Rangers Opening Day: World Series champs kick off a new season
ARLINGTON, Texas - The defending World Series champion Texas Rangers are back for another season. The players and fans are hoping it will be just as exciting as it was last year.
The Texas Rangers franchise goes back 53 years. But the team has never embarked on a season like this – one where they are defending a World Series title.
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The Rangers held one final practice on Wednesday before Thursday night’s season opener at Globe Life Field against the Chicago Cubs.
The team is feeling confident, but they fully understand the challenge that lies ahead.
"I’ll tell you this. I believe in this group as much as I believed in the group last year. And I’m super excited to get started here for our fans. It’s going to be a great weekend to celebrate what we accomplished last year," said General Manager Chris Young.
"It’s going to be just a special time not only for us, I think for the fans, front office, everybody. It’s just going to be an exciting series," added Manager Bruce Bochy.
Wednesday was also when the last roster moves were made to get the team down to the 26-player limit.
Jared Walsh will play first base for the injured Nathan Lowe.
Four players were added to the bullpen as starting pitchers Jacob DeGrom and Max Scherzer remain out until the summer with injuries.
Rangers expect World Series MVP Corey Seager and All-Star 3B Josh Jung ready for opening day
World Series MVP Corey Seager and All-Star third baseman Josh Jung are expected to be in the lineup on opening day Thursday for the Texas Rangers.
World Series MVP Corey Seager and All-Star third baseman Josh Jung are expected to be in the lineup despite injuries and limited play during spring training.
And, rookie Wyatt Langford made the opening day roster after hitting an impressive six home runs during spring training.
Bochy said assembling the 26-man roster wasn't easy.
"It's the worst part of the job is that week of spring training when you start trimming down the roster to the guys who are on the cuffs of making the club. And having to send them down is never easy, especially when guys do all they can to make the club," he said.
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What's changed for the Texas Rangers since last year's World Series win?
For the first time in the team’s history, the Texas Rangers are starting a season as World Series champions.
"And it was the most competition I've ever seen in a spring training internally. We had so many guys who pitched great, who performed great, and a lot of hard conversations this week," Young added.
The Rangers are starting the season with three home games against the Cubs before heading out for their first road trip.
Thursday night's game is a sellout.
Pregame festivities planned for Rangers opening day
After a not-so-long off season, the Texas Rangers are set to take the field for their 53rd home opener against the Chicago Cubs. Good Day's Paige Ellenberger talked to announcer Chuck Morgan about the lineup of pregame festivities planned like a formal ceremony presenting the championship trophy, a special presentation of the flag, and more.
The first pitch is set for 6:39 p.m. Before that, the team will be presented with the Commissioner’s Trophy for winning the 2023 World Series.
Then a World Series banner will be unfurled. It will hang on a flagpole beyond the right-field wall in the ballpark.
Rangers legend and Hall of Famer Pudge Rodriguez will catch the ceremonial first pitch, which will be thrown by a longtime Rangers fan who’s been there for all the team’s ups and downs over the last half-century.
Texas Rangers superfan picked to throw out first pitch on opening day
A longtime Texas Rangers fan has the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Thursday’s season opener. It’s the team’s way of saying thank you to fans for their loyalty over the years.
The team’s coveted, bejeweled championship rings will also be bestowed on the defending champs before Saturday’s game at Globe Life Field.
Texas Rangers Opening Day Lineup
- Marcus Semien, 2B
- Corey Seager, SS
- Josh Jung, 3B
- Adolis Garcia, RF
- Wyatt Langford, DH
- Jonah Heim, C
- Ezequiel Duran, 1B
- Evan Carter, LF
- Leody Tavarez, CF
RHP Nathan Eovaldi will start for the Rangers.
Will the roof be open at Globe Life Field?
Globe Life Field announced that the roof will be closed for tonight's game.
Fans return to Globe Life Field
The last time many fans were at Globe Life Field in Arlington was for the parade.
When the doors opened at 3:30 p.m. the Rangers faithful were already in line for hours.
From the expensive seats to standing room only tickets, fans said they had to be in Arlington for the big night.
For some it is a very emotional day.
"It’s very, very special to see. My allergies are bothering me because I am already tearing up and whatever because I have been waiting so long," said Rangers fan Matthew Day.
"My grandma took me to games, and she passed away before they won, and it means a lot to me. I was a kid, I went to all the promotions and got all the shirts, bobble heads and stuff they gave away, and it made me more of a fan," said Rangers fan Jason Hicks.
The much-awaited World Series banner will be revealed shortly before first pitch.
Globe Life Field adds new menu items
Fans will have new food options at Globe Life Field for the 2024 season.
The ballpark added several new items to the concession menu, including the Boomstick Triple Play, Texas Tacos, Korean Pork Steamed Buns, Ranchero Chile Relleno Dawwg, Chicken Empanadas, and Meatball Garlic Knot Sliders.
Whataburger coming to Globe Life Field
It doesn't get much more Texan than watching Rangers baseball while enjoying some Whataburger.
Local vendors will also have a chance to serve fans at the stadium’s Arlington Eats section.
And for the first time ever, Whataburger will be sold during the games.
World Series exhibit opens inside Globe Life Field
A new exhibit at Globe Life Field commemorates the Rangers' World Series win.
It includes the baseball used to get the final out, the bat used by slugger Adolis Garcia, and a jersey worn by World Series MVP Corey Seager.
The exhibit also pays tribute to the 1995 MLB All-Star game held in Arlington.
Arlington businesses excited about 2024 Rangers season
Rob Matwick, the executive vice president of business operations for the Texas Rangers, talks about preparations for opening day and the excitement around this season. The team's World Series win has had a big impact on the city of Arlington and the Arlington Entertainment District.
Rangers gold gear now available at Academy
Fans looking to buy gear from the Texas Rangers' gold collection have a new option. It's now being sold at Academy stores across North Texas.
That includes hats, jerseys, t-shirts, and accessories with gold trim designed to commemorate the team's World Series win.
Gold collection merch is also available at Globe Life Field or online.