History in the making.
The Rangers took three of four from the White Sox, two of three from the Mariners, and two of three from the Angels, before hitting the road.
On their return home two weeks later, they took two of three each from Red Sox and Orioles, and left town again.
When they came back, they swept the Yankees in three, took three of four from the Twins, and beat the Indians twice in three tries.
After another road trip, Texas returned to Arlington and won three of four games against the A’s.
There was no red in the uniform, other than the stitching that minimally outlined the numbers and letters on the home whites and the cap.
There was not a stadium at 1000 Ballpark Way. At least not a functional one, yet.
Nolan Ryan recorded one of those wins over Chicago, and one of those wins over the Angels, who were called “California,” and took the club’s one loss against the Twins, in his return from a three-week stay on the disabled list, a few weeks before he would retire.
The above stretch of home games lasted from August 2 through September 20 of 1993.
It was the last time the Rangers won nine straight series at home, until last night’s pounding of the Mariners, setting up a chance to today to sweep the club’s closest AL West competitor, which came into this set of three tied with Texas atop the division.
It also turns out, remarkably, that this is the first road series Seattle has lost all season.
Texas is now 33-22, which the easy math says is a .600 winning clip.
That paces out to 97 victories, which would set a franchise record.
To set a club mark for consecutive series wins at home, breaking the one that they’ve now matched in this series, the Rangers will need to win at least three of four when Houston visits tomorrow through Thursday.
Texas will miss Lance McCullers. Houston will miss Derek Holland.
Those two pitch this afternoon, seeking to help their teams sweep a division opponent.
Texas made some history last night, dating back to a time when Nolan Ryan was its emblematic player.
Nolan Ryan is almost 70.
There’s a budding sense that the Rangers aren’t finished this year making franchise history.
Perhaps the ultimate type.