Saturday, September 28, 1996

Rangers clinch title even with loss to Angels
By DENNE H. FREEMAN
Associated Press

ARLINGTON - The Texas Rangers took the lead in the AL West during the third week of April and were only out of first place for four days.

But clinching a postseason berth for the first time in the franchise's 36-year history wasn't easy, and they didn't do it until Seattle's 8-1 loss to Oakland on Friday night gave the Texas the AL West title.

When the Rangers clinched, they were in the field during the top of the 13th inning of their game against California, with the score tied 2-2. Texas went on to lose 4-3 in 15 innings.

The crowd of 46,764, a record for the three-year-old Ballpark in Arlington, gave the team a standing ovation when Seattle's final score was posted on the scoreboard down the left-field line.

While there wasn't any reaction from players on the field, the Rangers in the first-base dugout shook hands and general manager Doug Melvin flashed a wide smile from his luxury suite.

Texas Gov. George Bush, one of the team's owners, stood and applauded as did Rangers president Tom Schieffer.

In the middle of the 13th, the large scoreboard in right field flashed "1996 American League West Champions."

When the inning ended, catcher Ivan Rodriguez hugged other players in the Rangers dugout.

After Kurt Stillwell took a called third strike that ended the game, the Rangers came onto the field to salute their fans as fireworks exploded overhead. Schieffer sprayed the players with champagne as they returned to the dugout.

Texas was in first place in 1994 when the strike ended the season.

The franchise began as the expansion Washington Senators in 1961 and moved to Arlington following the 1971 season. The Rangers finished second in the AL West in 1974, 1977, 1978, 1986 and 1993.

Texas, which opens the playoffs either at the New York Yankees or the Chicago White Sox, led its division most of the season but didn't clinch until its 160th game.

The Rangers built a nine-game lead with 17 to play but ran into a hot Seattle team which swept a four-game series in the Kingdome. The Mariners were within one game on Sept. 20.

But John Burkett threw a seven-hitter the next day and the Rangers got back on track with a 7-1 win over California. Burkett, picked up from Florida in an August trade, went 5-2 down the stretch.

"That's one thing that was impressive about this team this year," Mickey Tettleton said. "The toughest losses didn't carry over and there was never any panic. We came out of spring training with a quiet confidence and we kept it."

Texas saved its best for the toughest teams. The Rangers were 7-5 against New York, 8-4 against Cleveland and 10-3 against Baltimore, the other probable AL postseason teams.

The Rangers led the AL in fielding. They had five pitchers with 10 wins or more, leading the majors in that category.

Manager Johnny Oates preached defense and the team set an AL record with 15 straight errorless games.

"It's exciting to lead the league in defense because prior to us coming here the Rangers weren't known too much for their defense," Oates said. "These guys have taken a great deal of pride in their defense. It's gratifying to see the results."

Texas got 70 wins from its starters.

"Back in spring training, Johnny said he would like to see his starters win 15 each and everybody laughed," Bobby Witt said. "The addition of Mike Stanton from Boston solidified our bullpen."
Stanton was obtained on July 31 and gave the Rangers another solid left-handed reliever.

The Rangers had three players with 100 RBI or more for the first time: Juan Gonzalez, Rusty Greer and Dean Palmer.

Rodriguez set a major league record for doubles by a catcher with 47 and threw out nearly half the runners attempting to steal against him.

Texas got big years out of shortstop Kevin Elster, signed as a free agent, and center fielder Darryl Hamilton. Elster had 23 homers, breaking Toby Harrah's club record for shortstops, and Hamilton was error-free in center field.

Gonzalez set team records with 47 homers and 144 RBI despite missing several weeks with injuries.

"We had a bunch of guys pulling together all year," Oates said. "That's why we were able to hang in there until the end."

Ken Hill, obtained as a free agent, gave the Rangers 16 wins while Roger Pavlik and Witt had 15 each.

Second baseman Mark McLemore's steady defense gave Texas one of the best double-play combinations in the league.

"This is one of the best teams I've been on," he said. "Everybody gets along, has fun with each other. I like the chemistry on this team."