Angels–Rangers rivalry
First meetingMay 5, 1961
Wrigley Field
Senators 6, Angels 2
Latest meetingSeptember 27, 2023
Angel Stadium
Rangers 5, Angels 0
Next meetingMay 17, 2024
Globe Life Field
Statistics
Meetings total993
Most winsAngels
Regular season seriesAngels, 509–484 (.513)[1]
Postseason resultsN/A
Largest victoryAngels: 20–4 (1995)
Rangers: 18–2 (1993)
Longest win streak
  • Angels: 9 (1985–1986, 2014)
  • Rangers: 7 (1987–1988, 2013)
Current win streakRangers, 1
Post-season history

The Angels–Rangers rivalry is a Major League Baseball (MLB) divisional rivalry played between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers as both teams play in the American League West Division. The rivalry has been said to have developed over a domination in the division between the two teams, and also in recent years more animosity between the two teams due to multiple players who have played for both, including Nolan Ryan, Mike Napoli, Darren Oliver, Vladimir Guerrero, C. J. Wilson, and Josh Hamilton. Both teams often fought for control of the division, primarily during the 2000s and 2010s though both teams entered the present decade fighting for relevance as neither side has appeared in the postseason since 2016. The Angels and Rangers have each pitched a perfect game against each other, making them the only pair of MLB teams to have done so. Mike Witt pitched a perfect game for the Angels against the Rangers in 1984 at Arlington Stadium and Kenny Rogers for the Rangers against the Angels in 1994. Both teams have yet to face each other in the postseason, the Angels currently lead the series all time 509–484.[2][3]

History

When the original Washington Senators announced their move to Minnesota to become the Twins in 1961, Major League Baseball decided to expand a year earlier than planned to stave off the twin threats of competition from the proposed Continental League and loss of its exemption from the Sherman Antitrust Act. As part of the expansion, the American League added two expansion teams for the 1961 season–the Los Angeles Angels and a new Washington Senators team. The new Senators and Angels began competing to fill their rosters with American League players in an expansion draft. Following an apathetic fan response in Washington, owner Bob Short would relocate the Rangers to Arlington in 1972, while the Angels managed to move into a new ballpark in 1966. Both teams struggled mightily in their first 2 decades as expansion teams, though both would tie for second place in 1978. The Angels would not appear in the postseason until 1979, while the Rangers would not make a postseason appearance until 1996. Both teams were tied for second place of the division in 1998, however; the Angels would lose 2/4 games against the Athletics and find themselves swept by the Rangers for the final two games of the season, eliminating them from playoff contention. The Rangers would find themselves swept in both 1998 and 1999 by the Yankees, then fail to make a playoff appearance from 2000 to 2010, eventually making back-to-back appearances in both the 2010, and 2011 World Series.[4][5][6] Meanwhile the Angels managed a shocking appearance in the 2002 World Series, beating the San Francisco Giants and securing the franchise's first and only World Series title, though they would begin to struggle mightily under new owner Arte Moreno as the team found themselves losing three times to the Boston Red Sox in 2004, 2007, and 2008. Though the Angels would also manage an appearance in the 2009 ALCS, they would fall to the Yankees in six games. In 2012, then-Angels' pitcher C.J. Wilson played a practical joke on his former Rangers teammate Mike Napoli by tweeting his phone number. Enraged, Napoli began to exchange words with Wilson during the pregame warmups on May 19.[7] The feuds go back to two incidents between Angels second baseman Adam Kennedy and Rangers catcher Gerald Laird trading insults, leading to benches clearing in a brawl between both teams.[8][9][10] The Rangers managed two more appearances in the ALDS, but lost both times to the Toronto Blue Jays.[11][12] The Angels have not posted a winning season since they appeared in the 2014 ALDS in which they were swept by the Kansas City Royals, meanwhile the Rangers managed a return to the postseason in 2023 after seven years out of contention.[13][14]

