In 1979 the Rangers had a 5-game lead in the division at the All-Star break. They had just swept the Angels and Nolan Ryan at old Arlington Stadium, and looked unbeatable.
The Rangers were led by their off-season trade of Oscar Gamble. In October of 1978 the Rangers traded fan favorite Mike Hargrove, Kurt Bevacqua, and Bill Fahey to San Diego for Oscar. During his 64 games at Texas he had a .335 BA, .458 OBP, 8 HR’s, and 32 RBI. The Rangers were rolling, and it was clear that the Rangers had finally found their team leader.
The team had a glaring weakness in center field, and had to do something. The Yankees came calling and traded half their farm system along with Mickey Rivers to the Rangers for Oscar. Rivers did add a tremendous help to the outfield, but the Rangers lost their biggest bat and Mr. Clutch.
They went on to finish the 1979 with a record of 83-79, but finished 3rd in the division behind the Angles, and Royals.
With all the tough times this team has been through this year, the team seems more like a Ghost Ship than anything else. The team died early and nobody is at the helm now with Wash gone. All the guys that brought the team titles, bringing nightly excitement to the park are gone too.
So where does this team go from here?
Many are speculating on trading Elvis Andrus, and others away to gain some bats. There are any number of opinions on the potential for trades. Those ideas are all great, and it is fun to play my ideal lineup. The reality is that to get what you want you have to give up something. That trade for Rivers for Gamble had a host of other players involved. None of those guys ever played in the major leagues. Not a single one threw a pitch, or took a swing. Names like Ray Fontenot (had a couple of years in the show), Gene Nelson, Robert Polinsky, Neal Mersch, Mark Softy are all relegated to the status of player to be named.
It takes leadership to win along with talent. This team clearly is terrible, and yes the team gets some guys back next year, but before you fill out your dream batting order let’s hope that someone up there uses their head. After all the A’s were in great shape, right up until their traded their best hitter, and since that trade they are one of the worst teams in the league.
Sometimes it is best to hold what you have and add a guy or two the easy way, and not think about trading your good stuff away. The Rangers look to have a clot up the middle with Elvis, Profar, and Odor, but can you really have too much of anything when you team loses 100 games.
For my money, I would say, Nelson Cruz signed a one year deal with Baltimore, go sign him, get your injured guys back, and find a #2 pitcher and I think this team will do much better. Don’t trade just because the grass is greener, it cost the team in 1979, and the team has had enough turmoil this year. JD, are you listening, Billy Beane your hero screwed up, don’t do the same thing!