1996 Texas Rangers season

The Texas Rangers 1996 season involved the Rangers finishing first in the American League West with a record of 90 wins and 72 losses. It would be the first post-season appearance for the Senators/Rangers in franchise history, taking 36 seasons to finally accomplish the feat. This remains the longest amount of time it has ever taken any North American professional sports franchise to make their first playoff appearance. The Rangers would win their first post-season game at Yankee Stadium against the New York Yankees, but would lose the last three games to lose the division series. The one post-season win would be the club's only post-season success until 2010.

Offseason

 * October 8, 1995: Scott Podsednik was sent by the Rangers to the Florida Marlins to complete an earlier deal (the Rangers sent players to be named later to the Marlins for Bobby Witt, and sent Wilson Heredia to the Marlins on August 11) and made on August 8, 1995.
 * December 21, 1995: Ken Hill was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.
 * December 22, 1995: Mike Henneman was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.
 * January 16, 1996: Kevin Elster was signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers.

Notable transactions

 * April 13, 1996: Jack Voigt was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.
 * June 4, 1996: Travis Hafner was drafted by the Rangers in the 31st round of the 1996 Major League Baseball draft. Player signed June 2, 1997.
 * July 31, 1996: Mark Brandenburg and Kerry Lacy were traded by the Rangers to the Boston Red Sox for Mike Stanton and a player to be named later. The Red Sox completed the deal by sending Dwayne Hosey to the Rangers on November 4.

Game log

 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss       = Tie Bold = Rangers team member
 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss       = Tie Bold = Rangers team member

Postseason Game log

 * - style="text-align:center;"
 * Legend:      = Win        = Postponement Bold = Rangers team member

Starters by position
''Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Other batters
''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Game 1, October 1
Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York

Game 2, October 2
Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York

Game 3, October 4
The Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas

Game 4, October 5
The Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas

Awards and honors
All-Star Game
 * Kevin Elster, Comeback Player of The Year
 * Juan González, AL MVP
 * Juan González, Silver Slugger Award
 * Johnny Oates, AL Managers of the Year (was co-manager with Joe Torre)
 * Iván Rodríguez, C, Gold Glove
 * Iván Rodríguez, Silver Slugger Award

Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Oklahoma City

Hudson Valley affiliation shared with Tampa Bay Devil Rays