1996 Texas Rangers season

Offseason

• October 8, 1995: Scott Podsednik was sent by the Rangers to the Florida Marlins to complete an earlier deal (the Rangers sent players to be named later to the Marlins for Bobby Witt, and sent Wilson Heredia to the Marlins on August 11) and made on August 8, 1995.
• December 21, 1995: Ken Hill was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.
• December 22, 1995: Mike Henneman was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.
• January 16, 1996: Kevin Elster was signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers.

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Notable transactions

• April 13, 1996: Jack Voigt was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.
• June 4, 1996: Travis Hafner was drafted by the Rangers in the 31st round of the 1996 Major League Baseball draft. Player signed June 2, 1997.
• July 31, 1996: Mark Brandenburg and Kerry Lacy were traded by the Rangers to the Boston Red Sox for Mike Stanton and a player to be named later. The Red Sox completed the deal by sending Dwayne Hosey to the Rangers on November 4.

Roster

Game log

Regular season

Game log

|- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 1 || April 1 || || Red Sox || 5–3 || Hill (1–0) || Clemens || Vosberg (1) || || 40,484 || 1–0 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 2 || April 3 || || Red Sox || 7–2 || Pavlik (1–0) || Gordon || — || || 24,483 || 2–0 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 3 || April 4 || || Red Sox || 13–2 || Gross (1–0) || Wakefield || — || || 18,086 || 3–0 || |- style="background:#bbb;" |- style="background:#bfb;" |- style="background:#bfb;" |- style="background:#bfb;" |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 7 || April 9 || || @ White Sox || 3–2 || Gross (2–0) || Thomas || Henneman (2) || || 34,750 || 7–0 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 8 || April 11 || || @ White Sox || 5–8 (11) || Thomas || Henneman (0–1) || || — || 16,685 || 7–1 || |- style="background:#fbb;" |- style="background:#bfb;" |- style="background:#fbb;" |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 12 || April 15 || || Athletics || 3–8 || Mohler || Heredia (0–1) || — || || 19,312 || 8–4 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 13 || April 16 || || Athletics || 5–3 || Witt (2–0) || Johns || Henneman (3) || || 20,948 || 9–4 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 14 || April 17 || || Athletics || 12–1 || Hill (3–1) || Reyes || — || || 24,120 || 10–4 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 15 || April 19 || || style=";" |Orioles || 26–7 || Cook (1–0) || Mercker || Vosberg (4) || || style=";" |41,184 || 11–4 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 16 || April 20 || || style=";" |Orioles || 8–3 || Gross (3–1) || Haynes || — || || style=";" |45,358 || 12–4 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 17 || April 21 || || style=";" |Orioles || 9–6 || Oliver (1–0) || Wells || — || || style=";" |39,456 || 13–4 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 18 || April 22 || || White Sox || 4–12 || Fernandez || Witt (2–1) || Karchner || || 22,348 || 13–5 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 19 || April 23 || || White Sox || 5–6 || Baldwin || Hill (3–2) || Hernandez || || 29,123 || 13–6 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 20 || April 24 || || @ Red Sox || 9–11 || Stanton || Heredia (0–2) || Slocumb || || 19,217 || 13–7 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 21 || April 25 || || @ Red Sox || 3–8 || Wakefield || Gross (3–2) || — || || 20,350 || 13–8 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 22 || April 26 || || style=";" |@ Orioles || 5–4 || Brandenburg (1–0) || Wells || Henneman (4) || || style=";" |44,022 || 14–8 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 23 || April 27 || || style=";" |@ Orioles || 4–2 || Witt (3–1) || Erickson || Vosberg (5) || || style=";" |47,311 || 15–8 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 24 || April 28 || || style=";" |@ Orioles || 5–4 (10) || Heredia (1–2) || McDowell || Henneman (5) || || style=";" |47,327 || 16–8 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 25 || April 29 || || style=";" |@ Orioles || 7–8 || Haynes || Helling (0–1) || Myers || || style=";" |41,503 || 16–9 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 26 || April 30 || || Mariners || 0–8 || Bosio || Gross (3–3) || — || || 27,272 || 16–10 || |- |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 27 || May 1 || || Mariners || 5–4 || Russell (1–0) || Jackson || Henneman (6) || || 31,775 || 17–10 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 28 || May 2 || || @ Tigers || 2–5 || Lira || Witt (3–2) || Williams || || 7,416 || 17–11 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 29 || May 3 || || @ Tigers || 11–0 || Hill (4–2) || Keagle || — || || 9,079 || 18–11 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 30 || May 4 || || @ Tigers || 3–1 || Pavlik (4–0) || Gohr || — || || 10,734 || 19–11 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 31 || May 5 || || @ Tigers || 3–2 || Gross (4–3) || Lima || Henneman (7) || || 12,337 || 20–11 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 32 || May 7 || || Blue Jays || 5–1 || Oliver (2–0) || Guzman || — || || 23,005 || 21–11 