Page "Texas Rangers (baseball)" Paragraph 17

Bobby Valentine, ( currently the Boston Red Sox manager ) who would eventually become the Rangers ' longest-serving manager at 1, 186 games, became steward over an influx of splendid talent in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

A winning season in 1986 was a shock to pundits and fans alike as the Rangers remained in the race for the American League pennant for the entire season.

With a team consisting of many stellar young rookies such as Rubén Sierra, Pete Incaviglia, Mitch Williams, Bobby Witt, and Edwin Correa, the Rangers finished the season 2nd place with an outstanding 87 – 75 record, just five games behind the division champion California Angels.

The season marked a dramatic 25-win improvement over the 1985 season, which resulted in a yet another last-place finish in the West.

The signing of 41-year-old star pitcher Nolan Ryan prior to the 1989 season allowed Ryan to reach his 5, 000th strikeout, 300th win, and sixth and seventh no-hitters with the Rangers.

Coupled with powerful batters like Juan González, Rubén Sierra, Julio Franco, and Rafael Palmeiro and a pitching staff that also included Charlie Hough, Bobby Witt, Kevin Brown, and Kenny Rogers, fans held really high expectations for the Rangers upcoming season.

However, the team never posted a finish higher than second place and Valentine was relieved of his duties during the 1992 season.