MLB
When was the last time the Texas Rangers went to the World Series?
More than a decade has passed since the last time the baseball team from Arlington, Texas, has played in an MLB World Series game against the Cardinals.
The Texas Rangers had a successful 2011 season, marking their 51st season in the franchise’s history and their 40th season since relocating to Arlington, Texas. They were the defending American League champions at the start of the season. Despite playing during one of the hottest summers in Texas, they claimed their second consecutive American League West division title, with a record of 96 wins and a .593 winning percentage, which broke the previous record set in 1999. They also set a new franchise record for home attendance, with 2,946,949 fans at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
The team’s starting pitching and defense had improved, giving the Rangers the most shutouts in the American League, with all five members of the opening-day starting rotation remaining in their position for the entire year. The offense also had another excellent year, with three players hitting 30+ home runs and Ian Kinsler completing his second 30-30 season. C. J. Wilson tied for the league lead in starts with 34, while Derek Holland tied for second in shutouts with four, which was tied for first in the American League. Both pitchers had at least 13 wins.
The Rangers won their second consecutive AL West title and beat the Tampa Bay Rays in four games and the Detroit Tigers in six to advance to the 2011 World Series. They lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games, becoming the first team to lose back-to-back World Series since the Atlanta Braves in 1991 and 1992. The World Series was memorable for the Rangers, being one strike away from winning the series twice in Game 6 with a two-run lead each time before ultimately losing to the Cardinals 10-9 in an 11-inning thriller. They lost Game 7 by a score of 6-2.
Until now, the Rangers possessed the second-longest World Series win drought after the Cleveland Indians and the second-longest amount of time it has taken a North American professional sports franchise to win its first league title after the Philadelphia Phillies. This has led many to consider the Rangers among the most-cursed North American pro sports teams. After beating the Astros in the 2023 ALCS, 12 years after their last World Series appearance, they will have the chance to break the curse and get that Championship ring this year.