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 33 || May 8 || || Blue Jays || 4–2 || Witt (4–2) || Hanson || Henneman (8) || || 20,694 || 22–11 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 34 || May 9 || || Blue Jays || 2–5 || Quantrill || Hill (4–3) || Timlin || || 34,451 || 22–12 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 35 || May 10 || || Tigers || 6–2 || Pavlik (5–0) || Lima || Henneman (9) || || 31,426 || 23–12 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 36 || May 11 || || Tigers || 11–7 || Gross (5–3) || Aldred || — || || 42,732 || 24–12 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 37 || May 12 || || Tigers || 3–5 || Lira || Oliver (2–1) || Myers || || 35,677 || 24–13 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 38 || May 13 || || Royals || 7–6 || Cook (2–0) || Montgomery || Henneman (10) || || 22,981 || 25–13 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 39 || May 14 || || Royals || 10–0 || Hill (5–3) || Gubicza || — || || 28,999 || 26–13 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 40 || May 15 || || Royals || 1–3 || Haney || Pavlik (5–1) || Montgomery || || 26,881 || 26–14 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 41 || May 17 || || @ Indians || 10–12 || Embree || Heredia (1–3) || Mesa || || 41,225 || 26–15 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 42 || May 18 || || @ Indians || 6–3 || Oliver (3–1) || Anderson || Henneman (11) || || 40,973 || 27–15 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 43 || May 19 || || @ Indians || 5–8 || Nagy || Witt (4–3) || Mesa || || 43,299 || 27–16 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 44 || May 21 || || @ Twins || 3–4 || Milchin || Henneman (0–2) || — || || 12,323 || 27–17 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 45 || May 22 || || @ Twins || 6–5 || Pavlik (6–1) || Parra || Henneman (12) || || 17,955 || 28–17 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 46 || May 23 || || @ Royals || 2–4 || Appier || Oliver (3–2) || Montgomery || || 15,612 || 28–18 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 47 || May 24 || || @ Royals || 0–8 || Gubicza || Witt (4–4) || — || || 13,696 || 28–19 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 48 || May 25 || || @ Royals || 2–1 || Helling (1–1) || Haney || Henneman (13) || || 23,668 || 29–19 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 49 || May 26 || || @ Royals || 6–4 || Hill (6–3) || Linton || Henneman (14) || || 22,665 || 30–19 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 50 || May 27 || || Indians || 3–2 || Pavlik (7–1) || McDowell || — || || 46,521 || 31–19 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 51 || May 28 || || Indians || 11–3 || Oliver (4–2) || Hershiser || — || || 35,727 || 32–19 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 52 || May 29 || || Indians || 5–4 || Cook (3–0) || Tavarez || Henneman (15) || || 35,893 || 33–19 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 53 || May 31 || || Twins || 7–2 || Hill (7–3) || Rodriguez || — || || 32,861 || 34–19 || |- |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 54 || June 1 || || Twins || 5–9 || Milchin || Henneman (0–3) || — || || 43,413 || 34–20 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 55 || June 2 || || Twins || 5–6 || Guardado || Russell (1–1) || — || || 33,809 || 34–21 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 56 || June 3 || || @ Brewers || 9–6 || Witt (5–4) || Sparks || Henneman (16) || || 9,748 || 35–21 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 57 || June 4 || || @ Brewers || 2–6 || Bones || Gross (5–4) || — || || 10,685 || 35–22 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 58 || June 5 || || @ Brewers || 4–6 || McDonald || Hill (7–4) || Fetters || || 11,276 || 35–23 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 59 || June 7 || || Blue Jays || 10–7 || Pavlik (8–1) || Janzen || Henneman (17) || || 40,046 || 36–23 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 60 || June 8 || || Blue Jays || 2–0 || Oliver (5–2) || Guzman || — || || 43,439 || 37–23 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 61 || June 9 || || Blue Jays || 8–6 || Witt (6–4) || Hanson || Henneman (18) || || 41,605 || 38–23 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 62 || June 10 || || Brewers || 8–3 || Gross (6–4) || Givens || — || || 43,275 || 39–23 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 63 || June 11 || || Brewers || 4–14 || McDonald || Hill (7–5) || Garcia || || 33,519 || 39–24 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 64 || June 12 || || Brewers || 13–6 || Pavlik (9–1) || Miranda || — || || 34,842 || 40–24 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 65 || June 13 || || @ Red Sox || 7–8 (10) || Slocumb || Henneman (0–4) || — || || 32,645 || 40–25 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 66 || June 14 || || @ Red Sox || 3–4 || Stanton || Witt (6–5) || — || || 29,689 || 40–26 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 67 || June 15 || || @ Red Sox || 13–3 || Gross (7–4) || Wakefield || — || || 33,186 || 41–26 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 68 || June 16 || || @ Red Sox || 9–10 || Hudson || Henneman (0–5) || — || || 30,461 || 41–27 || |- bgcolor="ffffff" | 69 || June 17 || || style=";" |@ Orioles || 1–1 (6) || || || || — || style=";" |45,581 || 41–27 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 70 || June 18 || || style=";" |@ Orioles || 7–0 || Oliver (6–2) || Mercker || — || || style=";" |47,318 || 42–27 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 71 || June 19 || || style=";" |@ Orioles || 3–2 || Witt (7–5) || Mussina || Russell (1) || || style=";" |45,581 || 43–27 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 72 || June 20 || || style=";" |@ Orioles || 2–3 || Wells || Gross (7–5) || Myers || || style=";" |21,748 || 43–28 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 73 || June 21 || || Red Sox || 14–4 || Hill (8–5) || Minchey || — || || 40,726 || 44–28 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 74 || June 22 || || Red Sox || 8–2 || Pavlik (10–1) || Wakefield || — || || 46,444 || 45–28 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 75 || June 23 || || Red Sox || 4–6 || Stanton || Cook (3–1) || Slocumb || || 39,399 || 45–29 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 76 || June 24 || || style=";" |Orioles || 3–8 || Mussina || Witt (7–6) || — || || style=";" |39,701 || 45–30 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 77 || June 25 || || style=";" |Orioles || 5–2 || Gross (8–5) || Wells || Henneman (19) || || style=";" |41,685 || 46–30 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 78 || June 26 || || style=";" |Orioles || 6–5 || Cook (4–1) || Orosco || Henneman (20) || || style=";" |38,984 || 47–30 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 79 || June 28 || || @ Mariners || 8–19 || Carmona || Pavlik (10–2) || — || || 34,413 || 47–31 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 80 || June 29 || || @ Mariners || 9–5 || Oliver (7–2) || Meacham || — || || 37,556 || 48–31 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 81 || June 30 || || @ Mariners || 3–4 || Hitchcock || Witt (7–7) || Charlton || || 33,392 || 48–32 || |- |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 82 || July 1 || || @ Angels || 8–6 || Gross (9–5) || Langston || Henneman (21) || || 19,754 || 49–32 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 83 || July 2 || || @ Angels || 5–6 || James || Henneman (0–6) || — || || 19,055 || 49–33 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 84 || July 3 || || @ Angels || 8–1 || Pavlik (11–2) || Finley || — || || 45,979 || 50–33 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 85 || July 4 || || Mariners || 5–9 || Carmona || Henneman (0–7) || — || || 46,668 || 50–34 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 86 || July 5 || || Mariners || 3–6 || Hitchcock || Witt (7–8) || — || || 46,397 || 50–35 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 87 || July 6 || || Mariners || 5–9 || Wagner || Gross (9–6) || — || || 46,458 || 50–36 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 88 || July 7 || || Mariners || 8–3 || Hill (9–5) || Wells || — || || 36,933 || 51–36 || |- style=background:#bbbfff |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 89 || July 11 || || @ Athletics || 3–8 || Chouinard || Oliver (7–3) || — || || 13,437 || 51–37 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 90 || July 12 || || @ Athletics || 8–4 (10) || Russell (2–1) || Taylor || — || || 12,074 || 52–37 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 91 || July 13 || || @ Athletics || 8–1 || Pavlik (12–2) || Wengert || — || || 16,792 || 53–37 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 92 || July 14 || || @ Athletics || 1–9 || Johns || Gross (9–7) || — || || 20,704 || 53–38 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 93 || July 15 || || Angels || 7–10 || Schmidt || Brandenburg (1–1) || Percival || || 45,655 || 53–39 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 94 || July 16 || || Angels || 6–2 || Oliver (8–3) || Abbott || Russell (2) || || 34,680 || 54–39 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 95 || July 17 || || Angels || 7–3 || Hill (10–5) || Finley || — || || 44,220 || 55–39 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 96 || July 18 || || Athletics || 4–5 (11) || Reyes || Brandenburg (1–2) || Van Poppel || || 28,585 || 55–40 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 97 || July 19 || || Athletics || 6–9 || Reyes || Helling (1–2) || Taylor || || 37,455 || 55–41 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 98 || July 20 || || Athletics || 8–4 || Witt (8–8) || Van Poppel || — || || 46,052 || 56–41 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 99 || July 21 || || Athletics || 8–11 || Groom || Brandenburg (1–3) || Mohler || || 36,039 || 56–42 || |- style="background:#bfb;" |- style="background:#fbb;" |- style="background:#fbb;" |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 103 || July 25 || || @ White Sox || 4–3 (12) || Russell (3–1) || Keyser || Henneman (22) || || 19,524 || 58–44 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 104 || July 26 || || @ White Sox || 2–6 || Alvarez || Oliver (8–4) || — || || 21,398 || 58–45 || |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 105 || July 27 || || @ White Sox || 6–4 (10) || Heredia (2–3) || Simas || Vosberg (6) || || 22,629 || 59–45 || |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 106 || July 28 || || @ White Sox || 1–5 || Fernandez || Pavlik (12–4) || — || || 20,902 || 59–46 || |- style="background:#bfb;"

