organization on a minor league contract since 2010 while recovering from a torn ACL suffered during the 2009 season.

The Rangers took first place in the division back on Colby Lewis' first career shutout on May 16.

Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz returned to the team from the DL on May 23.

A second Rangers home game was delayed due to rain in May. The 7:00 May 24 game against the Chicago White Sox resulted in fans' evacuating the playing field and being placed in the underground entrances by ballpark officials with a "tornadic supercell" less than 10 miles from the ballpark. The teams played again at 1:00 CST the next day, but the umpiring crew concluded the game should be continued and play resumed after a three-hour delay.

Off the field, on May 26 the Rangers officially removed rookie play-by-play man John Rhadigan from the TV booth and sent him back to the Fox Sports Southwest post-game and pre-game show. Rhadigan had moved to the TV booth to replace long-time play-by-play game caller Josh Lewin, whose contract expired at the end of the 2010 season. Rhadigan had no play-by-play experience prior to the season, and was often lampooned by fans of the time on the Internet for his in-game mistakes and inability to correctly and timely describe the action on the field.^[22]

Record (month, year) 14–13, 43–39

Rotation: Alexi Ogando, Derek Holland, C. J. Wilson, Colby Lewis, Matt Harrison

The Rangers would hold onto first place for the entire month of June, but would lead the division by no more than 2.5 games during the month and ended with a 1-game lead over the Angels.

After completing his DL stint, centerfielder Julio Borbon was optioned to AAA on June 3. If Borbon had been returned to the ML roster, David Murphy, Endy Chávez, or Craig Gentry would have been removed from the 25 man roster. Although Murphy was having a bad offensive year coming into June, he still represented a better offensive potential than the remaining outfielders, and Gentry was the only right-handed outfielder other than Nelson Cruz. Chavez was out of options and in order to remain in the organization, would have had to have been placed on waivers and options to AAA.

Ian Kinsler went on paternity leave on June 8. The same day the Rangers also announced the dismissal of hitting coach Thad Bosley for communication differences. Beat writer Evan Grant reported after the dismissal one example taking place between Bosley and catcher Yorvit Torrealba.^[23]

[T]here had been some recent confrontations with players. Perhaps the most serious of those was an incident between Bosley and struggling catcher Yorvit Torrealba. According to multiple sources, Torrealba asked in Philadelphia if he could take some extra batting practice swings since pitcher Colby Lewis declined to participate in batting practice on the day he was pitching. It was, according to sources, agreed upon that Torrealba could hit in two different groups. But when he stepped in with the second group, sources said, Bosley told him he was not supposed to take the additional swings. Torrealba then left the field. An argument between the two ensued in the clubhouse.

— Evan Grant, June 9, 2011.

The Rangers replaced Bosley by promoting AAA hitting coach and former Ranger's player Scott Coolbaugh. Coolbaugh is the third hitting coach in two seasons following Rudy Jaramillo's 14 years as Texas' hitting coach.

Mike Napoli was placed on the 15-day DL on June 12 with a strained left oblique muscle.

Former reliever Alexi Ogando recorded a 7–0 record before losing his first decision to the New York Yankees on June 14. He would lose the next two decisions finishing June with a 7–3 record.

Record (month, year) 18–9, 61–48

After ending July 3 tied for first place with the Angels, the Rangers entered the all-star break on a 7-game winning streak. The streak would last another 5 games, the second best winning streak in franchise history. However, the Rangers would get no further than 5 games ahead of the Angels as a result of the streak. The Rangers ended the month 2 games in first place.

Ron Washington and first base coach Gary Pettis were both ejected from the July 3 game after a close call by first base umpire Ángel Hernández. Washington did not engage in the argument between Pettis and Hernández, but began yelling at the umpire after Hernández, according to Washington, "told me my job is to get him (Pettis) off the field. You don't tell me what my job is..... You can't talk to Angel. Angel is the smartest umpire in baseball." Washington was later fined for his comments.^[24]

The following day, Washington pinch hit Mike Napoli for designated hitter Michael Young in the 8 inning of a 13–4 win over the Orioles. At the time of his at bat, Young was a home run short of hitting for the cycle, and Washington later admitted his error by lifting Young for Napoli. It was the second time in Washington's tenure as Rangers' manager that he pinch hit for a batter who was one potential at bat away from completing the cycle.

Prior to the non-waiver trading deadline the Rangers picked up Koji Uehara from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Chris Davis and Mike Adams from the San Diego Padres. Arthur Rhodes was released.

Exactly one year and one day after firefighter Tyler Morris fell from the upper deck onto the lower infield seats, another fan fell from the stands. Shannon Stone, also a firefighter, was in attendance at the July 7 game against Oakland. After left fielder Josh Hamilton retrieved a foul ball, he tossed it into the left field seats toward Stone. Stone, who was in attendance with his son, attempted to catch the ball by leaning over the guardrail when he lost his balance and fell head first between the divider separating the left field wall and the stands. Although Stone was conscious when he left the ballpark, he died on the way to the hospital.

