Record 95–67 (.586) Manager(s) Jeff Banister | Divisional place 1st | |
Owner(s) Rangers Baseball Express (Ray Davis and Bob R. Simpson) Local television Fox Sports Southwest
(Steve Busby, Tom Grieve, Dave Raymond) Local radio KRLD 105.3 FM (English)
(Eric Nadel, Matt Hicks, Dave Raymond, Jared Sandler)
KZMP 1540 AM (Spanish)
(Eleno Orlenas, Jerry Romo) | ||
The 2016 Texas Rangers season was the Rangers' 56th season of the franchise and the 45th since the team relocated to Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won the American League (AL) West championship for the second straight season, with the best record in the AL. However, for the second straight year, they lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in the Division Series, this time in three games.
Contents
Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: High Desert
Blue Jays–Rangers brawl
During the May 15, 2016, game against the Toronto Blue Jays, there were two benches-clearing incidents. Following a contentious meeting in the ALDS the previous season, many people thought the Rangers would target Jose Bautista for his controversial bat flip in the ALDS. However, the first six games of the season between the clubs were played without incident. Finally, in the last regular season game between the clubs, Rangers reliever Matt Bush hit Bautista in the ribs with a fastball. On the ensuing play, Bautista slid hard into Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor. Odor, taking exception, pushed Bautista, then proceeded to punch Bautista squarely in the face. This fight caused both benches and bullpens to clear. Bautista, Odor, Steve Buechele, and Josh Donaldson were ejected after the brawl. Later in the game, Blue Jays pitcher Jesse Chavez hit Prince Fielder with a pitch causing the benches to clear again, although this time no punches were thrown. Chavez and DeMarlo Hale were ejected following this incident. Odor would serve a seven game suspension for his actions. Toronto manager John Gibbons and Chavez would serve three games suspensions while Bautista and Elvis Andrus served one game suspensions.