10 Texas Rangers Records that may never be broken

The Texas Rangers organization has been in existence since 1961 when the team was located in Washington and called the Senators.  During more than 60 seasons of play, the team and players have established many records.  Some of these records have been broken time and again.  Others have remained for decades.

Although records are made to be broken, here is a list of the top-10 records that have been in around for a long time and may never be broken in Texas Rangers history.

And be sure to check out some of our other top-10 lists!

10 unbreakable Texas Rangers records- Strikeouts by a pitcher

The strikeout king, Nolan Ryan, had a MLB record 5,714 strikeouts during a 27 year career.  In 1973, while pitching for the California Angels, Ryan had a remarkable 383 strikeouts.  Ryan had over 300 strikeouts on six occasions (1972-1974, 1976-1977, 1989), and led the AL in strikeouts nine times and the NL twice.  In 1989, Ryan recorded 301 strikeouts while pitching for Texas. Not only is this a Rangers record, the closest any pitcher has come to this record occurred in 2013 when Yu Darvish had 277. Ryan remains one of the best pitchers in Texas Rangers history, as well.

Home Runs by a DH

In 1999, Rafael Palmeiro tied the AL record when he hit 37 home runs in 128 games, as the designated hitter of the Rangers.  During his career, Palmeiro primarily played played 1B but, in 1999, the Rangers had Lee Stevens at 1B so, Palmeiro was used at DH for the majority of the season.  In 20 seasons in MLB, Palmeiro hit 569 home runs.  After 22 years, the AL record for home runs by a designated hitter remains at 37 and Palmiero remains in both the AL and Texas Rangers record books.

Lead MLB in Innings Pitched in a season

In 1987, Charlie Hough led all of MLB with 285.1 innings pitched in one season.  To this day, this is the 2nd highest total in Texas Rangers history.  What is unique about this feat, is that Hough was 39 years, 9 months old when he led the MLB in innings pitched.  This was the only time in Hough’s long career where he led the league in innings pitched.  Today, this record remains one of baseball’s most unique and challenging records to break.

Most starts at the beginning of a career without a complete game

From 1986 to 1987, Bobby Witt established a MLB and Texas Rangers record when he pitched in 55 consecutive games without registering a complete game to start his career. Today, this is not only a Texas Rangers record, it remains an AL record as well.  In 397 career starts, Witt ended up pitching 47 complete games.  Another interesting fact is that Witt had a career best 13 complete games in 22 starts during the 1988 season, one year after establishing his MLB record for not being able to complete any games.  In 2021, the Rangers were the only team in MLB that did not have a starting pitcher with a complete game.

Most games pitched by a rookie

In 1986, Mitch Williams established an AL and Texas Rangers record that may never be broken.  Williams pitched in 80 games (98.0 IP) as a rookie. In 1987, Williams established another Rangers record as he pitched in 85 games (108.2 IP).  Both records will be difficult for anyone to break but, the rookie record established in 1986 will be the toughest to break in the future.  In 2021, Brett Martin pitched in an admirable 66 games for the Rangers.  This total ranks 39th in Rangers history.

Most stolen bases by a rookie

In 1978, Bump Wills established a Rangers record of stealing 52 bases. Today this is one of the longest standing records in the Rangers record book.  During the last 25 years, the closest anyone ever managed to get to the record occurred when Elvis Andrus had 42 stolen bases in 2013.  Interestingly, Rangers MILB player Jayce Easley led all of MILB with 70 steals in 2021.  If Easley could ever make it to the majors, he could possibly challenge the Rangers record that Wills has held for the last 43 years.

Most innings pitched in one season

In 1974, Fergie Jenkins started 41 games (tied with Jim Bibby as a Rangers record).  The record that may never be broken is the 328.1 innings Jenkins completed.  Pitchers are not used the same way today as they were in the 1970’s making this record almost impossible to beat.  During his career, Jenkins pitched more than 300 innings on five occasions.  To give you some perspective, the most any Rangers pitcher completed in 2021 was the 180.0 innings Jordan Lyles pitched in 30 starts.

Most home runs in two consecutive and three consecutive games

Alex Rodriguez has most of the Texas Rangers records for home runs.  In 2001, Rodriguez hit 52 home runs to break the previous record of 48 established by Frank Howard in 1969, when he was a member of the Washington Senators.  One year later, Rodriguez hit 57 home runs, a record that continues to stand today.  The record (also tied a MLB record) that might never be broken is the five home runs Rodriguez hit over a two-game span from August 17-18 in 2002.  The three game AL record was also established during this amazing run when Rodriguez hit six home runs against the Toronto Blue Jays from August 16-18 in 2002.

Most RBI’s in one season

Juan Gonzalez has most of the career home run and RBI records in Rangers history.  The record that seems to be the most difficult to break is the 157 RBI’s (in 154 games) that Gonzalez recorded in 1998. What is even more amazing is that Gonzalez actually had 100 RBI’s by the all-star break in July.  Gonzalez has four of the top nine greatest RBI totals in Rangers history.  During his 1,400 games as a Rangers slugger, Gonzalez knocked in an amazing 1,180 runs.  Rafael Palmiero is the only other Texas player to eclipse 1,000 RBI’s (1,038) while wearing a Rangers uniform.