2011 Texas Rangers season
The offense, always considered a strong point for the team, would also have another good year with three players getting 30+ home runs, and Ian Kinsler completing his second 30–30 season.
The Rangers won their second straight AL West title, and beat the Tampa Bay Rays in four games and the Detroit Tigers in six to advance to the World Series.
They lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games, their second straight defeat in the Fall Classic, becoming the first team to lose back-to-back World Series since the Atlanta Braves in 1991 and 1992.
"[2] After an extended process which included a flight by principal owner Chuck Greenberg, team investor Ray Davis, and assistant GM Thad Levine to meet with Lee, his wife, and agent following the winter meeting, Lee signed a five-year deal with the Phillies to return to the team which traded him away at the start of the 2010 season.
The rehab time for the surgery will prevent Feldman from returning to compete for a rotation spot for the start of the season.
[5] Feldman was the Texas Rangers' pitcher of the year in 2009 and opening day starter for 2010, but failed to repeat his success in 2010 after signing a three-year extension.
With an infield and outfield set, and multiple players able to cover in different positions, the rotation and bullpen would be the biggest questions for the front office to handle.
Free agent Brandon Webb would continue to prepare for a return to baseball, but would not be ready in time for opening day and would start the season on the disabled list.
An injury to Hunter[12] would place him on the disabled list to start the season, and Matt Harrison, who had earned the fourth spot, would be moved to third.
The remaining candidates, Derek Holland, Michael Kirkman, Eric Hurley, and closer Neftalí Feliz, would continue to compete for the final two spots.
Ian Kinsler would make Major League history by being the first player to hit a lead off home run in the first two games of a season.
[19] As a result of the rainout versus Baltimore on April 8, starter Colby Lewis pitched one day later than scheduled.
Whitt pointed out a starter only gets thirty or so chances to impact a baseball game, and since players are paid millions, the birth of a child should be planned for the off season if need be.
On April 15 the Rangers and pitcher Matt Harrison would tie the MLB record by turning 6 double plays in the game.
Rule 5 draft pick Mason Tobin would leave the April 19 game with an injury and be placed on the 60-day DL the next day.
Closer Neftalí Feliz would be sent to the 15-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation on April 23 and Darren O'Day would go on the 60-day DL with a torn labrum in his hip.
After several weeks of speculation, the Rangers signed Cuban defect Leonys Martín on May 4 for a $15.5 million major league contract and added him to the 40-man roster.
Off the field, on May 26 the Rangers officially removed rookie play-by-play man John Rhadigan from the TV booth and sent him back to the Fox Sports Southwest post-game and pre-game show.
Rhadigan had moved to the TV booth to replace long-time play-by-play game caller Josh Lewin, whose contract expired at the end of the 2010 season.
Beat writer Evan Grant reported after the dismissal one example taking place between Bosley and catcher Yorvit Torrealba.
Record (month, year) 18–9, 61–48 After ending July 3 tied for first place with the Angels, the Rangers entered the all-star break on a 7-game winning streak.
[24] The following day, Washington pinch hit Mike Napoli for designated hitter Michael Young in the 8 inning of a 13–4 win over the Orioles.
It was the second time in Washington's tenure as Rangers' manager that he pinch hit for a batter who was one potential at bat away from completing the cycle.
Prior to the non-waiver trading deadline the Rangers picked up Koji Uehara from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Chris Davis and Mike Adams from the San Diego Padres.
Stone, who was in attendance with his son, attempted to catch the ball by leaning over the guardrail when he lost his balance and fell head first between the divider separating the left field wall and the stands.
The Rangers started a Shannon Stone memorial fund for the family and plans to place a monument at the homeplate entrance of a father and son walking into the ballpark.
This decision did create some criticizing from media and fans, especially those who wanted Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia selected.
Record (month, year) 19–6, 96–66 On Friday, September 23, the Rangers (playing at home) defeated the Mariners by a score of 5–3 and moving the magic number to 1 game.
Because the Angels had a scheduled start on the west coast, approximately 12,000 fans stayed inside Rangers Ballpark watching the outcome of that game on the scoreboard.
In a familiar scene, the Rangers celebrated using ginger ale on-field with Josh Hamilton, but later sprayed each other with champagne once inside the locker room.