The Rangers started a Shannon Stone memorial fund for the family and plans to place a monument at the homeplate entrance of a father and son walking into the ballpark.

• Michael Young DH
• Josh Hamilton LF
• C. J. Wilson P
• Alexi Ogando P
• Adrián Beltré 3B

Hamilton was the only Ranger selected by fan voting. Young and Beltre were each selected by player voting. Wilson was selected by Washington. This decision did create some criticizing from media and fans, especially those who wanted Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia selected. However, when Washington made the selection he also had the players voting results available to him, and know which pitchers would be selected if other starters were made unavailable due to starting prior to the All-Star game. After starting pitcher Justin Verlander was made unavailable due to his start, the next pitcher selected was Sabathia who also started. The final spot was then awarded to Ogando who had not lost a game when the player voting took place.

Record (month, year) 16–12, 77–60

Prior to the last day of the month the Rangers picked up Michael Gonzalez (also from the Orioles) who received Pedro Strop in exchange, and re-acquired Matt Treanor from the Kansas City Royals.

Record (month, year) 19–6, 96–66

On Friday, September 23, the Rangers (playing at home) defeated the Mariners by a score of 5–3 and moving the magic number to 1 game. Because the Angels had a scheduled start on the west coast, approximately 12,000 fans stayed inside Rangers Ballpark watching the outcome of that game on the scoreboard. Once the Angels were defeated by the Oakland A's by a score of 3–1, making the Rangers American League West champions for the second consecutive year, the Rangers returned to the field to celebrate in front of the fans. In a familiar scene, the Rangers celebrated using ginger ale on-field with Josh Hamilton, but later sprayed each other with champagne once inside the locker room.

By sweeping the Angels in the last away-game series, the Rangers also clinched home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a record of 96–66, second in the American League only to the New York Yankees with a record of 97–65.

After losing the first game of a best-of-5 playoff series against Tampa Bay, the Rangers rebounded to win the next three games (including both games in Tampa Bay) to take the series 3–1. Colby Lewis' game 3 start was only the 17th game in postseason history to have a starter go at least 6 innings with 1 hit or less, and Lewis became the eighth pitcher to do so in a postseason game while recording 6 or more strikeouts.^[25] The Rangers clinched the ALDS in game four and became the third franchise to advance to the ALCS in consecutive years during the past decade. Matt Harrison lasted only 5 innings in game 4, but recorded 9 strikeouts in the outing. Harrison is the 10th player to throw 9 strikeouts or more in fewer than 6 innings in a postseason game.^[26] Adrián Beltré became the fifth player to hit 3 home runs in a playoff game, becoming the first to do so in a League Division Series game. The last time a player hit 3 home runs in a postseason game was 1978 by George Brett.^[27]

Texas won the series, 3-1.

Texas won the series, 4-2.

(a) Game 1 suffered 2 rain delays totaling 1:50

(b) Game 2 was rescheduled from 10/9 to 10/10 due to rain

(c) Game 2 was an 11th-inning walk-off

(d) Game 4 suffered a pre-game rain delay totaling 2:13 and was extended into 11 innings

St. Louis won the series, 4–3.

On November 11, 2010, the Rangers signed free agent draftee Barret Loux. Loux was the 6th pick in the 2010 MLB draft from Texas A&M, by the Arizona Diamondbacks, but Loux failed a physical from the Diamondbacks and a $2 million draft bonus was voided. MLB commissioner Bud Selig ruled the Diamondbacks would receive a compensation pick for the 2011 MLB draft and Loux would be a free agent.^[40][41] Including Loux, the Rangers signed 5 of the first 50 picks from the 2010 MLB draft.

The Rangers signed 18-year-old Dutch shortstop Nick Urbanus in November.^[42] In December the Rangers signed three additional free agents; sixteen-year-old short stop Rougned Odor^[43] from Venezuela, catcher Fernando Vivili from Dominican Republic, and pitcher Jose Leclair, also from the DR.^[44]

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases; BB = Walks; AVG = Batting average; SLG = Slugging average

Source:^[45]

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts

Source:^[46]

• Source: MLB Standings Grid – 2011

• 2011 Texas Rangers season at Official Site Archived May 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
• 2011 Texas Rangers season at Baseball Reference
• Lone Star Ball: Welcome to the Angrydome
• Jamey Newberg's The Newberg Report
• Baseball Time in Arlington, a SweetSpot Network; an ESPN Affiliate
• Dallassportsnetwork.tv: Everything but the games
• MLB Trade Rumors, Texas Rangers
• TR Sullivan's Postcards from Elysian Fields, an MLBlog
• Dallasnews.com's Rangers blog
• Star Telegram Rangers