George W. Bush becomes Managing Partner

Meanwhile, in April of 1989, the Rangers' owner, Eddie Chiles, sold the team to an investment group headed by future President of the United States George W. Bush. Bush would serve as the Rangers' managing partner until he was elected Governor of Texas in 1994. During this time, the Rangers and the City of Arlington decided to construct a new stadium to replace the aging Arlington Stadium. Ground was broken on October 30, 1991 on what would become The Ballpark in Arlington (now named Rangers Ballpark in Arlington).

So there's this great story about how W took control of the Texas Rangers and turned a crappy team around. Let's take a look at that. W runs the team from 89 to the end of the strike shortened season in 94. Starting in 1993, baseball expanded to its current format of three divisions in each league, with the Rangers in the AL West. To put this another way, Bush's teams for the first three years finished no better than third, but hey, we'll cut him some slack, he's taking over from the previous guys, and when the split happens, he finishes second (of four teams) and was #1 in the division! Oh wait, he was #1 with a LOSING RECORD! Well that doesn't look all that good all of a sudden.

So let's take a look at the roster. Palmiero, he was pretty good right? Trade made by the prior owners. Kevin Brown? Already there. Juan Gonzalez? Already there. Pudge Rodriguez? Already there. Julio Franco? Already there. Sierra? Same. Nolan? Yep, he was there too. Hey Jamie Moyer! He was there! Yep, and the team gave him an outright release.

Now, W did bring in Will Clark, but wait, he also brought in Jose Canseco.

Forget it. He built a loser just like every other thing he put his hands on.

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