Season-by-season results

Angels vs. Rangers Season-by-Season Results
1960s (Senators, 80–76)
SeasonSeason seriesat Los Angeles/California Angelsat Washington SenatorsOverall seriesNotes
1961 Angels 10–8 Angels, 6–3 Senators, 5–4 Angels
6–3
First season for Angels and this edition of Senators
1962 Angels 11–7 Angels, 5–4 Angels, 6–3 Angels
21–15
Senators open District of Columbia Stadium
1963 Tie 9–9 Angels, 6–3 Senators, 6–3 Angels
30–24
1964 Angels 10–8 Angels, 6–3 Senators, 5–4 Angels
40–32
1965 Senators 12–6 Senators, 6–3 Senators, 6–3 Angels
46–44
Angels rename to "California Angels" with a month of the season remaining
1966 Senators 11–7 Angels, 5–4 Senators, 7–2 Senators
55–53
Angels relocate to Anaheim and open Angel Stadium
1967 Senators 12–6 Senators, 5–4 Senators, 7–2 Senators
67–59
1968 Angels 12–6 Angels, 7–2 Angels, 5–4 Senators
73–71
1969 Senators 7–5 Tie, 3–3 Senators, 4–2 Senators
80–76
1970s (Senators/Rangers, 79–77)
SeasonSeason seriesat California Angelsat Washington Senators/Texas RangersOverall seriesNotes
1970 Angels 7–5 Tie, 3–3 Angels, 4–2 Senators
85–83
1971 Senators 8–4 Senators, 4–2 Senators, 4–2 Senators
93–87
1972 Angels 10–7 Angels, 6–2 Rangers, 5–4 Rangers
100–97
Senators relocate to Arlington, Texas and rebrand as the "Texas Rangers" and play at Arlington Stadium
1973 California Angels 11–7 Angels, 7–2 Rangers, 5–4 Angels
108–107
1974 Tie 9–9 Angels, 5–4 Rangers, 5–4 Angels
117–116
1975 Tie 9–9 Angels, 5–4 Rangers, 5–4 Angels
126–125
1976 Angels 12–6 Angels, 6–3 Angels, 6–3 Angels
138–131
1977 Rangers 10–5 Tie, 4–4 Rangers, 6–1 Angels
143–141
AL expansion reduces season series to 15 meetings per year
1978 Rangers 10–5 Angels, 4–3 Rangers, 7–1 Rangers
151–148
1979 Rangers 8–5 Angels, 4–3 Rangers, 5–1 Rangers
159–153
1980s (Angels, 68–55)
SeasonSeason seriesat California Angelsat Texas RangersOverall seriesNotes
1980 Angels 11–2 Angels, 5–1 Angels, 6–1 Angels
164–161
1981 Rangers 4–2 Rangers, 2–1 Rangers, 2–1 Angels
166–165
Strike-shortened season
1982 Angels 8–5 Angels, 5–1 Rangers, 4–3 Angels
174–170
1983 Rangers 7–6 Rangers, 4–3 Tie, 3–3 Angels
180–177
1984 Rangers 8–5 Rangers, 5–1 Angels, 4–3 Tie
185–185
Angels' Mike Witt pitches a perfect game against the Rangers
1985 Angels 9–4 Angels, 5–2 Angels, 4–2 Angels
194–189
1986 Angels 8–5 Angels, 4–2 Angels, 4–3 Angels
202–194
1987 Rangers 8–5 Rangers, 5–2 Tie, 3–3 Angels
207–202
1988 Angels 8–5 Angels, 4–2 Angels, 4–3 Angels
215–207
1989 Rangers 7–6 Angels, 4–3 Rangers, 4–2 Angels
221–214
1990s (Angels, 63–61)
SeasonSeason seriesat California/Anaheim Angelsat Texas RangersOverall seriesNotes
1990 California Angels 8–5 Angels, 4–2 Angels, 4–3 Angels
229–219
1991 Texas Rangers 8–5 Rangers, 4–3 Rangers, 4–2 Angels
234–227
1992 California Angels 9–4 Angels, 4–2 Angels, 5–2 Angels
243–231
1993 Texas Rangers 7–6 Angels, 4–3 Rangers, 4–2 Angels
249–238
1994 California Angels 6–4 Angels, 2–1 Angels, 4–3 Angels
255–242
Rangers open The Ballpark in Arlington
Rangers' Kenny Rogers' perfect game
Strike-shortened season. Strike cancels postseason.
1995 Texas Rangers 7–6 Angels, 4–3 Rangers, 4–2 Angels
261–249
1996 Texas Rangers 9–4 Rangers, 4–2 Rangers, 5–2 Angels
265–258
1997 Anaheim Angels 8–4 Tie, 3–3 Angels, 5–1 Angels
273–262
Angels rename to "Anaheim Angels"
1998 Texas Rangers 7–5 Rangers, 4–2 Tie, 3–3 Angels
278–269
Angels' Anaheim Stadium renamed Edison International Field of Anaheim
1999 Tie 6–6 Tie, 3–3 Tie, 3–3 Angels
284–275
2000s (Angels, 100–83)
SeasonSeason seriesat Anaheim Angels/
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
at Texas RangersOverall seriesNotes
2000 Anaheim Angels 7–5 Tie, 3–3 Angels, 4–2 Angels
291–280
2001 Texas Rangers 12–7 Tie, 5–5 Rangers, 7–2 Angels
298–292
MLB changed to an unbalanced schedule in 2001, resulting in 19-20 meetings per year
2002 Anaheim Angels 12–7 Angels, 7–2 Tie, 5–5 Angels
310–299
Angels win 2002 World Series
2003 Texas Rangers 10–9 Angels, 6–4 Rangers, 6–3 Angels
319–309
2004 Texas Rangers 10–9 Rangers, 5–4 Tie, 5–5 Angels
328–319
Angels' Edison International Field of Anaheim renamed Angel Stadium of Anaheim
2005 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 15–4 Angels, 8–1 Angels, 7–3 Angels
343–323
Angels rename to "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim"
Rangers' The Ballpark in Arlington renamed Ameriquest Field in Arlington
2006 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 11–8 Angels, 6–4 Angels, 5–4 Angels
354–331
2007 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 10–9 Angels, 6–3 Rangers, 6–4 Angels
364–340
Rangers' Ameriquest Field in Arlington renamed Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
2008 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 12–7 Tie, 5–5 Angels, 7–2 Angels
376–347
2009 Texas Rangers 11–8 Tie, 5–5 Rangers, 6–3 Angels
384–358
2010s (Tie, 95–95)
SeasonSeason seriesat Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim)at Texas RangersOverall seriesNotes
2010 Texas Rangers 10–9 Angels, 6–3 Rangers, 7–3 Angels
393–368
Rangers lose 2010 World Series
2011 Texas Rangers 12–7 Rangers, 7–3 Rangers, 5–4 Angels
400–380
Rangers lose 2011 World Series
2012 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 10–9 Angels, 5–4 Tie, 5–5 Angels
410–389
2013 Texas Rangers 15–4 Rangers, 6–3 Rangers, 9–1 Angels
414–404
Both AL and NL having balanced teams leads to a balanced schedule of 19 games per season.
2014 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 14–5 Angels, 5–4 Angels, 9–1 Angels
428–409
Rangers' Rangers Ballpark in Arlington renamed Globe Life Park in Arlington
2015 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 12–7 Angels, 5–4 Angels, 7–3 Angels
440–416
2016 Texas Rangers 10–9 Angels, 6–4 Rangers, 6–3 Angels
449–426
Angels name reverts to "Los Angeles Angels"
2017 Texas Rangers 11–8 Rangers, 6–4 Rangers, 5–4 Angels
457–437
2018 Los Angeles Angels 13–6 Angels, 7–2 Angels, 6–4 Angels
470–443
2019 Texas Rangers 10–9 Angels, 6–3 Rangers, 7–3 Angels
479–453
2020s (Rangers, 31–30)
SeasonSeason seriesat Los Angeles Angelsat Texas RangersOverall seriesNotes
2020 Texas Rangers 6–4 Angels, 3–1 Rangers, 5–1 Angels
483–459
Season shortened to 60 games (with 10 meetings) due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Rangers open Globe Life Field
2021 Los Angeles Angels 11–8 Angels, 5–4 Angels, 6–4 Angels
494–467
2022 Texas Rangers 10–9 Angels, 5–4 Rangers, 6–4 Angels
503–477
2023 Texas Rangers 7–6 Rangers, 4–2 Angels, 4–3 Angels
509–484
Schedule structure modified this season to allow every team to play one series against every interleague team. Shortening meetings from 19 to 13 games
Rangers win 2023 World Series
Summary of Results
SeasonSeason seriesat Los Angeles Angelsat Texas RangersNotes
Los Angeles Angels vs Washington Senators Senators 93–87 Angels, 50–40 Senators, 53–37
Los Angeles Angels vs Texas Rangers Angels 422–391 Angels, 226–174 Rangers, 217–196
Overall Regular season games Angels 509–484 Angels, 276–214 Rangers, 270–233

