Arlington Stadium’s Memorable Moments

Soon to be bulldozed into oblivion, that which once was Arlington Stadium becomes a custodian of memories, and as such, joins Ebbets Field, Sportsman Park, Baker Bowl, Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium, League Park, Shibe Park, Griffith Stadium, the Polo Grounds, and Braves Field as gone-but-to-be-remembered places where some of the game’s most exciting stories were written.

It may have lacked architectural perfection and wasn’t the scene of a World Series or championship playoff game. Nonetheless an unimposing ballyard between Dallas and Fort Worth played a special role in the lives of the millions so fortunate as to pass through its turnstiles. There was the homey intimacy, the community, and neighborhood atmosphere that would transcend the game itself and contribute to a sharp curtailment of the long-standing nonsense associated with the historic rivalry of the two cities.

With that out of the way, it is appropriate to select Arlington Stadium’s 10 most memorable moments:

1. April 21, 1972: Frank Howard’s tape measure home run in the first game ever. His blast was last seen passing over the General Motors plant. The Rangers won that opener from the California Angels, 7-6.
2. June 27, 1973: David Clyde’s debut and the first American League sellout. Score: Texas 4,  Minnesota, 3.
3. August 30, 1974: Dave Nelson stole second, third and home in the same baserunning sequence on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The result? Cleveland 7, Texas 3.
4. April 9, 1976: On Opening Day 1976, President Gerald Ford threw out first pitch. Score of game: Texas 2, Minnesota, 1.
5. September 30, 1984: Mike Witt’s perfect game as Angels blanked Rangers, 1-0.
6. August 25, 1986: Geno Petralli’s dramatic pinch home run which beat Roger Clemens. The score: Texas 4, Boston 2.
7. August 22, 1989: Nolan Ryan’s strikeout of Rickey Henderson for #5,000 as the A’s defeat Rangers, 2-0.
8. May 1, 1991: Nolan Ryan’s seventh no-hitter. The score: Texas 3, Toronto 0.
9. August 4, 1993: Ryan’s headlock on Robin Ventura. Rangers won to stay in race: Texas 5, Chicago 2.
10. October 3, 1993: Capacity crowd says good-bye to Arlington Stadium and Cooperstown-bound George Brett and Nolan Ryan. Score: Kansas City 4, Texas 1.