Detailed records

Postseason Game log

|- style="background:#bfb;" |- style="background:#fbb;" |- style="background:#fbb;"

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

ALDS

Main article: 1996 American League Division Series

Game 1, October 1

Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York

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Game 2, October 2

Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York

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Game 3, October 4

The Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas

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Game 4, October 5

The Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas

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Awards and honors

• Kevin Elster, Comeback Player of The Year
• Juan González, AL MVP
• Juan González, Silver Slugger Award
• Johnny Oates, AL Managers of the Year (was co-manager with Joe Torre)
• Iván Rodríguez, C, Gold Glove
• Iván Rodríguez, Silver Slugger Award All-Star Game

Notes

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Oklahoma City

Hudson Valley affiliation shared with Tampa Bay Devil Rays

References

• 1996 Texas Rangers at Baseball Reference
• 1996 Texas Rangers at Baseball Almanac

References

1. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/p/podsesc01.shtml Scott Podsednik] at ''Baseball Reference''
2. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hillke01.shtml Ken Hill] at ''Baseball Reference''
3. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hennemi01.shtml Mike Henneman] at ''Baseball Reference''
4. "Kevin Elster Stats".
5. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/v/voigtja01.shtml Jack Voigt] at ''Baseball Reference''
6. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hafnetr01.shtml Travis Hafner] at ''Baseball Reference''
7. [https://www.baseball-reference.com/s/stantmi02.shtml Mike Stanton] at ''Baseball Reference''
8. "1996 Texas Rangers Schedule & Results".
9. "1996 American League Division Series".