Connections between the teams

NamePosition(s)Angels' tenureRangers' tenure
Nolan Ryan Pitcher 1972–1979 1989–1993
Josh Hamilton Outfielder 2013–2014 2008–2012,
2015
Vladimir Guerrero Right Fielder 2004–2009 2010
Darren Oliver Pitcher 2007–2009 1993–1998
2000–2001
2010–2011
C. J. Wilson Pitcher 2012–2015 2005–2011
Mike Napoli First Baseman/Catcher 2006–2010 2011–2012,
2015, 2017

See also

References

Inline citations
  1. "MLB : Series records : Texas Rangers(H) vs Los Angeles Angels(A)".
  2. "MLB Rivalries: Why L.A. Angels/Texas Rangers Is Better Than Boston/New York".
  3. "Angels-Rangers talk about rivalry".
  4. "Top 12 Moments in Angels-Rangers rivalry".
  5. "Angels, Rangers renew rivalry".
  6. "Rangers-Angels could be budding rivalry".
  7. "C.J. Wilson, Mike Napoli Twitter Feud: Angels Pitcher Tweets Phone Number Of Rangers Catcher". Huffington Post. AOL. March 19, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  8. Grant, Evan (May 11, 2012). "Rangers-Angels rivalry: How did we get here?". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on May 6, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  9. "Angels-Rangers: a nice little developing rivalry".
  10. "One legend rises above blood feud of Rangers-Angels rivalry".
  11. "Hamilton's return adds spice to Angels-Rangers rivalry".
  12. "Angels' poaching of Josh Hamilton for $125M escalates rivalry with the Rangers".
  13. "Rangers renew rivalry with Angels".
  14. "ex gm Jim Bowden: Rangers-Angels rivalry has become as big as Yankees-Red Sox".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.